DATA CARRIER CONTAINING THE COMPUTER PROGRAM

TECHNICAL FI ELD

The present invention relates generally to rotary milking parlors. More particularly the invention relates to a measurement system for a rotary milking parlor and a corresponding method. The in vention also relates to a computer program and a non-volatile data carrier. BACKGROUND

A rotary milking parlor, also referred to as a rotolocator, enables efficient milking of larger livestocks. The first rotary milking par lor was put into operation in 1930. Since then , the basic techni cal concept has been gradually refined. To ensure consistent operation and achieve long operating life, it is important to moni tor the movable platform’s function.

There exist various solutions for measuring the platform’s per formance during operation. For example, US 2010/0147221 des cribes an apparatus and methods for operating a carousel mil- king facility with a plurality of milking stations, which are arran ged on a movable platform. Movement of the platform is deter mined in relation to a reference point and the position of at least one milking station can be calculated with a position detection device. It is here proposed that a periodic pattern, visual and/or magnetic, is arranged on the outer periphery of a carousel, whe re the local height of the line and angle on the carousel can be assigned unequivocally by determining the height of the line with the aid of an optical and/or magnetic sensor.

Although this design may be able to determine the platform’s po- sition relatively accurately, no information about performance quality or mechanical health is provided.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention is therefore to solve the above problem and offer an improved measurement solution for a rotary milking parlor.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a measurement system for a rotary milking parlor with a mov able platform. The measurement system contains a movement sensor and a receiver. The movement sensor is arranged on the movable platform, and is configured to register micro movements of the movable platform relative to a fix reference frame. To this aim, the move ment sensor, in turn, includes a first sensor member configured to perform measurements of displacements in at least one di- mension and/or accelerations in at least one dimension. The movement sensor also includes a transmitter configured to emit a wireless sensor signal reflecting the measurements made by the first sensor member. The receiver is configured to receive the wireless sensor signal, and thus allow processing/analysis of said signal.

This control system is advantageous because it enables recor ding of complex movement patterns by means of a small-sized and rugged sensor. Further, it is straightforward to retrofit the proposed measurement system onto an already existing rotary parlor, hence improving this equipment’s chances of a longer service life.

According to one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the movement sensor is configured to check if an amount of micro movements is below a threshold value. If so, the movement sen- sor is further configured to emit the wireless sensor signal re peatedly at a first repetition frequency. If, however, the amount of micro movements is equal to or above the threshold value, the movement sensor is configured to emit the wireless sensor sig nal repeatedly at a repetition frequency above the first repetition frequency. Thereby, the emitted data quantity per unit time can be adapted to the amount of micro movements, such that when- ever there are larger movements, the wireless sensor signal is emitted relatively often, and vice versa.

According to another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the movement sensor is further configured to check if the amount of micro movements of the movement sensor transitions from be- low the threshold value to above the threshold value. If so, the movement sensor is further configured emit the wireless sensor signal from the movement sensor repeatedly at a second repeti tion frequency, and provided that, during a predetermined inter val thereafter the amount of micro movements of the movement sensor is above the threshold value, continue to emit the wire less sensor signal from movement sensor repeatedly at the se cond repetition frequency until expiry of the predetermined inter val. Thereafter, the movement sensor is configured to emit the wireless sensor signal from the movement sensor repeatedly at a third repetition frequency between the first and second repetition frequencies as long as the amount of micro movements of the movement sensor remains above the threshold value. Moreover, if the amount of micro movements of the movement sensor tran sitions from above the threshold value to below the threshold value, the movement sensor is configured to emit the wireless sensor signal from the movement sensor repeatedly at the first repetition frequency. As a result, the emission of measurement data can even better adapted to when the registering of such da ta is most important, namely in connection with starting from a stand-still. During the subsequent rotation, however, it is less critical to collect measurement data, and therefore the repetition frequency can be reduced.

According to still another embodiment of this aspect of the in vention, a processing unit is included, which is configured to de- rive operation-related information based on the wireless sensor signal received by the receiver. For example, in response there to, a behavior of the rotary milking parlor may be caused to vary. Consequently, among other things, the operation of the movable platform can be adapted to how many animals are located there- on.

According to still another embodiment of this aspect of the in vention, the processing unit is configured to store a series of measurement values representing the wireless sensor signal re ceived over an interval of time. Based on the series of measure- ment values, the processing unit is further configured to derive a movement signature of the movable platform. The movement signature, in turn, may reflect a start behavior, a stop behavior, vibrations, oscillations and/or load variations. Thereby, by stu dying the movement signature it is relatively uncomplicated to conclude whether or not the rotary milking parlor is free from er rors, for instance by comparing the movement signature to a no minal profile.

According to further embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the movement sensor also contains a second sensor member. Either this sensor member is configured to measure displace ments and/or accelerations in at least one dimension being inde pendent from the at least one dimension in which the first sen sor member is configured to measure displacements and/or ac celerations respectively; or both the first and second sensor members are configured to measure displacements and/or acce lerations in three dimensions. In any case, the wireless sensor signal emitted from the movement sensor reflects the measure ments made by the second sensor member as well as the first sensor member. Such a second sensor member is advantageous because it both enhances the data quality and provides redun dancy in the design.

According to another aspect of the invention, the object is achie ved by a method of measuring the movements of a rotary milking parlor. The method involves: registering micro movements of the movable platform relative to a fix reference frame via a move ment sensor arranged on the movable platform; measuring, via a first sensor member in the movement sensor, displacements in at least one dimension and/or accelerations in at least one di- mension; emitting, via a transmitter in the movement sensor, a wireless sensor signal reflecting the measurements of the first sensor member; and receiving, via a receiver, the wireless sen sor signal. The advantages of this method, as well as the prefer red embodiments thereof, are apparent from the discussion abo- ve with reference to the proposed control system and rotary mil king parlor.

According to a further aspect of the invention the object is achieved by a computer program loadable into a non-volatile da ta carrier communicatively connected to a processing unit. The computer program includes software for executing the above method when the program is run on the processing unit.

According to another aspect of the invention the object is achie ved by a non-volatile data carrier containing the above computer program. Further advantages, beneficial features and applications of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now to be explained more closely by means of preferred embodiments, which are disclosed as examples, and with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows an example of a measurement system for a rotary milking parlor according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a first diagram exemplifying how a repeti tion frequency of a wireless sensor signal may vary over time in response to a registered amount of micro movements of the movable platform;

Figure 3 shows a second diagram exemplifying how an amount of micro movements of the movable plat form varies over time; and

Figure 4 illustrates, by means of a flow diagram, the gene ral method according to the invention of measuring the movements of a movable platform of a rotary milking parlor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows an example of a rotary milking parlor 100 with a movable platform 1 10 together with a measurement system ac cording to one embodiment of the invention. The measurement system contains a movement sensor 210 and a receiver 230.

The movement sensor 210 is arranged on the movable platform 1 10, and the movement sensor 210 is configured to register mic ro movements of the movable platform 1 10 relative to a fix refe rence frame, e.g. the earth. The movement sensor 210, in turn, includes a first sensor member and a transmitter. The first sen sor member is configured to perform measurements of displace- ments in at least one dimension and/or accelerations in at least one dimension. Consequently, the first sensor member may be equipped with one or more gyroscopes, accelerometers and/or IMUs (inertial measurement units). The transmitter is configured to emit a wireless sensor signal Sw reflecting the measurements made by the first sensor member. The wireless sensor signal Sw may be represented by a radio signal of relatively high frequen cy, e.g. in the ultra-wideband spectrum. However, according to the invention, any other kind of wireless signal is conceivable, for instance an optical, inductive or ultrasonic signal. The receiver 230 is configured to receive the wireless sensor signal Sw via an antenna 220. Preferably, the receiver 230 is fur ther arranged to forward measurement data D M corresponding to the wireless sensor signal Sw for analysis. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the invention, the measurement system also contains a processing unit 150 configured to derive opera tion-related information I O R based on the wireless sensor signal Sw that has been received by the receiver 230. For example, the processing unit 150 may be further configured to cause a beha vior of the rotary milking parlor 100 to vary in response to the operation-related information I O R . In such a case, the processing unit 150 is configured to generate a control signal Ctrl, which is fed to a drive unit 140 that adjusts a rotation speed and/or direc tion RF for the movement of the movable platform 1 10.

Referring now to Figure 2, we see a diagram over how a repeti tion frequency f of the wireless sensor signal Sw may vary over time t in response to a registered amount of micro movements of the movable platform 1 10.

Here, we assume that the movable platform 1 10 is stationary un til a first point in time ti at which the movable platform 1 10 starts to rotate, and as a result the amount of micro movements increa ses above the threshold value. Thus, up until the first point in time ti the movement sensor 210 emits the wireless sensor sig nal Sw at a relatively low first repetition frequency f 1 , say 0-3 Hz. Then, as of the first point in time ti , the movement sensor 210 emits the wireless sensor signal Sw at a second repetition fre quency f 2 , which is higher than first repetition frequency fi ; say equals 10-15 Hz.

Provided that, during a predetermined interval T thereafter the amount of micro movements of the movement sensor 210 re mains above the threshold value, the movement sensor 210 con tinues to emit the wireless sensor signal Sw repeatedly at the se- cond repetition frequency until expiry of the predetermined in terval T. In the example illustrated in Figure 3, the predetermi ned interval T expires at a second point in time , and here, the movement sensor 210 starts to emit the wireless sensor signal Sw repeatedly at a third repetition frequency f3, whose magnitu- de is between that of the first and second repetition frequencies fi and f2 respectively, say f ₃ equals 5-8 Hz. Thereafter, i.e. as of the third point in time t ₃ , the movement sensor 210 continues to emit the wireless sensor signal Sw at the third repetition frequen- cy f ₃ , as long as the amount of micro movements exceeds the threshold value. This procedure is advantageous because it pro vides valuable measurement data in connection with starting the movable platform 1 10. At the same time, energy is economized during continuous operation. Figure 3 shows a diagram exemplifying how an amount of micro movements mM of the movable platform 1 10 varies over time t. Here, the points in time ti , and t ₃ correspond to the points in time referred to above. Thus, at the first point in time ti , we as sume that the movable platform 1 10 begins to rotate after ha- ving stood still. As a result, the amount of micro movements pM increases dramatically until around the second point in time , when steady-state rotation has been achieved. Then, as of the second point in time until the third point in time t ₃ , we assume that the movable platform 1 10 continues to rotate at an approxi- mately constant speed. Therefore, the amount of micro move ments pM remains comparatively constant at a high level. At the third point in time t ₃ , the movable platform 1 10 is again brought to a halt. Thus, shortly thereafter, the amount of micro move ments pM drops to a fairly low level, and at a fourth point in time t ₄ , the movable platform 1 10 stands still again.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the processing unit 150 is further configured to store a series of measurement values representing the wireless sensor signal Sw received over an interval of time. For example, the processing unit 150 may store the series of measurement values represented by the amount of micro movements pM in the diagram of Figure 3. Then, based on the series of measurement values, the proces sing unit 150 is configured to derive a movement signature S of the movable platform 1 10. The movement signature S may reflect a start behavior 310 and a stop behavior 320, as well as any vibrations/oscillations 330 registered between the start and stop behaviors 310 and 320 respectively. Additionally, the movement signature S may reflect variations in the load on the movable platform 1 10 (not illustra ted in Figure 3), typically caused by different numbers of animals being located on the movable platform 1 10.

According to one embodiment of the invention, in addition to the first sensor member, the movement sensor 210 also contains a second sensor member, which is configured to perform measu rements of displacements and/or accelerations in at least one dimension being independent from the at least one dimension in which the first sensor member is configured to measure displa cements and/or accelerations. In other words, if the first sensor member is configured to measure displacements of the movable platform 1 10 in a vertical direction (i.e. in a direction essentially parallel to the earth’s field of gravity), the second sensor mem ber may be configured to measure lateral displacements of the movable platform 1 10. Alternatively, the movement sensor 210 may contain first and second sensor members, which are both configured to perform measurements of displacements in three dimensions and/or ac celerations in three dimensions. Accordingly, the second sensor member produces data that are redundant in relation to what is produced by the first sensor member. As yet another alternative, the movement sensor 210 may contain a first sensor member configured to perform measurements of displacements in three dimensions and a second sensor member configured to perform measurements of accelerations in three dimensions. Thus, no redundant measurement data are produced.

In any case, if the movement sensor 210 contains first and se cond sensor members, the wireless sensor signal Sw emitted therefrom reflects the measurements made by both these sensor members. It is generally advantageous if the above-described processing unit 150 is configured to effect the procedure in an automatic manner, for instance by executing a computer program 157. Therefore, the processing unit 150 may be communicatively con- nected to a memory unit, i.e. non-volatile data carrier 155, sto ring the computer program 157, which, in turn, contains software for making at least one processor in the processing unit 150 execute the above-described actions when the computer pro gram 157 is run in the processing unit 150. In order to sum up, and with reference to the flow diagram in Figure 4, we will now describe the general method according to the invention of measuring the movements of a movable platform of a rotary milking parlor.

In a first step 410, micro movements of a movable platform of a rotary milking parlor are registered relative to a fix reference frame. The micro movements are registered via a movement sensor arranged on the movable platform, which movement sen sor has a sensor member measuring displacements in at least one dimension and/or accelerations in at least one dimension. Then, in a step 420, a wireless sensor signal is emitted which reflects the measurements. Subsequently, the wireless sensor signal is received in a receiver, and thereafter, the procedure loops back to step 410.

Preferably, although illustrated as discrete steps in Figure 4, the steps 410 to 430 are effected sequentially and yet simultaneous ly, so that for example while the wireless sensor signal is recei ved in step 430 in respect of micro movements registered at a particular point in time, the wireless sensor signal is receive in step 430 in respect of micro movements registered at a some- what earlier point in time.

All of the process steps, as well as any sub-sequence of steps, described with reference to Figure 4 may be controlled by means of a programmed processor. Moreover, although the em- bodiments of the invention described above with reference to the drawings comprise processor and processes performed in at least one processor, the invention thus also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, ad- apted for putting the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the pro cess according to the invention. The program may either be a part of an operating system, or be a separate application. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the prog ram. For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a Flash memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), for ex ample a DVD (Digital Video/Versatile Disk), a CD (Compact Disc) or a semiconductor ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Program mable Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disc or hard disc. Further, the car rier may be a transmissible carrier such as an electrical or opti- cal signal which may be conveyed via electrical or optical cable or by radio or by other means. When the program is embodied in a signal which may be conveyed directly by a cable or other de vice or means, the carrier may be constituted by such cable or device or means. Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted for performing, or for use in the performance of, the relevant processes.

The term“comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components. However, the term does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more additional features, inte gers, steps or components or groups thereof.

The invention is not restricted to the described embodiments in the figures, but may be varied freely within the scope of the claims.