Patent Publication Number: US-2022211001-A1

Title: Automatic feeder with adjustable rationing for multiple animals

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     In general, animals may consume food or other substances multiple times throughout a day. As with humans, studies have shown that health benefits exist when an animal consumes multiple meals throughout a day, as opposed to consuming the same amount of food in fewer meals. Typically, however, animals are fed 1-2 meals per day when their owner is present. For instance, if an animal&#39;s owner is away from home during general business hours, the animal may be fed once in the morning before the owner leaves and again in the evening when the owner returns. Additionally, if an owner is away from home or otherwise unable to feed their animal at its usual time, arrangements must be made to make sure the animal is fed and does not go hungry. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical components or features. 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate various perspective views of an example automatic feeder apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an example automatic feeder apparatus. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a top-down view of an example feeder housing. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a top-down view of the example feeder housing as it distributes contents. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a side view of an example automatic feeder apparatus. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of the example automatic feeder apparatus as it distributes contents. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating example detail of an example motor assembly. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a frontal view of an example interior panel/divider. 
         FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrate side views of example feeder housings including different example adjustment mechanisms for adjusting a position of an interior panel/divider. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate top-down views of different example feeder housing configurations to accommodate different numbers of animals. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example environment  900  in which an example automatic feeder apparatus may communicate with one or more electronic devices. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, domesticated animals typically fed 1-2 meals per day when their owner is present. However, health benefits exist when an animal consumes multiple meals throughout a day, as opposed to consuming the same amount of food in fewer meals. Additionally, if an owner is away from home or otherwise unable to feed their animal at its usual time, arrangements must be made to make sure the animal is fed and does not go hungry. 
     In some cases, gravity-assisted feeding systems have helped solve some of the above noted problems. However, these systems generally do not allow proper rationing of food for an animal. That is, in these previous systems, an animal is able to come and go as they please and eat as much food as they would like. This results in animals being overfed and/or overweight. Additionally, when these systems are used to feed multiple animals, one animal of the multiple animals may consume more or less food than another animal, and/or may consume the other animal&#39;s ration. In the case of animals that live outside of a home or otherwise remain outside while their owner is away, if these animals are underfed, they may tend to run away in search of more food. 
     Accordingly, this disclosure relates to an automatic animal feeder apparatus with adjustable rationing to feed multiple animals. In some examples, the animal feeder apparatus may include a hopper for storing contents (e.g., food, water, supplements, etc.) and a feeder housing. The feeder housing may include a first portion that is coupled to the hopper and includes a motor assembly for distributing the contents stored within the hopper. Additionally, the feeder housing may include a second portion that is disposed below the first portion. In some instances, the second portion may comprise one or more feed compartments. For instance, the second portion may include a first feed compartment and a second feed compartment. Further, the second portion of the feeder housing may comprise an interior panel that separates the first feed compartment and the second feed compartment (e.g., the interior panel forms a shared wall between the first feed compartment and the second feed compartment). In some examples, the interior panel may be configured to adjust a first volume of the first feed compartment and/or the contents received by the first feed compartment and a second volume of second feed compartment and/or the contents received by the second feed compartment. For instance, the interior panel may be configured to translate between a first side of the feeder housing and a second side of the feeder housing that is opposite the first side in order to adjust the first volume and the second volume. In this way, different volumes of contents may be received by different feed compartments such that a first animal associated with the first feed compartment may consume a first volume of the contents, a second animal associated with the second feed compartment may consume a second volume of the contents, and so forth. Additionally, the different volumes of contents may be received by the different feed compartments substantially simultaneously. This helps prevent one animal from eating another animal&#39;s food because both animals will be able to consume their food at substantially the same time. 
     According to the apparatuses and/or techniques described in this disclosure, an improved automatic animal feeder with adjustable rationing to feed multiple animals may be realized. For instance, the improved automatic animal feeder apparatus described herein may enable a user to feed his or her animals smaller portions of food more frequently throughout a day without having to be present to do so. Additionally, since the improved automatic animal feeder includes one or more adjustable interior panels for adjusting feed compartment volumes and separating different feed compartments, multiple animals may be fed at once to reduce the risk of animals being overfed or underfed. Further, in the cases of animals who are kept outside, the improved automatic animal feeder helps animals stay closer to home and keep from running away. This is because the animals may become accustomed to the various times of day when they are fed, and the animals will tend to stay closer to the automatic animal feeder so that they do not miss their ration. Even further, the automatic animal feeder may include functionality to help animals eat slower. For instance, the motor assembly of the automatic animal feeder may be adjusted so that small portions of contents are distributed in series during a feed cycle. In this way, an animal may finish a first small portion of contents before the motor assembly distributes a second small portion of contents, and so forth. This helps promote safer and healthier eating by preventing animals from choking on their food while their owner is not present. 
     By way of example and not limitation, an apparatus according to the various techniques described in this disclosure may include a hopper for storing contents (e.g., food, water, supplements, etc.). The hopper may include a lid and one or more latches or fasteners for securing the lid to the hopper to seal the hopper from environmental conditions, pests, insects, and the like. In some examples, the hopper may include a funnel that is stored within the hopper or otherwise integrated into the hopper. The funnel may help in facilitating the flow of contents stored within the hopper through an outlet of the hopper. Contents stored in the hopper may gravity feed through the outlet of the hopper in a first direction and into the feeder housing. 
     In some examples, the apparatus may include a feeder housing. The feeder housing may be disposed below the hopper such that the contents stored within the hopper may gravity feed from the hopper and into the feeder housing. In some instances, a top portion of the feeder housing may be coupled to a bottom portion of the hopper, and an outlet of the hopper may be lined up with an inlet of the feeder housing. The feeder housing may include a first portion (e.g., an upper compartment) and second portion (e.g., a lower compartment). 
     In various examples, the first portion of the feeder housing may be coupled to the hopper. Additionally, the first portion of the feeder housing may include a motor assembly that, among other things, is configured to distribute the contents stored within the hopper. In some instances, the motor assembly, when actuated, may distribute the contents stored within the hopper in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (e.g., the first direction in which the contents flow from the hopper and into the feeder housing). For instance, the motor assembly may comprise a broadcast feeder motor that includes a DC (direct current) motor with a shaft oriented about an axis such that a plate coupled to the shaft may broadcast or distribute contents across a plane when a voltage or current is input into the DC motor. In additional or alternative examples, the motor assembly may include one or more processors and memory communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. The memory may comprise non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause at least one of the motor assembly or the one or more processors to perform various operations described in this disclosure. Further detail with respect to the motor assembly will be discussed below. 
     In some instances, the second portion of the feeder housing may be disposed below the first portion. In this way, the motor assembly of the first portion may distribute contents into the second portion, and the second portion may receive the distributed contents. The second portion of the feeder housing may comprise one or more compartments and/or sub-compartments. For instance, the second portion of the feeder housing may comprise a first compartment and a second compartment. However, any number of compartments and/or sub-compartments are possible. In some examples, each individual compartment and/or sub-compartment may include an opening to access contents received by the individual compartment or sub-compartment. 
     In some examples, the second portion of the feeder housing may include an interior panel or divider. The interior panel may separate the first compartment and the second compartment. In other words, the interior panel may separate the second portion into one or more sub-compartments, the one or more sub-compartments including at least a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment. Additionally, in some instances the interior panel may be configured to adjust volumes or capacities of the one or more compartments and/or quantities of contents received by the one or more compartments. For instance, the interior panel may be configured to adjust a first volume of the first compartment and/or a first quantity of contents received by the first compartment and a second volume of the second compartment and/or a second quantity of contents received by the second compartment. Accordingly, the interior panel may be configured to translate between a first side of the feeder housing and a second side of the feeder housing (e.g., a first side of the second portion and a second side of the second portion that is opposite the first side) to adjust a volume or capacity of a compartment. The first side of the feeder housing may include a first opening to access the contents received by the first compartment and the second side of the feeder housing may include a second opening to access the contents received by the second compartment. 
     In some examples, the second portion of the feeder housing may include multiple sides. For instance, the second portion of the feeder housing may include the first side and the second side, as well as a third side and a fourth side. The third side and the fourth side may each include a set of connection points and be oriented substantially parallel to one another. As such, in some examples the interior panel may be disposed between, and at an angle substantially perpendicular to, the third side and the fourth side. Additionally, or alternatively, the interior panel may be configured to removably couple with the third side and the fourth side via the sets of connection points of the third side and the fourth side. 
     In some examples, the second portion of the feeder housing may include a base panel. Additionally, in some examples the first side of the second portion may comprise a first flange extending upward from the base panel and to the bottom of the first opening allowing access into the first compartment. Further, the second side of the second portion may include a second flange that extends upward from the base panel and to the bottom of the second opening allowing access into the second compartment. In this way, the first flange and the second flange may facilitate in maintaining contents within the first compartment and the second compartment, while also allowing access into the compartments so that animals may feed. 
     In some examples, the apparatus and/or the motor assembly of the apparatus may include one or more processors and memory that is communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. In some examples, the memory may comprise non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors and/or the motor assembly to perform various operations. For instance, the operations may include one or more of establishing a wireless connection with an electronic device (e.g., mobile device, tablet, computer, electronic collar worn by an animal, etc.), receiving, via the wireless connection, an indication of a period of time during which the motor assembly is to distribute the contents, and/or sending a signal to the motor assembly during the period of time to cause the motor assembly to distribute the contents. For instance, a mobile device may execute an application that is configured to control various components of the apparatus, and a communication connection that is communicatively coupled to the one or more processors may enable communication of data between the mobile device and the one or more processors. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the operations may include one or more of determining at least one of a predicted time or a predicted date at which contents stored within the hopper are to be replenished and sending an indication of the at least one of the predicted time or the predicted date to an electronic device. For instance, the predicted time and/or predicted date may be calculated based at least in part on a quantity of contents stored in the hopper and an amount of time the motor assembly is actuated each day. Additionally, or alternatively, the predicted time and/or predicted date may be determined based at least in part on a weight of the contents stored within the hopper. For instance, sensor data indicative of a current weight of the contents stored within the hopper may be received, and the predicted time and/or predicted date may be determined based at least in part on the sensor data. 
     In some examples, the apparatus may include one or more sensors (e.g., proximity sensors, light sensors, weight sensors, image sensors, microphones, cameras, motion sensors, and the like). In at least one example, a sensor of the one or more sensors may be disposed proximate the first compartment. Accordingly, sensor data representing a proximity of an electronic device (e.g., an electronic collar worn by an animal) with respect to the first compartment may be received. In this way, it may be determined whether the electronic device is within a threshold proximity and, based at least in part on the proximity of the electronic device being within the threshold proximity, a signal may be sent to the electronic device to cause the electronic device to perform an action (e.g., emit a sound, vibrate, electrically stimulate the animal, etc.). For instance, if the first compartment is associated with a first electronic device and/or a first animal, and a second electronic device and/or second animal is within the threshold proximity of the first compartment (e.g., the second animal is eating from the first compartment), then the signal may be sent to the second electronic device to cause the second electronic device to perform the action. This can help prevent one animal from eating another animal&#39;s food. Similarly, if the electronic device is within the threshold proximity but is authorized to be within the threshold proximity, then the system may refrain from causing the electronic device to perform the action. 
     These and other aspects are described further below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely example implementations and should not be construed to limit the scope of the claims. For example, while the example apparatuses and systems are mainly shown as including two feed compartments, it is contemplated that the apparatuses may include more or less feed compartments. Additionally, it is contemplated that the example apparatuses may comprise different shapes and/or configurations than those shown in the example figures. 
     Example Automatic Feeder Technologies 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate various perspective views of an example automatic feeder apparatus  100 .  FIG. 1A  illustrates a first perspective view of the example automatic feeder apparatus  100 ,  FIG. 1B  illustrates a second perspective view of the example automatic feeder apparatus  100  from the opposite viewpoint of the first perspective (e.g., the opposite side of the feeder apparatus  100  from that shown in  FIG. 1A ), and  FIG. 1C  illustrates a third perspective view of the example automatic feeder apparatus  100 . 
     The example feeder apparatus  100  includes a hopper  102  that is coupled to a feeder housing  104 . The hopper  102  may include a body portion  106 , a lid  108 , and one or more latches  110 ( a ) and  110 ( b ) (hereinafter referred to collectively as “latches  110 ”) for securing the lid  108  to the body portion  106  of the hopper  102 . In this way, contents  112  stored within the hopper  102  may be sealed from the elements, pests, insects, animals, and the like. 
     The feeder housing  104  may include a first portion  114  that is disposed above a second portion  116 . The first portion  114  may include or otherwise house a motor assembly that, when actuated, distributes at least a portion of the contents  112  into the second portion  116 . The first portion  114  may be coupled to the hopper  102  and the second portion  116 . The feeder housing  104  may include a first side  118 , a second side  120  opposite the first side  118 , a third side  122  disposed between the first side  118  and the second side  120 , and a fourth side  124  opposite the third side  122  and disposed between the first side  118  and the second side  120 . The third side  122  and the fourth side  124  may each include one or more sets of connection points  126 . The connection points  126  may be configured to removably couple an interior panel  128  with the third side  122  and the fourth side  124 . In this way, the interior panel  128  may translate between the first side  118  and the second side  120  to adjust a first volume “V 1 ” associated with a first compartment  130  and a second volume “V 2 ” associated with a second compartment  132 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the first volume V 1  of the first compartment  130  is greater than the second volume V 2  of the second compartment  132 . 
     The first side  118  of the second portion  116  may include a first flange  134  and the second side  120  of the second portion  116  may include a second flange  136 . The first flange  134  and the second flange  136  may extend upward from a base  138  of the second portion to secure contents  112  within the first compartment  130  and the second compartment  132 . The first side  118  may further include a first opening between the first flange  134  and the first portion  114  to provide access to the first compartment  130 . Likewise, the second side  120  may include a second opening between the second flange  136  and the first portion  114  to provide access to the second compartment  132 . 
     Additionally, the automatic feeder apparatus  100  may include one or more sensors  140 ( a ) and  140 ( b ) (hereinafter referred to collectively as “sensors  140 ”). The sensors  140  may comprise one or more of image sensors, proximity sensors, motion sensors, weight sensors, microphones, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) sensors, photosensors, and the like. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the example automatic feeder apparatus  100  including additional example detail of the feeder housing  104 . As shown in broken lines, the interior panel  128  may be oriented vertically about an axis “y” and may translate along an axis “x” between a first side  118  and a second side  120  of the feeder housing  104 . In this way, the interior panel  128  may be adjusted a total distance between x′ and x″ using the connection points  126 . 
     In some examples, the third side  124  (and likewise, the fourth side  126 ) may be coupled to the first portion  114  with one or more fasteners  202 . In some instances, the fasteners  202  may be removed to access and/or adjust the interior panel  128  and/or the motor assembly  208 . 
     The first portion  114  of the feeder housing  104  may include a top portion  204 . The top portion  204  may include an inlet  206  such that contents stored within the hopper  102  may flow, via the inlet  206 , through the top portion  204  and into the first portion  114  of the feeder housing  104 . In some examples, the motor assembly  208  that is housed within the first portion  114  may include a motor housing  210 , motor mounts  212  and nuts  214  for securing the motor assembly  208  to the top portion  204 , a spin plate  216 , and an agitator  218 . The agitator  218  may be coupled to the spin plate  216 . In some examples, when the motor assembly  208  is actuated, the spin plate  216  may rotate about the axis “y” to distribute contents in a direction substantially parallel with the axis “x.” Additionally, the agitator  218  may rotate about the axis “y” to ensure that contents stored within the hopper  102  flow into the feeder housing  104 . In this way, the agitator  218  may extend vertically from a base of the spin plate  216  and upward through the inlet  206  and into a portion of the hopper  102 . The agitator  218  may comprise a shape similar to that of a corkscrew, auger, a rectangular plate, and the like. In some examples, the spin plate  216  may further include a counterweight that causes the motor assembly  208  to vibrate and/or shake in order to help reduce clogging of contents in the hopper  102  and/or the inlet  206 . For instance, the counterweight may be disposed on a surface of the spin plate  216  at a distance away from a shaft of the motor assembly  208  that may connect the spin plate  216  to the motor assembly  208 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a top-down view of the example feeder housing  104 . The example feeder housing  104  includes the first side  118 , the second side  120 , the third side  122 , the fourth side  124 , the interior panel  128  separating the first compartment  130  from the second compartment  132 , and the base  138 . Also shown in  FIG. 3A  is the top portion  204  of the feeder housing  104 , the inlet  206  of the top portion  204 , the motor assembly  208 , and the spin plate  216  of the motor assembly  208 . 
     As shown, the interior panel  128  is coupled to the third side  122  and the fourth side  124  at an angle perpendicular to the third side  122  and the fourth side  124  along an axis “z.” Additionally, the interior panel  128  is disposed between the first compartment  130  and the second compartment  132  and is configured to translate between the first side  118  and the second side  120  along an axis “x.” 
     The spin plate  216  and the motor assembly  208  may be positioned substantially centered under the inlet  206  of the top portion  204  (e.g., at the intersection of the axis “x” and “z”). In this way, contents  112  that enter the feeder housing  104  from a hopper may collect on top of the spin plate  216 . Additionally, the motor assembly  208  and/or the spin plate  216  may be positioned at a specific depth below the top of the top portion  204  to ensure that contents  112  from the hopper do not fall into the first compartment  130  or the second compartment  132  when the motor assembly  208  is not actuated. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a top-down view of the example feeder housing  104  as it distributes contents  112 . For instance, the contents  112  may enter the feeder housing  104  through the inlet  206  and collect on top of the spin plate  216 . In this way, when the motor assembly  208  actuates, the spin plate  216  may spin as shown in  FIG. 3B  and distribute the contents  112  into the first compartment  130  and the second compartment  132 . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a side view of an example automatic feeder apparatus  100  including example internal features. For instance, the hopper  102  includes an internal and/or integrated funnel  402  for facilitating flow of contents  112  into the feeder housing  104  via the inlet  206 . Additionally, the automatic feeder apparatus  100  includes the motor assembly  208  and the interior panel  128 . The agitator  218  of the motor assembly  208  may extend upward from the motor assembly  208  and through the inlet  206  into the hopper  102  to ensure that contents  112  flow freely. The interior panel may be disposed below the first portion  114  and/or the motor assembly  208  such that contents  112  distributed by the motor assembly  208  will be received by the second portion  116  of the automatic feeder apparatus  100  on each side of the interior panel  128 , as shown in more detail in  FIG. 4B . 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of the example automatic feeder apparatus  100  as it distributes contents  112 . As shown, depending on the position of the interior panel  128 , a volume of the contents  112  that are distributed within the second portion  116  on each side of the interior panel  128  may vary. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the interior panel  128  is fully adjusted toward the second side  120  of the feeder housing  104 . This results in less contents being distributed on the second side  120  of the interior panel  128  and more contents being distributed on the first side  118  of the interior panel  128 . 
     Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the contents  112  flow from the hopper  102  and into the first portion  114  of the feeder housing  104  in a vertical direction along an axis “y” and that the motor assembly  208 , when actuated, distributes the contents  112  in a perpendicular direction along an axis “x.” That is, the contents  112  flow from the hopper  102  and into the first portion  114  of the feeder housing  104  in a first direction, and then the motor assembly  208  distributes the contents  112  in a second direction (e.g., toward the first compartment) and a third direction (e.g., toward the second compartment). Additionally, or alternatively the distribution of the contents  112  by the motor assembly  208  may be characterized as being distributed along a plane formed by the axis “x” and an axis “z,” which is not shown. In this way, in some examples the motor assembly  208  may distribute the contents  112  such that the contents  112  make contact with one or more sides of the first portion  114  and then fall into the second portion  116  of the feeder housing  104  on each side of the interior panel  128 . 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram  500  illustrating example detail of an example motor assembly  208 . The motor assembly  208 , in some examples, may include one or more processors  502  and memory  504  communicatively coupled with the one or more processors  502 . In examples, the one or more processors  502  may execute instructions stored in the memory  504  to perform one or more operations on behalf of the motor assembly  208 . Additionally, the motor assembly  208  may include a display  506 , one or more inputs  508 , a power supply  510 , and one or more communication connections  512 . 
     The memory  504  of the motor assembly  208  stores a user interface component  514 , a motor health component  516 , and a sensor component  518 . The user interface component may generate and present, on the display  506 , a user interface for controlling the motor assembly  208 , such as setting feeding times, duration of feeding times, and the like. Additionally, or alternatively, the user interface component may present a user interface on a display of a mobile device associated with a user. In this way, a user may control the motor assembly  208  from his or her mobile device (e.g., cell phone, tablet, computer, etc.). 
     In some examples, the motor health component  516  may determine a status associated with the motor assembly  208 , such as an amount of hours the motor assembly  208  has been actuated, an amount of voltage and/or current consumed by the motor assembly  208 , an amount of battery life remaining, and the like. 
     The sensor component  518  may receive and/or process sensor data on behalf of the motor assembly  208 . The sensor data may be generated by one or more sensors, such as the sensors  140  of the automatic feeder apparatus  100 . The sensor data may include raw and/or processed sensor data. The sensor data may be indicative of, among other things, a proximity of an animal, an identity of an animal, an identity of an electronic device, a presence of an animal, and the like. 
     In some instances, aspects of some or all of the memory-stored components discussed herein can include any models, algorithms, and/or machine learning algorithms. For example, in some instances, components in the memory  504  such as the sensor component  518 , motor health component  516 , and/or user interface component  514  can be implemented as a neural network. 
     As described herein, an exemplary neural network is a biologically inspired algorithm which passes input data through a series of connected layers to produce an output. Each layer in a neural network can also comprise another neural network or can comprise any number of layers (whether convolutional or not). As can be understood in the context of this disclosure, a neural network can utilize machine learning, which can refer to a broad class of such algorithms in which an output is generated based on learned parameters. 
     Although discussed in the context of neural networks, any type of machine learning can be used consistent with this disclosure. For example, machine learning algorithms can include, but are not limited to, regression algorithms (e.g., ordinary least squares regression (OLSR), linear regression, logistic regression, stepwise regression, multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS)), instance-based algorithms (e.g., ridge regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), elastic net, least-angle regression (LARS)), decisions tree algorithms (e.g., classification and regression tree (CART), iterative dichotomiser 3 (ID3), Chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAD), decision stump, conditional decision trees), Bayesian algorithms (e.g., naïve Bayes, Gaussian naïve Bayes, multinomial naïve Bayes, average one-dependence estimators (AODE), Bayesian belief network (BNN), Bayesian networks), clustering algorithms (e.g., k-means, k-medians, expectation maximization (EM), hierarchical clustering), association rule learning algorithms (e.g., perceptron, back-propagation, hopfield network, Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN)), deep learning algorithms (e.g., Deep Boltzmann Machine (DBM), Deep Belief Networks (DBN), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Stacked Auto-Encoders), Dimensionality Reduction Algorithms (e.g., Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Principal Component Regression (PCR), Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), Sammon Mapping, Multidimensional Scaling (MDS), Projection Pursuit, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Mixture Discriminant Analysis (MDA), Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA), Flexible Discriminant Analysis (FDA)), Ensemble Algorithms (e.g., Boosting, Bootstrapped Aggregation (Bagging), AdaBoost, Stacked Generalization (blending), Gradient Boosting Machines (GBM), Gradient Boosted Regression Trees (GBRT), Random Forest), SVM (support vector machine), supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, etc. Additional examples of architectures include neural networks such as ResNet50, ResNet101, VGG, DenseNet, PointNet, and the like. 
     The display  506  may of the motor assembly  208  may include any suitable display for presenting user interfaces, controlling operation of the motor assembly  208 , and the like. For instance, the display  506  may comprise any one of an electroluminescent (ELD) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), including both light-emitting diode (LED) backlit LCDs and/or thin-film transistor (TFT) LCDs, an LED display, OLED display, AMOLED display, plasma (PDP) display, and/or a quantum dot (QLED) display. The one or more inputs  508  may additionally or alternatively be used to control operation of the motor assembly  208 . For instance, a user may use the one or more inputs  508  to select icons, scroll, or otherwise access features of a user interface that is presented on the display  506 . The power supply  510  of the motor assembly may include one or more of a battery (e.g., lead-acid battery, lithium ion battery, etc.), a solar panel, a line voltage, and the like. 
     The communications connection(s)  512  can include physical and/or logical interfaces for connecting the motor assembly  208  to another computing device (e.g., a mobile device of a user, an electronic collar, etc.) and/or a network. For example, the communications connection(s)  512  can enable Wi-Fi-based communication such as via frequencies defined by the IEEE 702.11 standards, short range wireless frequencies such as Bluetooth®, cellular communication (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G, etc.) or any suitable wired or wireless communications protocol that enables the respective computing device to interface with the other computing device(s). In some examples, the communication connection(s)  512  may enable a user to wirelessly connect an electronic device. For instance, the user may wirelessly connect their smartphone to the motor assembly  208  via the communication connection(s)  512  and, for instance, using an application that is executing on the user&#39;s smartphone, wirelessly control the motor assembly  208 . 
     The processor(s)  502  can be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions to process data and perform operations as described herein. By way of example and not limitation, the processor(s)  502  can comprise one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), or any other device or portion of a device that processes electronic data to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that can be stored in registers and/or memory. In some examples, integrated circuits (e.g., ASICs, etc.), gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs, etc.), and other hardware devices can also be considered processors in so far as they are configured to implement encoded instructions. 
     The memory  504  is an example of non-transitory computer-readable media. The memory  504  can store an operating system and one or more software applications, instructions, programs, and/or data to implement the methods described herein and the functions attributed to the various systems. In various implementations, the memory can be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random-access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory capable of storing information. The architectures, systems, and individual elements described herein can include many other logical, programmatic, and physical components, of which those shown in the accompanying figures are merely examples that are related to the discussion herein. 
     As can be understood, the components discussed herein are described as divided for illustrative purposes. However, the operations performed by the various components can be combined or performed in any other component. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a frontal view of an example interior panel  128 . The interior panel  128  includes multiple flanges  602  that are configured to detachably couple the interior panel  128  from the feeder housing. It should be appreciated that the size of the interior panel  128  and the flanges  602  may not be to scale for exemplary purposes. 
       FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrate side views of example feeder housings  106  including different example adjustment mechanisms for adjusting a position of an interior panel/divider, such as the interior panel  128  described above. 
     The example feeder housings  106  in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  include round connection points  702 . The round connection points  702  may be configured such that a fastener screw  704  may be inserted through the round connection points  702  to couple with an interior panel/divider. Additionally, or alternatively, the round connection points  702  may be configured such that a male threaded rod or screw may be inserted through the round connection points  702  from an interior of the feeder housing  106  and secured using one or more wingnuts  706 . For instance, the interior panel  128  shown in  FIG. 6  may include threaded rod attached to the interior panel  128  instead of the flanges  602 . Accordingly, the wingnuts  706  (or a similar device (e.g., nuts, clips, etc.)) may be used to couple the interior panel to the feeder housing  106 . 
     The example feeder housings  106  in  FIGS. 7C and 7D  include a track system  712  for adjusting an interior panel/divider. For instance, a chain of the track system  712  may be connected to the interior panel/divider and, when the hand crank  710  is rotated or the motor  714  actuates, the interior panel/divider may translate between a first side of the feeder housing  106  and a second side of the feeder housing  106  to adjust position. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate top-down views of different example feeder housing configurations to accommodate different numbers of animals. The feeder housing  800  of  FIG. 8A  includes a first interior panel/divider  802  that extends across the width of the feeder housing  800 , a second interior panel/divider  804  that extends from a first side of the feeder housing  800  to the first interior panel/divider  802 , and a third interior panel/divider  806  that extends from a second side of the feeder housing  800  opposite the first side and to the first interior panel/divider  806 . In this way, the feeder housing  800  may include a first compartment  808 , a second compartment  810 , a third compartment  812 , and a third compartment  814 . In this way, up to four animals may be fed simultaneously using the feeder housing  800 . Additionally, in some examples, any one of the first interior panel/divider  802 , the second interior panel/divider  804 , and/or the third interior panel/divider  806  may be removed to feed less animals. 
     The feeder housing  820  of  FIG. 8B  includes a first panel/divider  822 , a second panel/divider  824 , a third panel/divider  826 , a fourth panel/divider  828 , a fifth panel/divider  830 , and a sixth panel/divider  832 . The panels/dividers  822 - 832  may be coupled together at a center of the feeder housing  820 . In this way, the feeder housing  820  may include a first compartment  834 , a second compartment  836 , a third compartment  838 , a fourth compartment  840 , a fifth compartment  842 , and a sixth compartment  844 . In some examples, each one of the first panel/divider  822 , the second panel/divider  824 , the third panel/divider  826 , the fourth panel/divider  828 , the fifth panel/divider  830 , and the sixth panel/divider  832  may be removed and/or added to accommodate more or less animals. 
     Although  FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate feeder housings that include four or six feed compartments, it should be understood that similar techniques or apparatuses may be used to achieve a feeder housing including more or less feeder housings than that shown. For instance, a feeder housing may include any number of feed compartments, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and so forth. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example environment  900  in which an example automatic feeder apparatus  100  may communicate with one or more electronic devices. For example, a smartphone  902 , tablet  904 , and/or electronic collar  906  may communicate with the automatic feeder apparatus  100  via one or more networks  908 . The one or more networks  908  may be capable of supporting one or more different types of wired and/or wireless network protocols, such as WIFI, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), ZigBee, Cellular, RFID, and the like. In some examples, the automatic feeder apparatus  100  and/or a motor assembly of the automatic feeder apparatus  100  may include one or more processors, computer-readable media, and one or more communication connections. In this way, the automatic feeder apparatus  100  may communicate with the one or more electronic devices over the networks  908  as shown. In at least one example, the automatic feeder apparatus  100  may communicate with the electronic collar  906  to determine a proximity of the electronic collar with respect to the automatic feeder apparatus  100 , a compartment of the automatic feeder apparatus  100 , and the like. 
     Example Clauses 
     A. An apparatus comprising: a hopper; and a feeder housing comprising: a first portion coupled to the hopper, the first portion including a motor assembly configured to distribute contents stored within the hopper; and a second portion disposed below the first portion, the second portion comprising: a first compartment; a second compartment; and an interior panel separating the first compartment and the second compartment, wherein the interior panel is configured to translate between a first side of the second portion and a second side of the second portion opposite the first side to adjust a first volume of the contents received by the first compartment and a second volume of the contents received by the second compartment. 
     B. The apparatus as paragraph A recites, wherein the second portion of the feeder housing further comprises: a third side including a first set of connection points; a fourth side opposite the third side and substantially parallel to the third side, the fourth side including a second set of connection points; and wherein the interior panel is disposed between, and at an angle substantially perpendicular to, the third side and the fourth side, the interior panel being configured to removably couple with the third side and the fourth side via the first set of connection points and the second set of connection points. 
     C. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs A-B recites, wherein the first volume of the contents received by the first compartment is greater than the second volume of the contents received by the second compartment. 
     D. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs A-C recites, wherein at least one of the hopper or the feeder housing comprises an outlet or inlet such that the contents stored within the hopper may flow in a first direction from the hopper and into the feeder housing. 
     E. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs A-D recites, wherein the motor assembly, when actuated, distributes the contents into the first compartment and the second compartment in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 
     F. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs A-E recites, wherein: the second portion comprises a base panel; the first side of the second portion comprises a first vertical flange extending upward from the base panel; and the second side of the second portion comprises a second vertical flange extending upward from the base panel. 
     G. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs A-F recites, wherein: the first compartment is disposed within the second portion of the feeder housing between the first side and the interior panel; the second compartment is disposed within the second portion of the feeder housing between the interior panel and the second side; the first side comprises a first opening to access contents received by the first compartment; and the second side comprises a second opening to access contents received by the second compartment. 
     H. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs A-G recites, further comprising: one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: establishing a wireless connection with an electronic device; receiving, via the wireless connection, an indication of a period of time during which the motor assembly is to distribute the contents; and sending a signal to the motor assembly during the period of time to cause the motor assembly to distribute the first volume of the contents and the second volume of the contents substantially simultaneously. 
     I. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs A-H recites, further comprising: one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: establishing a wireless connection with an electronic device; determining at least one of a predicted time or a predicted date at which contents stored within the hopper will be depleted; and sending an indication of the at least one of the predicted time or the predicted date to the electronic device. 
     J. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs A-I recites, further comprising: a sensor disposed proximate at least one of the first compartment or the second compartment; one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: receiving, from the sensor, data representing a proximity of an electronic device; determining that the proximity of the electronic device is within a threshold proximity; and based at least in part on the proximity of the electronic device being within the threshold proximity, sending a signal to the electronic device to cause the electronic device to perform an action. 
     K. An apparatus comprising: a hopper; and a feeder housing coupled to the hopper, the feeder housing comprising: an upper compartment including a motor assembly configured to distribute contents stored within the hopper; and a lower compartment configured to receive the contents, the lower compartment comprising: a divider separating the lower compartment into one or more sub-compartments, the one or more sub-compartments including at least a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment, wherein the divider is configured to adjust a volume of the contents distributed to each one of the one or more sub-compartments; a first side including a first opening to access the first sub-compartment; and a second side including a second opening to access the second sub-compartment. 
     L. The apparatus as paragraphs K recites, wherein the lower compartment of the feeder housing further comprises: a third side including a first set of connection points; a fourth side including a second set of connection points; and wherein the divider is disposed between the third side and the fourth side and is configured to removably couple with the third side and the fourth side via the first set of connection points and the second set of connection points to adjust the volume of the contents distributed to each one of the one or more sub-compartments. 
     M. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs K-L recites, wherein a first volume of the contents distributed to the first sub-compartment is greater than a second volume of the contents distributed to the second sub-compartment. 
     N. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs K-M recites, wherein at least one of the hopper or the feeder housing comprises an outlet or inlet such that the contents stored within the hopper may flow in a first direction from the hopper and into the feeder housing. 
     O. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs K-N recites, wherein the motor assembly, when actuated, distributes the contents into the lower compartment in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 
     P. The apparatus as any one of paragraphs K-O recites, wherein: the lower compartment of the feeder housing comprises a base; the first side of the lower compartment comprises a first vertical flange extending upward from the base such that contents distributed to the first sub-compartment remain within the first sub-compartment; and the second side of the lower compartment comprises a second vertical flange extending upward from the base such that contents distributed to the second sub-compartment remain within the second sub-compartment. 
     Q. A system comprising: a hopper; a feeder housing comprising: an upper compartment including a motor assembly configured to distribute contents stored within the hopper; and a lower compartment configured to receive the contents distributed by the motor assembly, the lower compartment comprising: a divider separating the lower compartment into a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment, wherein the divider is configured to adjust a first volume of the contents distributed to the first sub-compartment and a second volume of the contents distributed to the second sub-compartment; one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform operations comprising: establishing a wireless connection with an electronic device; receiving, via the wireless connection, an indication of a period of time during which the motor assembly is to distribute the contents; and sending a signal to the motor assembly during the period of time to cause the motor assembly to distribute the contents to the one or more sub-compartments substantially simultaneously. 
     R. The system as paragraph Q recites, the operations further comprising: determining at least one of a predicted time or a predicted date at which contents stored within the hopper will be depleted; and sending an indication of the at least one of the predicted time or the predicted date to the electronic device. 
     S. The system as any one of paragraphs Q-R recites, further comprising one or more sensors, the operations further comprising: receiving, from the one or more sensors, data representing a proximity of an electronic device with respect to the first sub-compartment; determining that the proximity of the electronic device is within a threshold proximity; and based at least in part on the proximity of the electronic device being within the threshold proximity, sending a signal to the electronic device to cause the electronic device to perform an action. 
     T. The system as any one of paragraphs Q-S recites, wherein the electronic device comprises an electronic collar and the action comprises at least one of emitting a sound with the electronic collar, causing the electronic collar to vibrate, or causing the electronic collar to produce electrical stimulation. 
     While the example clauses described above are described with respect to one particular implementation, it should be understood that, in the context of this document, the content of the example clauses may also be implemented via a method, device, system, a computer-readable medium, and/or another implementation. 
     CONCLUSION 
     While one or more examples of the techniques described herein have been described, various alterations, additions, permutations, and equivalents thereof are included within the scope of the techniques described herein. 
     In the description of examples, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, which show by way of illustration specific examples of the claimed subject matter. It is to be understood that other examples can be used and that changes or alterations, such as structural changes, can be made. Such examples, changes or alterations are not necessarily departures from the scope with respect to the intended claimed subject matter. While the steps herein may be presented in a certain order, in some cases the ordering may be changed so that certain inputs are provided at different times or in a different order without changing the function of the systems and methods described. The disclosed procedures could also be executed in different orders. Additionally, various operations that are described herein need not be performed in the order disclosed, and other examples using alternative orderings of the operations could be readily implemented. In addition to being reordered, the operations could also be decomposed into sub-operations with the same results.