Patent Publication Number: US-2015062333-A1

Title: Method and system for nature observation

Description:
This application claimed priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/694,295 filed Aug. 29, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This application discloses methods and systems for observing nature. More specifically, this disclosure describes a wireless and electronic nature-observing system and social networking device for sharing observations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many people today observe nature for education and as a recreational activity. Observing nature often includes watching and feeding birds. Bird watching and feeding is the second largest hobby in the world and is a billion-dollar industry. 
     Nature may be observed with the naked eye, through visual enhancement devices such as binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for sounds. Nature observation also includes an auditory component, and many species such as birds may be more easily detected by sound rather than sight. 
     To more closely and efficiently observe birds and nature, users may construct bird houses or feeders that may attract different kinds of birds or animals. To observe birds at a feeder, however, a person must be physically present at the bird feeder. 
     Due to the difficulty of being physically present at a birdfeeder, needs exists for improved methods and systems for remotely observing birds and/or animals. 
     SUMMARY 
     Bird feeding and viewing is one of the largest hobbies in the world. One way people observe birds and other animals in nature is by placing a bird feeder or bird house outdoors to supply birds and other animals with shelter and food. Because birds and other animals realize that food and shelter is being provided for them at a fixed location, the birds and animals may often visit the bird feeders and houses. 
     Embodiments described herein provide for systems and methods that allow for a nature observation device to be coupled to an existing bird feeder, house or any other apparatus. The observation device may then capture images, such as videos and pictures, as well as sounds at or near the bird feeder. The observation device may then transmit the images and sounds to a remote location where they may then be uploaded to a website or social networking site so that others all over the world may observe the sights and sounds at the feeder. 
     One embodiment may include a nature observation device comprising a lower housing including a camera, the camera being configured to record images of a nature. The observation device may include an upper housing configured to be disposed adjacent to and on top of the lower housing, the upper housing including a transmitter and a microphone. The observation device may also include a rod with first and second coupling mechanisms, the rod being configured to extend below the housing dome and above the housing dome. 
     In an embodiment, the camera is disposed on a slide bar, the slide bar being perpendicular to the rod. 
     In an embodiment, the slide bar is configured to allow the camera to slide along the slide bar, changing a field of view of the camera. 
     In an embodiment, the upper housing is secured in place via a locking mechanism. 
     In an embodiment, loosening the locking mechanism allows the upper housing to slide along the rod to be apart from the lower housing. 
     In an embodiment, an outer surface of the upper housing includes a solar charging unit, and the upper housing includes a battery, the battery configured to be charged by the solar charging unit. 
     In an embodiment, the upper housing is a first dome and the lower housing is a second dome, the upper housing being smaller than the lower housing. 
     In an embodiment, the transmitter is configured to transmit the sounds via FM radio waves or raw or encrypted RF waves to allow multiple transmitters in one location. 
     In an embodiment, the transmitted sounds and images are transmitted in real time, and the transmitted sounds and images are uploaded to a website in real time. These transmitted sounds and/or images may be transmitted as either raw data or encrypted data. 
     In one embodiment, the nature observation device may include a global positioning system (GPS) or any other locating system known in the art such as a real-time locating system (RTLS), Wi-Fi locating system, etc. Based on the location of the nature observation device, the nature observation device may transmit data to be displayed on a social networking site for social networking purposes so people know where the birds, animals and/or nature are located. 
     These and other aspects of the disclosure will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating various embodiments of the disclosure and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions and/or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the disclosure without departing from the spirit thereof, and the disclosure includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions and/or rearrangements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of example embodiments will become more apparent by describing in detail example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. The accompanying drawings are intended to depict example embodiments and should not be interpreted to limit the intended scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a topology of a system including an observation device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an illustration of an observation device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of a top dome of an observation device according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 4A-C  depict a various views of a top dome of an observation device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a first dome and a second dome according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a housing for a slide bar according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a camera attached to a slide bar according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  depicts an observation device with threaded screw locking mechanisms according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein. 
     Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of example embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and “or” is inclusive, such that “A or B” is satisfied by just A, just B, or a combination of A and B. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.). 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Bird feeding and viewing is the second largest hobby in the world. Last year, at least six billion dollars were spent in the bird feeding market alone. One way people observe birds and other animals in natures is by placing a bird feeder or bird house outdoors to supply birds and other animals with shelter and food. Because birds and other animals realize that food and shelter is being provided for them at a fixed location, the birds and animals may often visit the bird feeders and houses. As such, users may visit the feeders and houses to observe the birds and other animals. 
     Embodiments described herein provide for a system and method that allow for a nature observation device to be coupled to an existing bird feeder, house or another apparatus. The observation device may then capture images, such as videos and pictures, as well as sounds at or near the bird feeder. The observation device may then transmit the images and sounds to a remote receiver, where they may then be uploaded to a website or social networking site so that others at remote locations may be able to observe the sights and sounds at the feeder. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a topology  100  of a system including an observation device  110  which is coupled to computing device  120  through network  130  is depicted. Network  130  may be for example, a wireless network, wired network, or a combination, communications network such as the Internet, wide area network (WAN), general packet radio service (GPRS), enhanced data rate (EDGE system), FM radio, AM radio, or any other type of electronic communications link. 
     Observation device  110  may be an apparatus that is configured to be coupled to a feeder or housing, such as a bird feeder or bird house. For the sake of brevity, the term “feeder” as used herein may describe any type of existing feeder or housing. In one embodiment, observation device  110  may be configured to be disposed on top of an existing feeder, such that observation device  110  may observe activity at the feeder. Observation device  110  may be comprised of UV resistant PVC, plastics, or any other rigid material, and include camera  112 , recorder  114 , transmitter  116 , battery  118  and/or locating system  119 . 
     Camera  112  may be any type of device used to record images or videos that can be stored locally and/or transmitted to another location to be stored. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos. Camera  112  may operate to record images during daytime and during nighttime and may rely on ambient and environmental lighting, make use of night vision technology, and/or have its own light source for low-light imaging. 
     Microphone  114  may be any device that may record, store and/or play back sounds, including sounds recorded in nature. The sounds may be stored locally and/or transmitted to another location to be stored. The sounds may be recorded in analog or digitally and in any known medium. 
     Locating system  119  may be any device that may be used to locate the position of the observation device  110 , such as a GPS, RTLS, or local position system (LPS). Locating system  119  may use beacons such as a cellular data base, Wi-Fi access points, radio broadcast towers, satellites, or any other known elements to determine the geographical location of observation device. Locating system  119  may also include a memory configured to receive and store information about the geographical positioning of observation device  110 . If observation device  110  is relocated or moved, locating system  119  may determine a new geographical position of observation device  110  and store data associated with the position within observation device  110  and/or transmit the data to a remote location. 
     Transmitter  116  may be any device capable of transmitting communications from observation device  110  to a computing device  120  over network  130 . The transmitted communications may be delivered in any known medium such as AM radio waves, FM radio waves, infrared short-range communications, Wi-Fi, or any other known type of wireless telecommunications medium. In one embodiment, transmitter  116  may be configured to transmit the images recorded by camera  112  and sounds recorded by microphone  114  in real time to a remote location along with the data associated with the position of observation device  110 . Transmitter  116  may be configured to transmit the images recorded by camera  112  in a first medium such as Wi-Fi, while the sounds recorded by microphone  114  may be transmitted in a second medium such as FM radio. In another embodiment, transmitter  116  may be configured to transmit the images recorded by camera  112  and the sounds recorded by microphone  114  in both the first and second mediums. In one specific embodiment, transmitter  116  may deliver sounds and images of wild birds and nature recorded by camera  112  and microphone  114  wirelessly over a distance of up to 40 meters to a designated speaker display. The sounds may be transmitted wirelessly via FM transmission to regular FM band radio. Transmitter  118  may also operate at a unique frequency or address, thus eliminating noise for a transmitted signal. In further embodiments, transmitter  118  may also include a receiver, such that it is capable of receiving an FM or other signal. 
     Power source  118  may be any device that is configured to provide electric power to camera  112 , microphone  114  and/or transmitter  116 . In one embodiment power source  118  may be a battery or a combination of batteries, such as a 3 volt, 4.5 volt, 6 volt, and/or 9 volt combination. Battery  118  may also include a solar charging unit configured to cover observation device  110  and to convert sunlight into electricity. The solar charging unit may be configured to recharge the batteries within power source  118  and/or power the observation device  110  directly. Therefore, power source  118  may be a self-sustaining power source for observation device  110 . 
     Computing device  120  may be a computer with a processor such as a computer, smart phone, tablet computer, etc. Computing device  120  may be configured to receive and store the transmitted communications from observation device  110 , and may upload the transmitted communications onto a website  122  in real time. In one embodiment, the website  112  may be a social networking site or any other type of website allowing remote users to observe the sights and sounds recorded in real time by camera  112  and microphone  114  at observation device  110 . The website  112  may also be configured to present data associated with the geographic position of observation device  110  as determined by the locating system  119 . Therefore, people viewing website  112  may be able to know the location of the birds, animals and/or nature being observed by observation device  110 . In one embodiment, website  112  may include an interface that allows users to remotely record images and sounds from observation device  110 . The recorded data may then be played back at any desired time the users who recorded them and/or by any user viewing website  112 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of users may simultaneously view website  112  and simultaneously play back the same or different recorded data at the same time. 
     Speaker  140  may be a device that produces sound in response to an electrical audio signal input. Speaker  140  may be configured to be located inside a consumer&#39;s home, and may include receiver  145 . Receiver  145  may be any device configured to receive data and convert the data into a usable form. In one embodiment, receiver  145  may include an antenna to receive the data over any known medium such as AM radio waves, FM radio waves, infrared short-range communications, Wi-Fi, or any other known type of wireless telecommunications medium. 
     Specifically, receiver  145  may be configured to receive data transmitted by transmitter  116  over network  130 . Transmitter  116  may be configured to transmit data at a unique frequency, address (e.g. MAC or IP address) or with any other type of identifier and receiver  145  may be configured to receive the data from transmitter  116  at the unique frequency, address or identifier. The unique identifier may be an FM radio frequency, AM radio frequency, IP address, or any other type of identification. Therefore, if there are multiple observation devices and paired speakers in close proximity to each other, each such pair will have a transmitter and receiver configured to communicate data with unique signals, so the signals do not cause interference with other pairings. In other words, an observation device and a designated speaker pair are programmed to use a unique individual address so there is no interference caused by the communicated signals, even if two neighbors each with an observation device live next to each other. In one embodiment, observation device  110  may be placed on top of or coupled to an existing feeder and support. Camera  112  and microphone  114  may be positioned to record and store the activity taking place at the feeder. Therefore, if birds congregate at the feeder, observation device  110  may observe the birds. The recorded activity of the birds may then be transmitted over a network  130  and be uploaded to a computing device  120  and/or website  122  in real time and/or in bursts. Therefore, users all over the world may simultaneously view the activities taking place at the feeder in real time. 
     In one embodiment, a hand-held, battery-operated wireless remote may be used to turn on and off power source  118 . Therefore, the observation device  110  may be remotely turned on and off. In one specific embodiment, the remote may operate to turn the observation device  110  on and off from a distance of up to 40 meters, a distance sufficient for many users to control an observation device  110  in the user&#39;s yard from inside the user&#39;s house. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an illustration of an observation device  210  according to an embodiment. 
     Observation device  210  may include rod  220 , first hook  230 , second hook  240 , first dome  250 , second dome  260 , slide bar  270 , slide lock  280 , camera  112  and microphone  114 . 
     First and second domes  250 ,  260  may be housings. First dome  250  may be configured to be placed over or on top of second dome  260 . First dome  250  may be a UV-treated housing. 
     First dome  250  may house electronics such as microphone  114 , power source  118 , and transmitter  116 . In an embodiment, first dome  250  may be UV-resistant PVC and be 5 mm in thickness. On a surface of first dome  250  may be solar charging unit  252  configured to convert sunlight into electricity. Solar charging unit  252  may be solar panels or a solar mesh configured to charge the batteries within observation device  210  or observation device  210  itself. In one embodiment, first dome  250  may have a 5 inch base diameter and be 4 inches tall. First dome  250  may be configured to disposed on top of and/or adjacent to second dome  260 . If slide lock  280  is fastened, first dome  250  may be configured to be coupled to second dome  260 . When slide lock  280  is unfastened, first dome  250  may be free to slide up rod  220  away from second dome  260  for servicing or the like. By coupling first dome  250  to second dome  260 , the electrical components within first dome  250  may be safely housed without exposure to the environment. One skilled in the art will appreciate that first dome  250  may be any shape or size, such as a box, cylinder, etc. Furthermore, in embodiments the first dome  250  may be inside second dome  260  rather than above it. In such embodiments first dome  250  may have a protective bottom surface to prevent animals from damaging the electronics therein. 
     Second dome  260  may be a UV-treated housing. In an embodiment second dome  260  may be UV-resistant PVC and be 5 mm in thickness. In one embodiment, the second dome  260  may have a 16 inch base diameter and be 7 inches tall. Second dome  260  may also include a UV treated surface. Second dome  260  may be configured so that any sized bird feeder may be disposed under second dome  260 . As such, second dome  260  may be substantially larger that first dome  250 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that second dome  260  may be any shape or size, such as a box, cylinder, etc, and that the dimensions of second  260  may be any size. For example, second dome may have a 10 inch, 12 inch or 14 inch base. 
     Second dome  260  may be configured to house slide bar  270  and camera  112 . Slide bar  270  may be configured to be coupled to camera  112 . A length of slide bar  270  may be smaller than a diameter of second dome  260 . Slide bar  270  may be configured to be disposed perpendicular to rod  220  and within second dome  260  and may slide through or adjacent to rod  220  and/or be rotated within second dome  260 . 
     As such, if rod  220  is rotated, slide bar  270  will be correspondingly rotated, or if slide bar  270  is slid within rod  220 , camera  112  may record images with different fields of view. In one embodiment, slide bar  270  may have a thumb screw locking device (not shown). If the thumb screw locking device is tightened, slide bar  270  and camera  112  may be held in place, and if the thumb screw locking device is released, camera  112  and slide bar  270  may slide back and forth to change the field of view of the camera  112  so as to allow users to better see wild birds feeding. In another embodiment, slide bar  270  may be fixed or only rotationally movable and camera  112  may slide along the fixed slide bar to change its position. The slide bar  270  allows for a one-size-fits-all approach, where the observation device can be customized for use with any existing feeder or other animal attraction by adjusting the slide bar/camera to get a good view of the animals or other natural objects of interest. In one embodiment, slide bar  270  may be configured to slide and swivel within rod  220  and may also include a telescopic arm (not shown), which camera  112  may be disposed on. The telescopic arm may be able to extend and/or be compressed to change the field of view of camera  112 . 
     Rod  220  may extend above first dome  250  and below second dome  260 , and be configured to couple first dome  250  and second dome  260 . Rod  220  may be a substantially straight rod with first hook  230  disposed on one end and second hook  240  disposed on a second end. In one embodiment rod  220  may be attached via twist and lock telescoping mechanisms (not shown) to be positioned at different height adjustments. If the twist and lock telescoping mechanism is loosened then rod  220  may be extended or collapsed. Upon extending the telescoping mechanism to a desired length, the twist and lock mechanism can be tightened to secure the length of rod  220 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that instead of first hook  230  and second hook  240  any known coupling mechanism may be used, such as loops, rings, etc. First hook  230  may be configured to be coupled to a tree, post or any other structure that can support the weight of observation device  210  and a feeder. Second hook  240  may be configured to be coupled to a feeder. By coupling first hook  230  to a support structure and second hook  240  to an existing feeder, observation device  210  may be easily coupled to any existing feeder, eliminating the cost of a custom-made feeder tailored to work with the observation system. 
     Slide lock  280  may be positioned on top of first dome  250 . Slide lock  280  may include a thumb screw and lock, and be configured to secure the first dome  250  in place adjacent to second dome  260 . The thumb screw may be tightened so that first dome  250  is coupled and secured to rod  220 , or the thumb screw may be loosened so that first dome  250  may be moved apart from second dome  260  by sliding first dome  250  along rod  220 . More specifically, if the thumb screw is loosened, slide lock  280  may be released so that first dome  250  may be moved away from second dome  260  to access the electronics within first dome  250 . 
     In an embodiment, second dome  260  may also include a locking mechanism (not shown) to couple second dome  260  to rod  220 . If the locking mechanism is released, then second dome  260  may slide along rod  220 , and if the locking mechanism is tightened then second dome  260  may be secured to rod  220 . Therefore, second dome  260  may be positioned at any location along rod  220 , and first dome  250  may be positioned on top of second dome  260 . The domes protect the other elements of the system from the environment. 
     In one embodiment, a transmitter (not shown) may be disposed within first dome  250  and be capable of transmitting communications from observation device  210  to a computing device and/or directly to a website. The transmitted communications may be delivered in any known medium such as AM radio waves, FM radio waves, infrared short-range communications, Wi-Fi, etc. In one embodiment, transmitter may be configured to transmit the images recorded by camera  112  and sounds recorded by microphone  114  in real time to a remote location (i.e. the computer or website). In one embodiment, the website may be a social networking site or any other type of website allowing remote users to observe the sights and sounds recorded by camera  112  and microphone  114  at observation device  210 , respectively, in real time. Therefore, users are not required to be located at the observation device  210  to enjoy nature in close proximity to the observation device. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of first dome  250  according to an embodiment. As depicted, first dome  250  may include power source  118 , microphone  114 , and a digital circuit board that may include a processor and an antenna capable for transmitter  116  to transmit stored or recorded audio and video to a remote location. Each of the components within first dome  250  may be securely fastened or coupled within first dome  250  to be held in place either via screws, male and female snaps, or any other known fastening mechanisms. 
       FIGS. 4A-C  depict a various views of first dome  250 .  FIG. 4A  depicts a bottom view of a first dome  250  including power source  118 , microphone  114 , and a digital circuit board that may include a processor and an antenna capable for transmitter  116  to transmit stored or recorded audio and video to a remote location.  FIG. 4B  depicts a cross-sectional view of first dome  250  including power source  118 .  FIG. 4C  depicts a detailed view of a portion of cross sectional view  4 B showing the opening of power source  118  in a secured closed position. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of first dome  250  and second dome  260  according to an embodiment. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, first dome  250  may be substantially smaller than second dome  260 . Further, second dome  260  may be a transparent material. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a housing  600  for slide bar  270  according to an embodiment. Housing  600  may be a plastic material, which may be transparent. Housing  600  may be removably attached to rod  220  via a threaded screw  610 . Housing  600  may have an internal thread  615  positioned on a side of housing  600  and horizontal to rod  220 . Threaded screw  610  may have external thread  620  configured to be received by internal thread  615 . If screw  610  is tightened then housing  600  may be attached to rod  220 , and if screw  610  is loosened, then housing  600  may be released and removed from rod  220 . 
     Housing  600  may also be configured to house slide bar  270 . Slide bar  270  may be positioned perpendicular to rod  220 , and be positioned on an opposite side of housing  600  as threaded screw  610 . Slide bar  270  may also be configured to slide and be repositioned within housing  600  by releasing and tightening threaded screw  630 . On a surface of housing  600  that is perpendicular to internal thread  615 , housing  600  may include internal thread  640 . Internal thread  640  may be configured to receive external thread  635  of screw  630 . If screw  620  is tightened then sliding bar  270  may be attached to housing  600 , and if screw  630  is loosened, then slide bar  270  may be released and slid to a different position within housing  600 . By sliding slide bar  270  within housing  600 , the field of view of camera  112 , which may be attached to slide bar  270 , may correspondingly be changed. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a camera  112  attached to slide bar  270  according to one embodiment. A first portion  705  of a loop and hook locking system, may be positioned on an outer surface of slide bar  270 . In one embodiment, first hook-and-loop portion  705  may be positioned substantially on lower hemisphere of rod  270 . On a surface of camera  112  opposite of lens  702  may be a second portion  707  of the loop and hook locking system. Hook and loop portion  707  may be configured to be coupled with hook and loop portion  705  to secure camera  112  on slide bar  270  (after tightening first portion  705  around slide bar  270 ). One skilled in the art would appreciate that Velcro  707  may be coupled and uncoupled to Velcro  705  so that camera  112  may be positioned and secured at different locations along slide bar  270  and/or at different angles with respect to slide bar  270 . By positioning camera  112  at different locations along slide bar  270  and/or at different angles, lens  702  of camera  112  may view different fields of view. 
       FIG. 8  depicts one embodiment of an observation device with threaded screw locking mechanisms  280  and  805 . Screw locking mechanism  280  may be positioned above first dome  250  along rod  220 , and include a housing with an internal thread  802  and a screw  804  with an external thread. Screw  804  may be configured to couple with the internal thread of housing  802  to secure first dome  250  along rod  220 . By releasing screw locking mechanism  280  first dome  250  may be removed from rod  220 . 
     Screw locking mechanism  805  may be configured to be positioned at a top portion of second dome  260 , and directly below first dome  250  along rod  220 . Screw locking mechanism  805  may include a housing with an internal thread  807  and a screw  809  with an external thread. Screw  809  may be configured to couple with the internal thread of housing  807  to secure second dome  260  to rod  220  directly below first dome  250 . By releasing screw locking mechanism  805  second dome  260  may be removed from rod  220  and separated from first dome  250 . 
     Advantages described herein allow a double housing observation device to be quickly and easily hooked up to any existing feeder. The observation device may be able to store and record images and sounds at the feeder, and then transmit the images and sounds to a remote location where they may be uploaded in real time to a website or to a social networking site. Therefore, users all over the world will be able to enjoy the sounds and sights of wild birds and nature at an existing feeder, without the need of purchasing an additional custom made feeder. 
     In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment may be able to be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, components, systems, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments. While the embodiments may be illustrated by using a particular embodiment, this is not and does not limit the invention to any particular embodiment and a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional embodiments are readily understandable and are a part of the example embodiments. 
     It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component.