Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/505,193 filed on Jul. 7, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a system and method for remotely controlling an animal feeder using a communication device such as a smartphone or another mobile device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary control system and method for remotely controlling an electro-mechanical device using a wireless mobile communication device such as a smartphone; 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  a simplified diagram representation of an exemplary screen shot of a graphical user interface of a software application executing on the mobile device; 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  a simplified diagram representation of another exemplary screen shot of a graphical user interface of a software application executing on the mobile device; and 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a simplified diagram representation of yet another exemplary screen shot of a graphical user interface of a software application executing on the mobile device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary control system and method  10  for remotely controlling an existing electro-mechanical device (the controlled device)  12  using a mobile device  14  such as a mobile telephone (Apple iPhone, iTouch, and iPad devices, Kindle devices, Nook devices, and any BlackBerry, Android, Samsung, Nokia, HTC, Motorola, and like devices now known or later developed), laptop, tablet PC, and the like. The mobile device  14  is capable of downloading and executing software applications (apps)  16  from an app store  18  and over a global computer network  20  via the cellular mobile telephone network, a satellite network, etc. Alternatively, the app  16  may be downloaded to a personal computer or laptop (not shown) first and then transferred to the mobile device  14 . The mobile device  14  is further equipped with a short-distance wireless communications interface now known or later developed such as WiFi, Bluetooth, infrared, etc. The system  10  is also equipped with a short-distance wireless communications interface  22  such as WiFi, Bluetooth, infrared, and the like for communicating with the mobile device  14 . Alternatively, the system  10  may communicate and receive commands from the mobile device  14  via the cellular telephone network, satellite communication network, and global computer network, for example. It should be understood that suitable routers and relays may be incorporated in the communication path between the system  10  and mobile device  14  as needed. It should also be understood that the system and method  10  described herein may be adapted to incorporate any type of wireless communication method using any protocol now known or to be developed. 
         [0008]    The system  10  includes a processor  24  that is operable to execute a plurality of coded instructions stored in memory. The processor  24  further includes a timer  26  in communication with the wireless interface  22  to control an electro-mechanical actuator  28  such as a motor, solenoid, and/or valve. Alternatively, the processor  24  is operable to generate an electrical signal that may be used to control or turn on/off a device, such to drive a loud speaker, to play pre-recorded varmint or game call. The processor  24  includes a suitable memory device  30  to store program code and/or log data. The system  10  also includes a speaker  32  coupled to the processor  24 . A battery  34  and the like is used to provide electricity to the circuits and components of the system  10 . An optional power generator  36  such as a solar panel may be included. If necessary, a small screen may be incorporated to display status and other information. 
         [0009]    In operation, the system  10  may be used to control, via the app executing on the mobile device  14 , a plurality of devices that are electro-mechanically actuated. For example, a sportsman&#39;s control system  10  may be operable to control devices such as game feeders, animal feeders, trap and skeet shooting machines, decoys with moving parts, etc. The app may be pre-programmed with a set of feeder time schedules ideally suited for attracting certain game, or for raising certain types of animals, for example. Many aspects of the electro-mechanical actuator may be controlled by the mobile device. For example, feed time, feed frequency, feed duration, etc. may be set and controlled using the software app. An exemplary list of data and control messages transmitted in ASCII format is set forth below:
   Feed Time  1 - 10  with Days   Feed Duration for Times  1 - 10  (can be included with each feed time set message)   Instant On   Instant On Duration   Instant On Delay (test delay)   Battery Volts (6v or 12v) display   Battery Volts Backup   Last Feed Time   Number of Feeds since last cleared   Spin power  1 - 10     Time/Date   WIFI Config Mode info   WIFI Name Mode   # of Feeds Left on Battery   Factory Defaults Reset   
 
         [0025]    The system  10  may also include appropriate controls and interfaces to remotely operate and control (On/Off, record, pan, zoom, etc.) video cameras and/or still photography cameras (either integrated with system  10  or stand-alone models), and play pre-recorded animal calls (On/Off, timed, volume control, etc.). The app executing on the mobile device  14  may be used to set and reset the timers at which times the electro-mechanical actuator is turned on and off or manipulated in a certain way, for example. 
         [0026]    The control system  10  is preferably enclosed within a weather-tight enclosure for outdoor applications and may be installed to work with any device where remote control is desirable. All circuit components are also preferably rated to withstand outdoor temperatures. 
         [0027]    The description of  FIGS. 2-4  below sets forth examples of typical applications of a control system, but the control system concept described herein should not be limited to these examples. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a simplified diagram representation of an exemplary screen shot of a graphical user interface of a software application  16  executing on the mobile device  14 . In the examples, a touch screen implementation is contemplated although other user interfaces may be used.  FIG. 2  shows an exemplary screen shot  40  for an animal or game feeder application. The screen may display the percentage charge in the available power for the system, and the voltage level the system is currently operating on  42 . The current battery voltage or status may be displayed on the screen, and a warning may be incorporated if the battery&#39;s power has fallen below a certain level, for example. A warning display that indicates the number of feedings left that can be supported by the current battery power level could be incorporated. The screen further displays a current time  43 . Preferably, the date and time of the system  10  are automatically in sync with the mobile device&#39;s date and time setting. Alternatively, the date and time of the system  10  may also be set via the graphical user interface of the app  16 . As referenced at numeral  44 , each control system may be assigned a unique name or identifier by the user to distinguish each control system from a plurality of control systems.  FIG. 2  shows a screen shot for Feeder # 1 . The user may selectively communicate and control a particular control system by selecting the name or identifier of a control system. The user may further set each control system to become receptive on a schedule, such as every 5 minutes on the clock or 15 minutes, etc. So once set the user would be able to connect and communicate with each control system at these time intervals on the clock. Preferably, all setup may be done using the mobile device  14  and the app  16 . 
         [0029]    A feeder status  46  is also shown on the screen to indicate the last feeding time and the next scheduled feed time. As shown, a “Feed Now!” button  48  may be used to set off the feeder immediately for a user-defined or default time duration. This function is especially useful for testing the feeder setup. A time delay for testing or using this feature may be incorporated so that the user is able to leave the feeder area. 
         [0030]    The graphical user interface also includes a menu  50  having a plurality of options to access other functions, including feeder, set timer, settings, and data, for example. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a simplified diagram representation of another exemplary screen shot  60  of a graphical user interface of a software application  16  executing on the mobile device  14 . This screen  60  provides the user information about the current timer settings. This screen may be used to access the edit and add timer functions using buttons  62  and  63 . As shown, the current feed time settings include two daily feedings  64  and  65 , one at 6:30 AM, and a second one at 7:30 PM, for example. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a simplified diagram representation of yet another exemplary screen shot  70  of a graphical user interface of a software application  16  executing on the mobile device  14 . This screen  70  provides the user the ability to set or edit a timer. The buttons  72  and  73  are used to save and cancel the timer setting, respectively. The setting for the timer includes feed time,  74 , feed duration  76 , on/off  78 , and days of the week  80 . 
         [0033]    The screen may also report feed time errors if the timer did not go off when it was scheduled to, such as when the battery power was too low. A backup battery may be automatically used to supply additional power for continued feeder operation and recording of feeder status, for example, when the main battery power drops below a certain level. A log may be recorded to maintain the feeder&#39;s operating status over a certain period of time and overwritten with newer status information. The processor is operable to receive operating parameter information from the electro-mechanical actuator that is then transmitted to the mobile device. 
         [0034]    Another aspect of the feeder that may be controlled via the mobile device includes the spin rate of the feeder to control the range the feed is flung out. In some applications, a larger feed radius is desirable but in other applications, a more controlled and smaller feed pattern is desirable. Accordingly, the actuation of the motor may be pulsed or modulated and set by the mobile device app to control the spin rate. 
         [0035]    Other functions include track the feed usage calculated based on the timer settings, and provide a calendar date for refilling the feeder. 
         [0036]    The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth below with particularity in the appended claims. However, modifications, variations, and changes to the exemplary embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the control system and method described herein thus encompass such modifications, variations, and changes and are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein.

Technology Category: h