Automated Feeding Automated Feeding Solution for Dog Solution for Dog OwnersOwnersFinal ReportFinal ReportDecember 7, 2007December 7, 2007

ProjectProjectAutomated Dog FeederAutomated Dog Feeder

Project AdvisorProject AdvisorDr. Hongwei WuDr. Hongwei Wu

The Canine Hunger ForceThe Canine Hunger Force

Team MembersTeam MembersJustin WatersJustin Waters Ryan PriceRyan PriceRandy BoucherRandy BoucherAdam HartleyAdam Hartley

Project OverviewProject Overview

Creation of an automated dog feeder which allows the owner to Creation of an automated dog feeder which allows the owner to adjust or set feeding times through web interface GUIadjust or set feeding times through web interface GUI

Eliminates food waste when owner is absent for long periods of Eliminates food waste when owner is absent for long periods of time (i.e. vacation) by controlling feed time and by delivering time (i.e. vacation) by controlling feed time and by delivering appropriate food amounts while the owner is busy or awayappropriate food amounts while the owner is busy or away

Eliminates need for dog boarding during vacationsEliminates need for dog boarding during vacations

Targeted customers - dog owners who travels often, people who Targeted customers - dog owners who travels often, people who would like a dog but may not have the appropriate caring timewould like a dog but may not have the appropriate caring time

Cost of entire project roughly $345Cost of entire project roughly $345

Design FeaturesDesign Features

Owner can interface through web server GUIOwner can interface through web server GUI

PC/feeder communicates through USB DAQ boardPC/feeder communicates through USB DAQ board

Auger operates by use of 12 VDC motorAuger operates by use of 12 VDC motor

12 VDC motor receives power directly from computer power 12 VDC motor receives power directly from computer power

supplysupply

Food stored in sturdy, dry containerFood stored in sturdy, dry container

Owner able to set feeding schedule through web serverOwner able to set feeding schedule through web server

Design OverviewDesign Overview

12 VDC

Ground

USB Interface

GroundAnalog output 0

PC Control

12VDC 50 rpm Motor

5VDC Reed Relay

Coil + Coil -

National Instruments USB 6008 DAQ Board

Ground Load Cell / Weight Sensor

5VDC

Return

12V DC Gear Motor12V DC Gear Motor

Horse Power 0.8W (60 mA no load)

TorqueTorque 12 Lb-inch(1 Ft-lb)12 Lb-inch(1 Ft-lb)

SpeedSpeed 50 rpm50 rpm

Length of MotorLength of Motor 54 mm (2.13 54 mm (2.13 inches)inches)

Weight of MotorWeight of Motor 3 ounces3 ounces

Sensor Compression Sensor Compression Load Cell Load Cell

This load cell is rated for up to 5 lbsThis load cell is rated for up to 5 lbs

Powered by a 5 VDC input signalPowered by a 5 VDC input signal

The output is an analog signal that ranges form 0 – 5 volts and the The output is an analog signal that ranges form 0 – 5 volts and the

amount of weight determines the voltageamount of weight determines the voltage

The DAQ board provides a 5 VDC supply rail for loads under 200 mA,The DAQ board provides a 5 VDC supply rail for loads under 200 mA,

allowing us to power the load cell allowing us to power the load cell

Web ServerWeb Server

Windows IIS version 5.1Windows IIS version 5.1

Allows user access from any Internet-connected PCAllows user access from any Internet-connected PC

User input taken from form on web pageUser input taken from form on web page

Food consumption data logged and displayed when Food consumption data logged and displayed when requestedrequested

Webpage based profile Webpage based profile modificationmodification

User accesses custom web page hosted on dog feeder PCUser accesses custom web page hosted on dog feeder PC

User modifies feeding schedule in the web based tableUser modifies feeding schedule in the web based table

Table is saved as a tab-delimited text file to the serverTable is saved as a tab-delimited text file to the server

LabView based software loads the text file values into array LabView based software loads the text file values into array used to control feederused to control feeder

LabView creates text file with consumption data which is LabView creates text file with consumption data which is read back into a webpageread back into a webpage

Software Structure Software Structure DiagramDiagram

Graphical User Interface

Read Dataindex.php

Export DatawriteData.php

userFile.txt

View Logdata.php

Control FeederMain Program.vi

userFile.txt

Create LogMain Program.vi

labFile.txt

Web page GUIWeb page GUI

Input Verification

Web page GUIWeb page GUIFood Consumption

Log

Data Acquisition Data Acquisition SolutionSolution

National Instruments USB-6008 student kit chosenNational Instruments USB-6008 student kit chosen

USB based data acquisition unit provides versatilityUSB based data acquisition unit provides versatility

Labview Student Edition provided with bundleLabview Student Edition provided with bundle

Visual ProgrammingVisual Programming

Food distribution function loopFood distribution function loop

Visual ProgrammingVisual Programming

Issues encountered included having to add a running average to Issues encountered included having to add a running average to the load cell sub-function to prevent premature motor shutoffthe load cell sub-function to prevent premature motor shutoff

Cost AnalysisCost Analysis

Prototype Component Prices per Unit

Component Cost

National Instruments USB-6008 DAQ Board $160

DC Motor $30

Load Cell Approximately $30

Food Bowl Approximately $5

Hopper Free

Web server Software and Hardware Free (hardware already obtained)

Enclosure $100

Miscellaneous hardware/ wires $20

Total $345

Cost AnalysisCost Analysis

Mass Production Component Prices per Unit

Component Cost

National Instruments USB-6008 DAQ Board $120

DC Motor $13 [5]

Load Cell $5

Food Bowl $1

Hopper $1

Web server Software and Hardware $30 Web server software free; open source)

Miscellaneous hardware/ wires $20

Fringe Benefits, Overheard, Advertising $10

Total $200

Project TimelineProject TimelinePlanned Aug Aug Sep Sep Sep Sep Oct Oct Oct Nov Oct Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec DecTask Duration Who 20 27 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 3 10

Decide on Project 1 week allResearch Specifics 6 weeks allFind Webserver 4 weeks rpFind DAQ Board 4 weeks rbFind Hopper/Feeder Mechanism4 weeks jwFind Load Sensor 4 weeks ahProposal 1 week allAcquire Parts 2 weeks allAssembly 1 week allUnit Testing 4 weeks allField Testing 4 weeks allFinal Demostration 1 week all

Actual Aug Aug Sep Sep Sep Sep Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec DecTask Duration Who 20 27 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 3 10

Decide on Project 1 week allResearch Specifics 5 weeks allFind DAQ Board 4 weeks rbFind Hopper/Feeder Mechanism 4 weeks ah/jwFind Load Sensor 4 weeks ah/jwProposal 1 week allAcquire Parts 2 weeks allAssembly 2 weeks allImplementing web Server 4 weeks rpUnit Testing 3 weeks allFinal Demonstration 1 week all

Operational FlowchartOperational Flowchart

Weightreached?

StartMain program loaded on dog

feeder

User enters feeding schedule LabView reads schedule

Time to dispense food?

Motor on

Motor off

No

Yes

No

LabView creates log entry

AutoCAD DesignAutoCAD Design

Shortcomings/Shortcomings/AlternativesAlternatives Webcam could have been integrated into project for live Webcam could have been integrated into project for live

monitoringmonitoring

Automatic feeding profile modification not implementedAutomatic feeding profile modification not implemented

Motor covering to ensure unexposed wiringMotor covering to ensure unexposed wiring

Chute design needs refining to minimize spillageChute design needs refining to minimize spillage

For production models custom circuits could be designed for For production models custom circuits could be designed for analog inputs/outputs to replace DAQ boardanalog inputs/outputs to replace DAQ board

DemonstrationDemonstration

Log in to web server using internet browserLog in to web server using internet browser

Adjust feeding schedule to demonstrate featuresAdjust feeding schedule to demonstrate features

Show consumption data after each distributionShow consumption data after each distribution

Remove random amount of food after second distributionRemove random amount of food after second distribution

Compare removed weight to amount consumedCompare removed weight to amount consumed

Discuss tolerances and running average effectDiscuss tolerances and running average effect