The disclosed subject matter relates to a system methane monitoring device. Particularly, the present disclosed subject matter is directed to continuous methane monitoring of exhaled air from ruminants, such as livestock, e.g., cattle.
Ruminants, such as livestock produce methane gas by exhalation and other means during their digestion of plant life. There is a need to accurately monitor, and reduce, said methane gas production for both animal husbandry efficiency and global warming concerns, among others. A vaccine may produce a reduction in said methane production, however there is no cost-effective way to monitor the efficacy of said vaccine in ruminants.
There thus remains a need to monitor the methane production of ruminants in exhaled air over time, without restricting movement of the animal, and receive accurate and time-stamped data which may aid vaccine efficacy/production, as well as the calculation of carbon credits based on a quantifiable reduction in methane gas production. One technique for attaching a monitoring device to an animal is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2023/0038208, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in and apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be learned by practice of the disclosed subject matter. Additional advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be realized and attained by the methods and systems particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes a methane monitoring device including a harness component, the harness component configured to adjustably and releasably fix to a ruminant, a monitoring component releasably fixed to the harness component, the monitoring component disposed proximate the ruminant's nostrils and further having a nostril cover disposed proximate the ruminant's nostrils, at least one sensor configured to detect methane concentration in air, a data storage component in electrical communication with the sensor, the data storage component configured to store data.
In some embodiments, the monitoring component may include an oxygen sensor and/or a carbon dioxide sensor.
In some embodiments, the monitoring component may include a pressure sensor.
In some embodiments, monitoring component may include a relative humidity sensor and a temperature sensor.
In some embodiments, the monitoring component may include a transceiver in electrical communication with the data storage component and configured to transmit the data.
In some embodiments, the monitoring component may include an accelerometer.
In some embodiments, the system further comprising a neck board, the neck board releasably coupled to the harness component.
In some embodiments, the neck board may include an ambient air intake and at least one of an oxygen sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a pressure sensor, a relative humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, or an accelerometer.
In some embodiments, the neck board may include an electrical power component electrically coupled to a charge management controller.
In some embodiments, wherein the monitoring component may include an intake duct in fluid communication with the nostril cover, the intake duct coupled to a fan, the fan configured to force gas through the intake duct.
In some embodiments, the intake duct is in fluid communication with an airflow sensor.
In some embodiments, the monitoring component may include a filter.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes a methane monitoring device including a ring component having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, defining a radial thickness therebetween, the ring component further having a first ring portion having an arcuate shape and a second ring portion having an arcuate shape, each of the first and the second rings portions having a first and a second ends, wherein the second ring portion is configured to hingedly rotate relative to the first ring portion at the first end, and releaseably couple to the first ring portion at the second end, a housing coupled to an inner perimeter of the first ring portion, the housing having a generally planar first wall and second wall forming a chord of the ring component, defining a cavity disposed therebetween, at least one sensor disposed within the housing, the at least one sensor configured to detect a concentration of methane, wherein the first ring portion has a piercing component.
In some embodiments, the first ring portion has an arcuate hollow portion therein.
In some embodiments, at least one filter is disposed within the arcuate hollow portion.
In some embodiments, the housing may include at least a second sensor disposed therein.
In some embodiments, the housing may include a fan configured to displace a gas within at least a portion of the ring component or the housing component.
In some embodiments, at least one sensor may include an oxygen sensor and a carbon dioxide sensor.
In some embodiments, at least one sensor may include a pressure sensor, a relative humidity sensor or a temperature sensor.
In some embodiments, the monitoring component may include an accelerometer.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes a method for monitoring a gas, the method including installing the gas monitoring on a ruminant; and measuring at least one first parameter of a gas emitted from the ruminant over a first period of time.
In some embodiments, the gas is a greenhouse gas or precursor thereof.
In some embodiments, the gas is methane.
In some embodiments, the ruminant is a cow or a sheep.
In some embodiments, the gas is exhaled or eructed from the ruminant.
In some embodiments, the method further includes administering one or more compositions to the ruminant.
In some embodiments, the one or more compositions comprises at least one of a feed additive, a small molecule inhibitor, or a vaccine.
In some embodiments, the method further includes measuring at least one second parameter of the gas emitted from the ruminant over a second period of time.
In some embodiments, the first period and the second period of time are between approximately one day and a year.
In some embodiments, the first period and the second period of time are between approximately two weeks and six months.
In some embodiments, the at least one first parameter and second parameter are an amount of methane emitted from the ruminant.
In some embodiments, measuring the amount of methane emitted from the ruminant comprises integrating between approximately 10-100% of the measurements over the first period or the second period.
In some embodiments, the method further includes determining a differential amount of greenhouse gas produced in the second period compared to the first period.
In some embodiments, the method further includes determining an amount of mitigated greenhouse gas and/or precursors thereof in response to the administration of the at least one composition to the ruminant between the first period and the second period.
In some embodiments, the method further includes calculating a carbon credit based on the amount of mitigated greenhouse gas and/or precursors thereof.
In some embodiments, measuring at least one first parameter or the at least one second parameter of a gas emitted from the ruminant comprises measuring at a frequency of approximately 0.1-1000 samples per second over the first period or the second period.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes a method for monitoring the health or productivity of a rumen, the method including installing a gas monitoring device on a ruminant having a rumen, measuring at least one parameter of a gas emitted from the ruminant, measuring at least one parameter of the ruminant, calculating a health or productivity of the rumen based on the at least one parameter of the gas, normalizing the health or productivity of the rumen to the at least one parameter of the ruminant and producing a rumen health or productivity value.
In some embodiments, the gas is a greenhouse gas or precursor thereof that has been exhaled or eructed by the ruminant.
In some embodiments, the gas is methane.
In some embodiments, the at least one parameter of the ruminant is a temperature, a standing time, a laying time, a feeding time, a quantity eaten, a drinking time, or a quantity drank.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosed subject matter claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the method and system of the disclosed subject matter. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter.
A detailed description of various aspects, features, and embodiments of the subject matter described herein is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The drawings are illustrative and are not necessarily drawn to scale, with some components and features being exaggerated for clarity. The drawings illustrate various aspects and features of the present subject matter and may illustrate one or more embodiment(s) or example(s) of the present subject matter in whole or in part.
Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The method and corresponding steps of the disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with the detailed description of the system.
The methods and systems presented herein may be used for monitoring and analyzing animal exhalation. The disclosed subject matter is particularly suited for continuous monitoring of methane included in a ruminant's exhaled air. Ruminants include, but are not limited to, cattle (e.g., large domesticated ruminant animals, e.g., cows (including dairy cattle), bulls), all domesticated and wild bovines (i.e., those belonged to the family Bovidae; e.g., cows, bulls, bison, yaks, African buffalos, water buffalos, antelopes), goats, sheep, giraffes, deer, caribou, and gazelles. As used herein, the term “ruminant” includes ruminant-like animals or pseudo-ruminant animals such as macropods, llamas, camels, and alpacas.
For purpose of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an exemplary embodiment of the system in accordance with the disclosed subject matter is shown in
Any device described herein may be utilized on a ruminant within a standard grazing area and under standard grazing conditions. Any device and method described herein may be located in an intensive production environment such as feedlots or grazed productions environments such as ranges. In various embodiments, the devices and methods may be utilized in grazed production environments where low-touch measurement technologies with little large scale infrastructure is needed to monitor the animals, as described herein. In various embodiments, the time period of measurement may be any described herein, such as one day to one year, such as one to six months or more. Any device described herein may be used in a commercial cattle environment or commercial livestock environment. In various embodiments, any device and system described herein may be configured for use in outdoor weather conditions, including but not limited to rain, wind, dust, and frost. In various embodiments, any device or system described herein may be configured for continuous operation of at least 60 days. In various embodiments, continuous operation may include no intervention at the system's nominal sampling and reporting intervals. The systems and devices described herein may be configured for use in −10-50 degrees C., relative humidities between 5-95%, non-condensing and ambient atmospheric pressures of 80-120 kPa. The system described herein may be between 1-10 lbs. The system described herein may be approximately 5 lbs. The system and device may self calibrate for up to 20 minutes each 12-hour period.
Referring now to
For example and without limitation, monitoring component 104 may measure a methane concentration and neck board 108 may measure a quantity of ambient air. One or both of monitoring component 104 and neck board 108 may be communicatively connected to one another or an off site computing system. For example and without limitation, one or both of monitoring component 104 and neck board 108 may measure and store data related to exhaled gas and ambient air, and transmit said data in the form of electrical signals wired or wirelessly to a computing system. For example and without limitation, one or both of monitoring component 104 and neck board 108 may transmit the data to a data storage component or a computing system based on a geolocation of the ruminant, for example when the ruminant enters a barn or a certain radius from the computing system. Neck board 108 will be described in greater detail herein below. The system may have a Bluetooth low energy link to allow for wireless, automated export of collected data at predetermined periodic intervals. The system may have onboard, non-volatile storage suitable for retaining at least 60 days of continuous sampling at the nominal data rates, such as a micro SD card as will be described herein.
In various embodiments, any sensor or device as described herein may be capable of self-zeroing or zeroing as a response to an interaction with a computing device or a user. For example and without limitation, the system or device may be configured to connect to a control device, docking station or base station. For example and without limitation, the system and devices described herein may be configured to be calibrated, allowing for a known gas to be used to determine one or more coefficients for the gas. Calibration may be automatic or manual. The system may have more than one operating mode, such as 3 operating modes: Calibration, Zeroing, and Normal Operating Mode. Calibration may be used to input calibration gasses, animal information, etc. When in calibration mode the system shall have a method to intake gas concentrations as they are injected into the system. (i.e. input the O2 concentration % as it is used). Zeroing may indicate the device is not on an animal and can be used for baseline measurements, drift measurements, or ambient monitoring. The system may be zeroed with 100% Nitrogen gas. Normal operation is intended for use for data collection on the animal. Upon system power on the system shall be fully operational within 2 minutes.
As shown in
For example and without limitation, harness 112 may include one or more adjustable straps extending at least partially around a ruminant's head and secured with a buckle, such as a quick attach/release plastic buckle with pinch sides. Harness 112 may include one more padded straps configured to cushion the abrasion around the ruminant's head, especially around corners and features of the skull, face, horns, neck, ears, eyes, beak, crest, or other features of the animal. Harness 112 may be formed from nylon, cotton, ballistic nylon, leather, Kevlar, wool, plastics, rubbers, canvas, a combination thereof, or another material not listed herein. Harness 112 may include an elasticity configured to stretch around the features of the ruminant's head and tighten when in place. Harness 112 may include one or more adjustment features like straps and buckles, double D-rings, pull tabs, holes, slots, hooks and loops, or the like. Harness 112 may include one or more settings, sizes, or shapes configured to secure around the head of an animal, such as a ruminant, or a plurality of successive animals, of the same species or otherwise. Harness 112 may include a plurality of attachment points along its length for additional straps/pads/features configured to better secure around a ruminant's head. Harness 112 may be a commercial or custom halter. Harness 112 may include break-away design features configured to break before injury to the animal occurs.
With further reference to
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Thus, in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, the harness is configured to position the monitoring component 104 in direct fluid communication with the animal's nostril, but spaced a distance (e.g. 0.5˜20 mm) away from the animal to minimizes/avoid direct contact with the nostril. This reduces irritation of the animal, and therefore reduces the likelihood that the animal resists being fitted with the apparatus, and/or seeks to break or dislodge the apparatus.
Harness 112 may be configured to extend around the jaws of the ruminant, herein shown as a cow, but behind the mouth as to not interfere with the cow's eating, breathing, or vocalizations. Additionally, the harness can be elastic to allow for a range of motion to accommodate routine movement (e.g. chewing). These embodiments are for illustration only, and one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any arrangement of straps, pads, helmets, hooks, or other features may be used to secure monitoring component 104 proximate the cow's nostrils as well as other components hereinbelow described.
With continued reference to
Monitoring component 104 may be coupled to harness 112 via webbing, one or more slots or the like configured to receive the strap, such as a bracket 202, as shown in 2A and 2B. Bracket 202 may be configured to mount adjustably along a housing 203 or portion thereof. For example, housing 203 may have a rail or other geometric feature configured to coupled to the bracket 202 and adjust for the ruminant's head and face. Bracket 202 may be coupled to housing 203 via mechanical fasteners, such as screws and the like. In various embodiments, bracket 202 may be coupled to the housing 203 via a press fit or other geometric feature, such as protrusions and recesses. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Monitoring component 104 may include a plurality of weight-saving features such as cutouts, carve outs, recesses, or the like. Monitoring component 104 may include one or more ribs assembled into it or manufactured to increase strength. Monitoring component 104 may include a quick attach feature. Quick attach feature may allow a user to quickly detach the “smart” component of the device 100 from harness 112, which may still be attached to the ruminant, and perform a plurality of functions and/or switch the monitoring device 104 with another. Quick attach feature may include a buckle, pull tab, push button, or other elastically deformed component configured to secure with a recess until deflected back and removed. Quick attach feature may be configured for use with one hand, such as a pinching motion. Quick attach feature may be configured to secure into harness 112 with one hand, such as slidably connecting.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Nostril cover 201d may also include a generally planar distal wall extending downwardly from the top portion 201a and connecting the sidewalls 201b,c. Thus, the nostril cover 201 serves as an arcuate hollow hood or shield to both position the monitoring component proximate the nostrils, while also blocking ambient air from interfering with (e.g. mixing or diluting) the exhalation from the animal. In various embodiments, nostril cover 201 may extend over the nostrils at a uniform distance, such that the nostril cover mirrors the shapes of the nostril. For example, nostril cover 201 may extend downward over the nostrils as to cover the entire nostril, allowing access to ambient air underneath the hood of the nostril cover 201. In various embodiments, nostril cover 201 may extend downward a greater distance on the sides of each nostril and a lesser distance in front of the nostrils, as to allow for more airflow for the animal. Nostril cover 201 may be expandable or reconfigurable (e.g. walls 201a, b, c can be telescoping or configured with a flexible accordion-style collapsing design) so as to adjust to the size and shape of the ruminant's snout and nostrils. Nostril cover 201 may have various channels formed therein configured to capture gas in the arcuate hood portion and direct said gas into the channels and further into the housing 203.
Nostril cover 201 may be disposed facing the nostrils of the ruminant, such as cow's snout, in some embodiments. Nostril cover 201 may include a separate intake for each of the two nostrils of a ruminant; alternatively, a single intake can receive exhalation from both nostrils. Nostril cover 201 may be configured to mirror the shape of the ruminant's nostrils and/or mouth. In some embodiments, the monitoring component can include a positioning features (e.g., weights distributed at the bottom/center of the device; contoured outer surface to engage animal anatomy) which act to bias/urge the device into a preferred position on the animal such that the nostril cover 201 is properly aligned with the ruminant's orifice(s) (e.g., nostrils).
Nostril cover 201 may include a vapor barrier to prevent humidity in the air from entering the monitoring component 104. Nostril cover 201 may include a humidity sensor configured to measure the moisture in the exhaled air. Nostril cover 201 may include software and/or hardware configured to manipulate/compensate the measurements to account for environmental factors such as humidity when measuring gaseous compounds. For example, and without limitation, nostril cover 201 may include any compensation hardware/software based on the sensor type utilized in said embodiment. Nostril cover 201 may include a plurality of intakes designated for each nostril/mouth. Nostril cover 201 may include a nozzle (e.g., tube or straw) configured to enter the nostrils of the animals to intake exhaled air. Nostril cover 201 may include tubes or straws configured to move in and out of a ruminant's nostrils upon command, upon detection of one or more compounds, or periodically. The nostril cover 201 may include tubes/straws or another form of invasive intakes configured to enter the livestock's nostrils. Nostril cover 201 may extend into monitoring component 104 and include one or more sensors as described herein below.
Nostril cover 201 may include one or more turns configured to manipulate the gaseous sample taken in. For example, the shape of the internal tubing of nostril cover 201 may be used to separate methane from other gases within the exhaled air by gravity or in an active process like an absorber. Housing 203 or nostril cover 201 itself may include one or more fans configured to assist gas in entering the monitoring component 104. The fan used may include a propeller type fan, a bladeless fan, or another type of fluid movement device, like a pump.
With reference to
In some embodiments, housing 203 may include an outlet. The outlet may be one or more ports within housing 203 configured to exhaust processed air. The outlet may include one or more fans configured to pull air through housing 203. The outlet may include one or more absorption agents configured to capture one or more compounds before exhausting air back into the environment. Outlet may include an open hole, opening, cutout or other pass through in housing 203 such that air may pass through the nostril cover 201 and out of the outlet.
Optionally, the monitoring component 104, neck board 108, harness 112 can include an indicator to confirm (visually, audibly, and/or tactile/haptic feedback) to an operator that the device is properly positioned on the animal with the nostril cover 201 receiving a flow of exhaled methane from the animal. In some embodiments, the device can include an alert/alarm system to notify the operator if/when the device is misplaced, which can be determined based on an absent/interrupted flow at the nostril cover 201.
Referring now to 2B, an exploded view of housing 203 of monitoring component 104 is shown in isometric view. Housing 203 may be formed from an enclosure defined by a top cover 203a and a base tray 203b. Top cover 203a and base tray 203b may be fastened with mechanical fasteners 218. Top cover 203a and base tray 203b may have corresponding geometric features configured to form a seal (e.g. hermetic) therebetween. Housing 203 may include a seal 215 disposed between top cover 203a and base tray 203b. Seal 215 may be a rubber gasket configured to seat within a groove and compressed by one or both of top cover 203a and base tray 203b. Seal 215 may circumscribe the perimeter of housing 203, or a portion thereof, as shown in
Monitoring component 104 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 25 disposed within the housing 203. PCB 25 may be attached within housing 203 via one or more mechanical fasteners, or by chemical adhesives suitable for use with PCBs. PCB 25 may be electrically coupled to at least one sensor 210.
Monitoring component 104 includes at least a sensor 210. Sensor 210 may be disposed within at least a portion of housing 203 and in the path of exhaled gas channeled from nostril cover 201. Sensor 210 may be disposed along the wall of a tube within monitoring component 104. In various embodiments, sensor 210 may be disposed proximate intake duct 208. Intake duct 208 may include fan 207 (as described herein above). In various embodiments, fan 207 may be encased in a square casing, the square casing being 17.5 mm squared. In various embodiments, fan 207 may be integral to intake duct 208. In various embodiments, there may be more than one fan 207 in fluid communication with the intake duct 208. In various embodiments, intake duct 208 may be coupled to sensor 210 and sealed with an O-ring 209 therebetween. In various embodiments, O-ring 209 may be formed from EPDM with an inner diameter of 8 mm and an outer diameter of 13 mm and a width of 2.5 mm. There may be O-rings of a same or similar configuration between any fluid conducting components described herein. Sensor 210 may include a plurality of sensors working in tandem such as a sensor suite to detect methane and quantify the amount of methane present in the sampled gas. Sensor 210 may include an infrared sensor, a photoacoustic sensor, ultrasonic sensor, electrochemical sensor, metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) sensor, or a combination thereof, among others. One or more other sensors may be used that operate according to semiconductors, oxidation, catalytic reactions, photoionization, infrared, or a combination thereof. For example, and without limitation, sensor 210 may include an electrochemical gas sensor. Electrochemical gas sensors may measure the concentration of a target gas, such gaseous methane by oxidizing or reduction the target gas at an electrode and measuring the resulting current. Sensor 210 may be a photoionization detector (PID) configured to measure volatile organic compounds and other gases in concentrations such as parts per billion to parts per million. Sensor 210 may produce instantaneous readings, operate continuously, and are commonly used as detectors for gas chromatography or as hand-held portable instruments.
Further, any one of at least one sensor 210 may be a photoacoustic and/or ultrasonic sensor. This type of sensor may detect the acoustic emission created when a pressured gas expands in a low pressure area through a small orifice, such as a gas entering the nostril cover 201. The photoacoustic sensor may detect the presence of methane or another gaseous compound and the concentration thereof, whether itself or in tandem with another sensor or sensor suite.
Further, sensor 210 may be a holographic gas sensor. Holographic gas sensor may use light reflection to detect changes in a polymer film matrix containing a hologram. Since holograms reflect light at certain wavelengths, a change in their composition can generate a colorful reflection indicating the presence of a gas molecule. However, holographic sensors require illumination sources such as white light or lasers, and an observer or CCD detector. A holographic sensor is a device that may include a hologram embedded in a smart material that detects certain molecules or metabolites. This detection is usually a chemical interaction that is transduced as a change in one of the properties of the holographic reflection (as in the Bragg reflector), either refractive index or spacing between the holographic fringes. The specificity of the sensor can be controlled by adding molecules in the polymer film that selectively interacts with the molecules of interest. A holographic sensor aims to integrate the sensor component, the transducer and the display in one device for fast reading of molecular concentrations based in colorful reflections or wavelengths.
In various embodiments, sensor 210 may be an airflow sensor. As described herein above, airflow sensor may be electrically coupled to one or more other electrical components and may operate to direct power to said other components when flow is measured. The system may be capable of measuring or calculating airflow over the sensing region for all gasses. The system may be capable of measuring (or calculating) airflow in the range of 350-500 cc/min (0.35-0.5 L/min) over the gas sensing region. The system may have an airflow sensing accuracy of +1-10%. The system may measure airflow at the same sampling rate as the CH4 sensor (0.016667-1 HZ). The system may have an airflow response time of less than 500 ms.
The holographic sensors can be read from a fair distance because the transducer element is light that has been refracted and reflected by the holographic grating embedded in the sensor. For example, sensor 210 may be configured to be sensitive to methane at about ˜100 ppm (parts per million) and delta (or change over a time period) of +/−5% concentration.
Monitoring component 104 may include at least one sensor 206. Sensor 206 may be configured to measure one or more similar phenomena as sensor 210. In various embodiments sensor 206 may be configured to measure a different quantity or phenomenon than sensors 210. In various embodiments, sensor 206 may be a CO2 sensor. In various embodiments, sensor 206 may be a humidity or relative humidity sensor.
In various embodiments, sensor 206 may be a barometric pressure sensor. The system may monitor ambient atmospheric pressure. The system may be capable of monitoring or calculating the barometric pressure of any gasses under measurement. The system may be capable of measuring ambient barometric pressures between 80 and 120 kPa. The system shall have an ambient barometric pressure accuracy of +/−5 kPa. The system may monitor barometric pressure changes at a rate of once per minute or report changes of greater than 5%.
In various embodiments, sensor 206 may be a temperature sensor.
In various embodiments, the CO2 sensor may be a SCD41-D-R2 sensor. The system may measure emitted CO2 levels from the nostrils of the animal under study. The system may measure CO2 levels between 0 and 5,000 PPM and report the measurement in PPM. The system may have an accuracy of +/−5% or better when measuring CO2. The system may a drift of less than 1% month over month at 2% CO2. The system may monitor CO2 levels at 10 second intervals. The system may monitor CO2 levels at 1 second intervals following the detection of an eating event. The system may respond to changes in CO2 concentrations within 90 seconds. Targeted for functional prototype phase and later. The system may report CO2 with barometric pressure and temperature data such that in post processing compensation can be applied as needed or desired. The system may use atmospheric gas to calibrate the CO2 sensor.
In various embodiments, the barometric pressure sensor may be a BMP581 sensor. In various embodiments, the relative humidity and temperature sensor may be a SHT40-AD1B-R3 sensor. In various embodiments. Further monitoring component 104 may include a cable seal 211. Cable seal 21 may be mechanically or chemically coupled to the housing 203 or the PCB 205. Cable seal 211 may be configured to electrically couple a cable to the PCB 205 or another electrical component described herein. In various embodiments, cable seal 211 may be configured to electrically connect the PCB 205 to one or more computing systems as described herein. In various embodiments, housing 203 may include one or more filters 216 and 217. In various embodiments, one or both of filters 216, 217 may be formed from foam. In various embodiments, said foam may be 60-65 PPI. In various embodiments, one or more of filters 216, 217 may be formed from nylon mesh.
Referring now to
In various embodiments, PCB 205 may be electrically coupled to more than one sensor of the same of varying type. In various embodiments, PCB 205 may be electrically coupled to accelerometer 222. For example and without limitation, accelerometer 222 may be an ADXL343 sensor. The system may be capable of monitoring head acceleration (referred to as movement) for the animal under study. The system may be capable of monitoring jaw movement for the animal under study. The system may monitor movement on 3 orthogonal axes. Targeted for functional prototype phase and later. The system may monitor movement in units of G's. The system may monitor movement between 0 and 5G. The system may monitor movement at a rate of 10 hz. The system may have an accuracy of 0.2Gs on each axis. The system may have a response time for changes to head movement of less than 100 ms. The system may analyze movement data in real time to determine when feeding events (or other relevant activities) are detected. When relevant determinations are made these should be recorded in the data and the relevant sampling rates should be modified until the activity expires.
PCB 205 may be electrically coupled to sensors 206. Sensors 206 may include a cover mechanically coupled to PCB 205 with at least one opening disposed therethrough. As described above, sensors 206 may be a sensor suite disposed within the cover. For example and without limitation, sensors 206 may include a CO2 sensor, barometric pressure sensor, relative humidity and/or temperature sensor. These sensors may be of the make described herein. In various embodiments, these or other sensors may be disposed on PCB 205 without the cover, as shown. In various embodiments, a portion of sensors may be disposed within the cover, and another portion may be disposed exterior to the cover.
In various embodiments, PCB 205 may be electrically coupled to oxygen (O2) sensor 210b. For example and without limitation, oxygen sensor 210b may be an SGX-7OX sensor. The system may monitor emitted O2 levels from the nostrils of the animal under study. The system may monitor Oxygen (O2) levels between 0 and 250,000 PPM and report the measured result in PPM. The system may monitor oxygen levels with an accuracy of +/−5% or better. The system may have a drift of less than 0.2% month over month at 21% O2. The system shall monitor O2 levels at 10 second intervals. The system may monitor O2 levels at 1 second intervals following the detection of an eating event. The system may respond to changes in O2 concentrations within 15 seconds. The system may use 22% oxygen (+/−2% as measured by a commercial O2 concentration gauge) to calibrate the midpoint.
Referring now to
With continued reference to
In various embodiments, intake duct 208 may make a plurality of turns, such that exhaled air is taken in from a split intake, and then travels around a turn with a length L and diameter D, then traveling around a second turn and out of an outlet. For the purposes of this disclosure, these turns may be left/right, as in a planform arrangement, or up/down such that the air is traveling against or with gravity.
PCB 305 may include any electrical power component configured to provide electrical energy to the other components of device to power said components. Electrical power component may be a battery such as a replaceable electrochemical battery cell (i.e., D, C, AA or AAA batteries). Electrical power component may include a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion battery. Electrical power component may include a plug port configured to charge said battery by a wall outlet at the amperage and voltage in a residential home. Electrical power component may include a motion-charged battery configured to charge itself based on the motion of said electrical power component, such as along with the movement of a ruminant's head during daily activity (i.e., eating, drinking, walking, turning of the head, flicking of the ears). Monitoring component 104 and/or neck board 108 may include shielding around electronics, sensors, or other sensitive components, the shielding configured to protect said components from electromagnetic interference such as signals from a transceiver, antenna, or emitter. Electrical power component may be configured to last ˜30 days between charges or battery replacement, in some embodiments. The system shall have adequate onboard power to sustain nominal data collection rates for the usable period, for example 10 amp hours at 12 volts.
Referring now to
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
Neck board 108 may include any electrical power component configured to provide electrical energy to the other components of device to power said components. Electrical power component may be a battery such as a replaceable electrochemical battery cell (i.e., D, C, AA or AAA batteries). Electrical power component may include a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion battery. Electrical power component may include a plug port configured to charge said battery by a wall outlet at the amperage and voltage in a residential home. Electrical power component may include a motion-charged battery configured to charge itself based on the motion of said electrical power component, such as along with the movement of a ruminant's head during daily activity (i.e., eating, drinking, walking, turning of the head, flicking of the ears). Monitoring component 104 and/or neck board 108 may include shielding around electronics, sensors, or other sensitive components, the shielding configured to protect said components from electromagnetic interference such as signals from a transceiver, antenna, or emitter. Electrical power component may be configured to last ˜30 days between charges or battery replacement, in some embodiments.
With continued reference to
For example and without limitation, seal 309 may be an O-ring with a square profile with a 1 mm side length. Neck board 108 may include a cable seal 310. Cable seal 310 may be any seal or cable seal as described herein. For example and without limitation, cable seal 310 may be a grommet formed with a circular opening and a rectilinear outer perimeter. In various embodiments, cable seal 310 may be formed to fit any opening in housing 301 where a cable is run. In various embodiments, cable seal 310 may form a port or a selectively sealable port. Neck board 108 may include a seal 311 configured to form a seal in housing 301 between top cover 301a and 301b. In various embodiments, seal 311 may be any seal as described herein. In various embodiments, seal 311 may be formed as an O-ring. For example and without limitation, seal 311 may be formed as a card stock O-ring. For example and without limitation, seal 311 may be formed with a square cross section with a 2 mm side length.
Referring now to
With continued reference to
The photovoltaic cell may be disposed on the top most surface of PCB 303, the top surface facing the sun when in installed on the livestock animal. The photovoltaic cell may be disposed on the monitoring component, on a different part of the livestock (such as on the top of the head, the back, or another area disposed on the animal). The photovoltaic cell, if located off board the monitoring component may be connected via one or more wires to monitoring component. For example and without limitation, solar battery charger 3103 may be a SPV1040TTR solar battery charger.
With further reference to
In various embodiments, PCB 303 may be electrically coupled to and include a push button 3108. Push button 3108 may be configured to power the system, cycle the system or perform another function as a result of a manual interaction with a user. The system may have a method, such as push button 3108, to accept user input to allow for selection of operating mode (calibration, zeroing, normal usage). The system shall have a method of user feedback to allow for selection of operating mode (calibration, zeroing, normal usage).
In various embodiments, push button 3108 may be accessible while in the housing 301, for example through an opening in housing 301. For example and without limitation, push button 3108 may be a KSC1101J_LFS. In various embodiments, one or more electrical signals, measured elements of data or other electrical information may be transmitted to another electrical component on the board or off the board in response to the button depression by a user. PCB 303 may include a screen 3109. Screen 3109 may be an E-ink screen. For example and without limitation, screen 3109 may be MIKROE-3158/MIKROE-EINK model. In various embodiments, screen 3109 may display measurement results from any sensor described herein and electrically coupled thereto. In various embodiments, screen 3109 may be configured to display one or more WIFI connections or alerts for a user. In various embodiments, screen 3109 may be configured to display one or more messages to the user, such as chemical concentration levels or low battery signals. PCB 303 may include a micro SD card adapter 3110. In various embodiments, micro SD card adapter 3110 may be configured to receive and electrically connect the PCB to a micro SD card. In various embodiments, one or more electrical signals that represent elements of data may be transmitted and stored on the micro SD card. In various embodiments, a user may remove the micro SD card from the micro SD card adapter 3110 and replace with a new card. In various embodiments, one or more transceivers may be configured to transmit data stored on the micro SD card to one or more wireless connected components.
In various embodiments, PCB 303 or neck board 108 may include a data storage component. Data storage component may include one or more components located on-board neck board. Data storage component may include one or more chips, processors, solid state drives (SSD), hard disk drives (HDD), flash memory devices, optical storage devices, or a combination thereof configured to store data. The data stored may include one or more of identified gases and/or concentrations thereof. The data may also include environmental information and time stamps for downstream data processing, such as humidity compensation. Data may be digital data that may be machine-readable on a storage medium, such as data storage component. Data may be stored on or in data storage component in raw form, processed, pre-processed, or time stamped such that one or more downstream components or users can visualize the data over time. For example and without limitation, data stored on data storage component may be stored as visual data such as one or more charts. The charts may plot gas detection over time, concentration over time, or some other characteristic of the measured gas or gases and displayed on screen 3109. Neck board 108 may include a port for insertion of a USB, lightning, thunderbolt, or other electronic storage device external to the device. Data storage component may be centrally located off board and configured to receive data from one or more monitoring components working in tandem or alone.
In various embodiments, monitoring component 104 and/or neck board 108 may include a transceiver. Transceiver is configured to transmit data, whether stored data (in data storage component) or instantaneously measured data for immediate transmission. In radio communication, a transceiver is an electronic device which is a combination of a radio transmitter and a receiver, hence the name. It can both transmit and receive radio waves using an antenna, for communication purposes. The term is also used for other devices which can both transmit and receive through a communications channel, such as optical transceivers which transmit and receive light in optical fiber systems, and bus transceivers which transmit and receive digital data in computer data buses. Transceiver may be configured to transmit the data, whether stored or instantaneously after measurement, to one or more off-board storage component such as a centralized database for analysis. Transceiver may be configured to transmit data over a plurality of ranges, such as long range communication over satellites, radio or cell towers, over the internet (such as over a WiFi or Ethernet connection), a combination thereof, or the like.
Referring now to
PCB 303 may include a battery holder 3114. In various embodiments, battery holder 3114 may be a coin battery holder. In various embodiments, battery holder 3114 may be a disposable battery holder and configured to secure a cylindrical battery. In various embodiments, PCB 303 may include a low voltage drop diode 3115. Low voltage drop diode 3115 may be in electrical communication with any component as described herein. For example, and without limitation, low voltage drop diode 3115 may be a MAX40200AUK.
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In various embodiments, first ring portion 401 and second ring portion 402 may be hingedly coupled via a pin 402a or similar mechanical fastener at a first end 406. In various embodiments, first ring 401 and second ring portion 402 may have corresponding geometrical features configured to allow for hinged rotation and mechanically coupling. In various embodiments, first ring portion 401 and second ring portion 402 are releaseably coupled at a second end 405. Second end 405 may include a piercing tip disposed on one or both of first ring portion 401 or second ring portion 402. First ring portion 401 may have a piercing tip configured to pierce the septum of the ruminant. First ring portion 401 may have a mirror image piercing tip as second ring portion 402 to correspondingly mate. In various embodiments, first ring portion 401 and second ring portion 402 may be releaseably coupled via one or more mechanical fasteners such as screws, set screws, pins or the like. In various embodiments, first ring portion 401 may include a hook or other geometrical feature configured to mate with second ring portion 402 at the second end 405 such that the ring component 401a cannot open accidentally.
In various embodiments, ring component 401a may be configured to separate parallel to the axial direction before rotating in the plane parallel to the ring. In various embodiments, ring component 401 may include a hollow cavity disposed therein. In various embodiments, the hollow cavity may be rectilinear cavity disposed in the arcuate first ring portion 401. In various embodiments, the hollow cavity may extend the entirety of first ring portion 401, or a portion thereof. The hollow cavity may include at least one filter 404. Filter 404 may be any filter as described herein. In various embodiments, filter 404 may be configured to filter ambient air through the filter on to one or more components to be described herein. In various embodiments, filter 404 may be configured to filter particulate or moisture out of exhaled gas by the ruminant. In various embodiments, filter 404 may be formed from foam, with a sleeve filter 404a circumferentially enclosing it. Sleeve filter 404a may be hydrophobic. Sleeve filter 404a may be disposed around each filter 404, in various embodiments.
Methane measurement device 400 includes a housing 403 coupled to at least one of first ring portion 401 or second ring portion 402. Housing 403 may be integral to one or both of first ring portion 401 or second ring portion 402. In various embodiments housing 403 may be releaseably coupled to ring component 401a. In various embodiments, housing 403 may be adjustably coupled to ring component 402. In various embodiments, housing 403 may be permanently coupled by welding or chemical adhesion. In various embodiments, housing 403 may be coupled to the inner perimeter of the ring component 401a. In various embodiments, housing 403 may be coupled to an outer perimeter of ring component 401a and extend through the inner portion of the ring.
Housing 403 may include a groove configured to receive the second ring portion 402 when it hingedly rotates inward to couple with first ring portion 401. In various embodiments, housing 403 may be formed by two parallel walls extending from first ring portion 401 to second ring portion 402 with a complementary arcuate section extending along the arcuate portions of the rings, and a linear wall forming a chord (or diameter extending between the two ring components, when a circular embodiment is employed) of the ring component 401a. In various embodiments, housing 403 may be half of the interior volume of the ring component 401a. In various embodiments housing 403 may be less than half the interior volume of the ring component 401a. In various embodiments, housing 403 may be wholly disposed within the ring component 401a, thereby unintrusive to the inner volume of the ring and out of the ruminant's way. In various embodiments, housing 403 may be more than half of the volume of the interior of the ring component 401a, leaving suitable room for the piercing tips to pierce the septum of the ruminant. Housing 403 may have hollow cavity disposed therein. Housing 403 may include a hollow cavity mirroring the outer mold line of housing 403. In various embodiments, housing 403 may have a rectilinear hollow cavity disposed therein. In various embodiments, housing 403 may have a circular or oblong hollow cavity disposed therein.
With continued reference to
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In various embodiment, airflow sensor may be configured to ensure each sensor receives mixed air at the appropriate flow rate and temperature for operation. In various embodiments, a system of ducts and fans is leveraged to create series of measurement chambers. This method will allow for dilution as needed to ensure the ranges of each sensor are adequate, variable flow rates, and exhausting of gasses altered by the measurement process. Air sensing will be of similar importance, and multiple airflow sensors may be required.
In various embodiments, methane sensor may be an optical sensor, calorimetric sensor, pyroelectric sensor, semiconducting metal oxide sensor, and/or electrochemical sensor. Any sensor described herein may be configured to measure and record data at a sampling rate of 1 Hz or higher. For example and without limitation, methane sensor may be an INIR-ME5%. In various embodiments, the oxygen sensor may be a 523-SG-7OX. In various embodiments, the carbon dioxide sensor may be a SCD41-D-R2. In various embodiments, the hydrogen sensor may be a PS1-H2-1000 (TC-1326-AS). In various embodiments, the airflow sensor may be an induction sensor.
In various embodiments, the temperature and humidity sensor may be a SHT40-AD1B-R2. The system may measure ambient temperature from −20 to 60 Degrees Celsius. The system may have a temperature accuracy of +/−0.3 Degree Celsius. The system may have a temperature drift of less than 1 Degree Celsius per year. The system may have a temperature response time of less than 5 seconds for changes to ambient temperature. The system may expose the temperature sensor to ambient air with adequate insulation from the animal. The system may measure ambient temperature changes at 10 second intervals. The system may measure ambient relative humidity levels. The system may measure relative humidity levels between 0 and 99% relative humidity. The system may have a relative humidity measurement accuracy of better than 2%. The system may have a relative humidity drift of better than 1% per year. The system may have a relative humidity response time to changes in ambient relative humidity of 5 seconds or less.
Temperature and humidity sensors are reviewed together as a dual package system is an easy way to reduce design complexity without impacting performance. For this application, the part with the best temperature sensitivity was selected for consideration. SHT40-AD1B-R2 has a temperature accuracy of +/−1 degree Celsius and a relative humidity accuracy of +/−1.8%. The low power consumption and low cost are added benefits. This part works from −40 to 135 Degrees Celsius and up to 100% RH. In various embodiments, Texas Instrument's HDC Line. This line has a number of sensitivities and packages and a part representing temperature and humidity sensing was selected. 595-HDC1080DMBR offer+/−0.2 degree Celsius temperature monitoring and +/−2% RH monitoring.
In various embodiments, any sensor 408 may be configured to record movement of the ruminant or turn on another component of the system. Sensor 408 may be configured such that feeding events can be recorded, and optionally used as a trigger for addition sensing/recording. This serves two purposes 1) it ensure that eructation events will be adequately recorded even after reduction or elimination of methane emissions and 2) it provides a trigger should a low power non-sampling state be needed to meet the life-cycle and power requirements of the system. An initial review suggests that with farm location information (including location and altitude) only a 3-axis accelerometer would be needed.
In various embodiments, sensor 408 may be more than one sensor operating in concert to measure one or more qualities of the ambient environment or gas. For example and without limitation, sensor 408 may be a temperature and humidity sensor as described herein above. In various embodiments, sensor 408 may be electrically coupled to a printed circuit board (PCB) 409. PCB 409 may be the same or similar as any PCB as described herein. PCB 409 may include any electrical component as described herein, such as screens, toggles, switches, buttons or accelerometers. PCB 409 may be electrically coupled to one or more receivers, transmitters or transceivers configured to send and receive electrical signals from a computing device or other electrical component. PCB 409 may include a processor 414 communicatively and electrically coupled thereto. Processor 414 may manage power as described herein, routing electrical energy to the components electrically coupled to the PCB 409, such as sensor 408, fan 407 or the like. In various embodiments, processor 414 may be configured to control data storage from measurements taken by sensor 408 and transmit said data to one or more computing devices remotely located. In various embodiments, the processor 414 may be configured to power on certain components in response to other signals, for example, a motion sensor may indicate t hath the ruminant is moving, the processor 414 may then command the sensor 408 to begin measuring for gas emission, such as methane from the animal.
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For example and without limitation, harness 504 may include one or more straps extending at least partially around a ruminant's head and secured with a buckle, such as a quick attach/release plastic buckle with pinch sides. Harness 504 may include one more padded straps configured to cushion the abrasion around the ruminant's head, especially around corners and features of the skull, face, horns, neck, ears, eyes, beak, crest, or other features of the animal. Harness 504 may be formed from nylon, cotton, ballistic nylon, leather, Kevlar, wool, plastics, rubbers, a combination thereof, or another material not listed herein. Harness 504 may include an elasticity configured to stretch around the features of the ruminant's head and tighten when in place. Harness 504 may include one or more adjustment features like straps and buckles, double D-rings, pull tabs, holes, slots, hooks and loops, or the like. Harness 504 may include one or more settings, sizes, or shapes configured to secure around the head of an animal, such as a ruminant, or a plurality of successive animals, of the same species or otherwise. Harness 504 may include a plurality of attachment points along its length for additional straps/pads/features configured to better secure around a ruminant's head.
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Monitoring component may include a plurality of weight-saving features such as cutouts, carve outs, recesses, or the like. Monitoring component 508 may include one or more ribs assembled into it or manufactured to increase strength. Monitoring component 508 may include a quick attach feature 512. Quick attach feature 512 may allow a user to quickly detach the “smart” component of the device 500 from harness 504, which may still be attached to the cow, and perform a plurality of functions and/or switch the monitoring device 508 with another. Quick attach feature 512 may include a buckle, pull tab, push button, or other elastically deformed component configured to secure with a recess until deflected back and removed. Quick attach feature may be configured for use with one hand, such as a pinching motion. Quick attach feature 512 may be configured to secure into harness 504 with one hand, such as slidably connecting.
With continued reference to
Intake 516 may include a vapor barrier to prevent humidity in the air from entering the monitoring component 508. Intake 516 may include a humidity sensor configured to measure the moisture in the exhaled air. Intake 516 may include software and/or hardware configured to manipulate/compensate the measurements to account for environmental factors such as humidity when measuring gaseous compounds. For example and without limitation, intake 516 may include any compensation hardware/software based on the sensor type utilized in said embodiment. Intake 516 may include a plurality of intakes designated for each nostril/mouth. Intake 516 may include a nozzle (e.g., tube or straw) configured to enter the nostrils of the animals to intake exhaled air. Intake 516 may include tubes or straws configured to move in and out of a ruminant's nostrils upon command, upon detection of one or more compounds, or periodically. The intake 516 may include tubes/straws or another form of invasive intakes 516 configured to enter the livestock's nostrils. Intake 516 may extend into monitoring component 508 and include one or more sensors 520 as described herein along said tubes, as is shown in
Intake 516 may include one or more turns and be configured to manipulate the gaseous sample taken in. For example the shape of the internal tubing of intake 516 may be used to separate methane from other gases within the exhaled air by gravity or in an active process like an absorber. Intake 516 may include one or more fans configured to assist air in entering the monitoring component 508. The fan used may include a propeller type fan, a bladeless fan, or another type of fluid movement device, like a pump.
With continued reference to
In some embodiments, monitoring component 508 may include an outlet. The outlet may be one or more ports within monitoring component 508 configured to exhaust processed air. The outlet may include one or more fans configured to pull air through monitoring component 508. The outlet may include one or more absorption agents configured to capture one or more compounds before exhausting air back into the environment. Outlet may include an open hole, opening, cutout or other pass through in monitoring component 508 such that air may pass through the intake 516 and out of the outlet.
Optionally, the monitoring component 508 can include an indicator to confirm (visually, audibly, and/or tactile/haptic feedback) to an operator that the device is properly positioned on the animal with the intake 516 receiving a flow of exhaled methane from the animal. In some embodiments, the device can include an alert/alarm system to notify the operator if/when the device is misplaced, which can be determined based on an absent/interrupted flow at the intake 516.
With continued reference to
Further, sensor 520 may be a photoacoustic and/or ultrasonic sensor. This type of sensor may detect the acoustic emission created when a pressured gas expands in a low pressure area through a small orifice, such as a gas entering the intake 516. The photoacoustic sensor may detect the presence of methane or another gaseous compound and the concentration thereof, whether itself or in tandem with another sensor or sensor suite.
Further, sensor 520 may be a holographic gas sensor. Holographic gas sensor may use light reflection to detect changes in a polymer film matrix containing a hologram. Since holograms reflect light at certain wavelengths, a change in their composition can generate a colorful reflection indicating the presence of a gas molecule. However, holographic sensors require illumination sources such as white light or lasers, and an observer or CCD detector. A holographic sensor is a device that may include a hologram embedded in a smart material that detects certain molecules or metabolites. This detection is usually a chemical interaction that is transduced as a change in one of the properties of the holographic reflection (as in the Bragg reflector), either refractive index or spacing between the holographic fringes. The specificity of the sensor can be controlled by adding molecules in the polymer film that selectively interacts with the molecules of interest. A holographic sensor aims to integrate the sensor component, the transducer and the display in one device for fast reading of molecular concentrations based in colorful reflections or wavelengths.
The holographic sensors can be read from a fair distance because the transducer element is light that has been refracted and reflected by the holographic grating embedded in the sensor. Therefore, they can be used in industrial applications where non-contact with the sensor is required. For example, sensor 520 may be configured to be sensitive to methane at about ˜500 ppm (parts per million) and delta (or change over a time period) of +/−5% concentration.
With continued reference to
Further, electrical power component 524 may include a photovoltaic cell configured to charge the battery. A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is an electronic device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect, which is a physical and chemical phenomenon. It is a form of photoelectric cell, defined as a device whose electrical characteristics, such as current, voltage, or resistance, vary when exposed to light. Individual solar cell devices are often the electrical building blocks of photovoltaic modules, known colloquially as solar panels. They can be used as a photodetector (for example infrared detectors), detecting light or other electromagnetic radiation near the visible range, or measuring light intensity.
The photovoltaic cell may be disposed on the top most surface of monitoring component 508, the top surface facing the sun when in installed on the livestock animal. The photovoltaic cell may be disposed on the monitoring component 508, on a different part of the livestock (such as on the top of the head, the back, or another area disposed on the animal). The photovoltaic cell, if located off board the monitoring component 508 may be connected via one or more wires to monitoring component 508.
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Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe), and Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture (AMBA).
Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.
System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cache memory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more data media interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below, memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the disclosure.
Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42, may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments as described herein.
Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more external devices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20 communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 via bus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.
The present disclosure may be embodied as a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present disclosure.
The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, may be signals, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.
Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present disclosure may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C4 or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.
Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.
These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein may include an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which may include one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
While the disclosed subject matter is described herein in terms of certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and improvements may be made to the disclosed subject matter without departing from the scope thereof. Moreover, although individual features of one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter may be discussed herein or shown in the drawings of the one embodiment and not in other embodiments, it should be apparent that individual features of one embodiment may be combined with one or more features of another embodiment or features from a plurality of embodiments.
In addition to the specific embodiments claimed below, the disclosed subject matter is also directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the dependent features claimed below and those disclosed above. As such, the particular features presented in the dependent claims and disclosed above can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the disclosed subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combinations. Thus, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the disclosed subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed subject matter to those embodiments disclosed.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method and system of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/371,949, filed on Aug. 19, 2022, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63371949 | Aug 2022 | US |