Method and system for managing and operating a plurality of farm houses

• US 9,164,498 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2010
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CTB Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CTB Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lorton, Brad W., Niemeyer, Douglas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fennema, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Norton, Jennifer L
• Application Number:
  US12/815,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20100250198A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,954 Days
• Field of Search: 700/231, 700/241, 700/275, 701213-215, 705/1, 705/7.11, 340/10.41, 119/51.02, 702/188, 236/49.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/00 Marking of animals marking poultry or other birds A01K35/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/00 Other apparatus for animal husbandry
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 31/18 Chicken coops or houses for baby chicks; Brooders including auxiliary features, e.g. feeding, watering, demanuring, heating, ventilation battery breeding cages A01K31/005
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 31/22 Poultry runs ; Poultry houses, including auxiliary features, e.g. feeding, watering, demanuring air-conditioning of poultry runs or houses A01K1/0047
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis

Abstract

A system for monitoring, managing, and/or operating a plurality of farm houses on a plurality of farms is disclosed. The system includes a controller and/or a monitor box in the farm house and a computer in communication with the controller for controlling and adjusting various parameters of the farm house or with the monitor box for monitoring the farm house. The system also includes a computer at an integrator'"'"'s office that is operable to monitor and/or control various parameters from the farm house remotely. These parameters enable the integrator to coordinate operations with processing plants, feed mills, field service and hatcheries. It also enables the integrator to prepare various data reports for use by the integrator or others.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring data at a farm house, comprising:

sensing a farm house condition with a sensor positioned at the farm house;

transmitting a sensor signal based on the sensed condition at the farm house to an integrator data and control system operated by a second user different from a first user;

retrieving the transmitted sensor signal with the integrator data and control system;

accessing with the integrator data and control system a selected condition for the farm house in condition of a selected quality and yield of a selected product from the farm house; and

producing a signal with the integrator data and control system based upon a comparison of the retrieved transmitted sensor signal with the integrator data and control system and the accessed selected condition for the farm house;

wherein the integrator data and control system is located remote from the farm house.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating with a communication link between the integrator data and control system and a monitor box or a first controller, wherein at least one of the monitor box or the first controller are associated with the sensor that senses the farm house condition.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

controlling the farm house through the controller directly with the integrator data and control system through the communication link.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

processing an alert with the integrator data and control system;

wherein the alert notifies that the sensed farm house condition is outside a set maximum value or minimum value.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

sending the processed alert with a wireless network.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

providing the processed alert to a web page.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

sending instructions from the integrator data and control system based on the monitoring.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein sending instructions includes at least one of sending instructions to a farmer, a service man, or a customer.

9. A method of monitoring data at a farm house, comprising:

sensing a farm house condition with a sensor positioned at the farm house operated by a first party;

transmitting a sensor signal based on the sensed condition at the farm house to an integrator data and control system that is located remote from the farm house, wherein the integrator data and control system is operated by a second party different from the first party;

accessing with the integrator data and control system a selected condition for the farm house in consideration of a selected quality and yield of a selected product from the farm house; and

producing a signal with the integrator data and control system based upon a comparison of the transmitted sensor signal and the accessed selected condition for the farm house.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

accessing a web page with a second system separate from the integrator data and control system to obtain information regarding the farm house or retrieve instructions relating to the farm house.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein accessing the web page includes providing a report generated to assist a grower in running and managing the farm house.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein accessing the web page includes providing a report generated to schedule a visit by a flock servicemen.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein accessing the web page includes receiving an exception report or other data regarding the farm house, including receiving an alert regarding the farm house condition being outside of a set limit.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving an alert includes:

viewing a display in a grid showing one or more farm houses that have sensed farm house conditions outside a normal range as defined by a standard minimum value and maximum value for a selected time period.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

specifying the normal range via the integrator data and control system.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein accessing the web page includes accessing reports of raw data, derivative data, comparison to standards, and statistical analysis that are presented both in at least one of a column view or a graphical view.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

providing a password to access the provided reports through the web page.

18. A method of monitoring data at a farm house, comprising:

selecting a farm house operated by a first party;

selecting a parameter, by a second party different from the first party, of the farm house to monitor;

determining, by the second party, an optimal value of the selected parameter;

specifying a normal range, by the second party, of the selected parameter from the optimal value;

receiving a monitored signal with an integrator data and control system including a monitored value of the selected parameter;

comparing the monitored signal to at least the specified normal range of the selected parameter; and

producing a signal with the integrator data and control system based upon the compared monitored signal to at least the specified normal range of the selected parameter.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

preparing a report from the second party regarding a result of the comparison of the monitored signal to at least the specified normal range of the selected parameter; and

providing the prepared report to at least one of the first party or a third party, wherein the third party is different than the first party or second party.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

providing a control signal to control the selected farm house based at least on the comparison of the monitored signal to at least the specified normal range of the selected parameter.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein selecting a parameter includes selecting at least one of a feed amount, a water amount, a humidity, a temperature, a ventilation, a humidity, an animal waste, a feed flow, and combinations thereof.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said third party includes at least one of a party selected from a group including a feed mill, a serviceman, a livestock transfer, and combinations thereof.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

preparing a report from the second party regarding a result of the comparison of the monitored signal to at least the specified normal range of the selected parameter; and

providing the prepared report to be accessed via a web page to obtain information regarding the farm house or retrieve instructions relating to the farm house.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

preparing a report from the second party regarding a result of the comparison of the monitored signal to at least the specified normal range of the selected parameter; and

providing the prepared report to assist a grower in running and managing the farm house.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

preparing a report from the second party regarding a result of the comparison of the monitored signal to at least the specified normal range of the selected parameter; and

providing the prepared report to schedule a visit by a flock servicemen at the farm house.

26. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

preparing a report from the second party regarding a result of the comparison of the monitored signal to at least the specified normal range of the selected parameter; and

providing the prepared report to provide exception reports or other data regarding the farm house, including providing an alert regarding the condition at the farm house being outside of a set limit.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the controller includes the monitor system.