Automated Feeding Solution for Dog Owners Final Report December 7, 2007 Project Automated Dog Feeder Project Advisor Dr. Hongwei Wu The Canine Hunger Force Team Members Justin Waters Ryan Price Randy Boucher Adam Hartley

Project Overview Creation of an automated dog feeder which allows the owner to adjust or set feeding times through web interface GUI Creation of an automated dog feeder which allows the owner to adjust or set feeding times through web interface GUI Eliminates food waste when owner is absent for long periods of time (i.e. vacation) by controlling feed time and by delivering appropriate food amounts while the owner is busy or away Eliminates food waste when owner is absent for long periods of time (i.e. vacation) by controlling feed time and by delivering appropriate food amounts while the owner is busy or away Eliminates need for dog boarding during vacations Eliminates need for dog boarding during vacations Targeted customers - dog owners who travels often, people who would like a dog but may not have the appropriate caring time Targeted customers - dog owners who travels often, people who would like a dog but may not have the appropriate caring time Cost of entire project roughly $345 Cost of entire project roughly $345

Design Features Owner can interface through web server GUI Owner can interface through web server GUI PC/feeder communicates through USB DAQ board PC/feeder communicates through USB DAQ board Auger operates by use of 12 VDC motor Auger operates by use of 12 VDC motor 12 VDC motor receives power directly from computer power supply 12 VDC motor receives power directly from computer power supply Food stored in sturdy, dry container Food stored in sturdy, dry container Owner able to set feeding schedule through web server Owner able to set feeding schedule through web server

Design Overview

12V DC Gear Motor Horse Power0.8W (60 mA no load)Torque 12 Lb-inch(1 Ft-lb) Speed 50 rpm Length of Motor 54 mm (2.13 inches) Weight of Motor 3 ounces

Sensor Compression Load Cell This load cell is rated for up to 5 lbs This load cell is rated for up to 5 lbs Powered by a 5 VDC input signal Powered 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 voltage amount 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 Server Windows IIS version 5.1 Windows IIS version 5.1 Allows user access from any Internet-connected PC Allows user access from any Internet-connected PC User input taken from form on web page User input taken from form on web page Food consumption data logged and displayed when requested Food consumption data logged and displayed when requested

Webpage based profile modification User accesses custom web page hosted on dog feeder PC User accesses custom web page hosted on dog feeder PC User modifies feeding schedule in the web based table User modifies feeding schedule in the web based table Table is saved as a tab-delimited text file to the server Table is saved as a tab-delimited text file to the server LabView based software loads the text file values into array used to control feeder LabView based software loads the text file values into array used to control feeder LabView creates text file with consumption data which is read back into a webpage LabView creates text file with consumption data which is read back into a webpage

Software Structure Diagram Graphical User Interface Read Data index.php Export Data writeData.php userFile.txt View Log data.php Control Feeder Main Program.vi userFile.txt Create Log Main Program.vi labFile.txt

Web page GUI Input Verification

Web page GUI Food Consumption Log

Data Acquisition Solution National Instruments USB-6008 student kit chosen National Instruments USB-6008 student kit chosen USB based data acquisition unit provides versatility USB based data acquisition unit provides versatility Labview Student Edition provided with bundle Labview Student Edition provided with bundle

Visual Programming Food distribution function loop Food distribution function loop

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

Cost Analysis

Project Timeline

Operational Flowchart Weight reached? Start Main 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 Design

Shortcomings/Alternatives Webcam could have been integrated into project for live monitoring Webcam could have been integrated into project for live monitoring Automatic feeding profile modification not implemented Automatic feeding profile modification not implemented Motor covering to ensure unexposed wiring Motor covering to ensure unexposed wiring Chute design needs refining to minimize spillage Chute design needs refining to minimize spillage For production models custom circuits could be designed for analog inputs/outputs to replace DAQ board For production models custom circuits could be designed for analog inputs/outputs to replace DAQ board

Demonstration Log in to web server using internet browser Log in to web server using internet browser Adjust feeding schedule to demonstrate features Adjust feeding schedule to demonstrate features Show consumption data after each distribution Show consumption data after each distribution Remove random amount of food after second distribution Remove random amount of food after second distribution Compare removed weight to amount consumed Compare removed weight to amount consumed Discuss tolerances and running average effect Discuss tolerances and running average effect