Automated Feeding Solutions for Dog Owners Preliminary Design Review October 19, 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 $250 Cost of entire project roughly $250

Design Objectives Owner Interface through web server GUI Owner Interface through web server GUI PC/feeder communication through USB DAQ board PC/feeder communication through USB DAQ board Auger operation by use of 12 VDC motor Auger operation 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 amounts appropriate to dog Food amounts appropriate to dog 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 from 0 – 5 volts The output is an analog signal that ranges from 0 – 5 volts The amount of weight determines the output voltage The amount of weight determines the output voltage

Sensor Compression Load Cell The DAQ board provides a 5 VDC supply rail for loads under 200 mA, allowing us to power the load cell The DAQ board provides a 5 VDC supply rail for loads under 200 mA, allowing us to power the load cell With an input voltage range of 0 ± 10 VDC, the DAQ boards analog inputs can easily read the load cell’s return signal With an input voltage range of 0 ± 10 VDC, the DAQ boards analog inputs can easily read the load cell’s return signal The load cell will be located underneath the dog bowl and will be properly sealed to avoid exposure to moisture The load cell will be located underneath the dog bowl and will be properly sealed to avoid exposure to moisture

Web Server Apache HTTP Server Apache HTTP Server Allows user access from any Allows user access from any Internet-connected PC Password protected (SSL 128) Password protected (SSL 128)access Modifying a file on the server Modifying a file on the server will update feeding schedule

Webpage based profile modification User connects to custom web page hosted on dog feeder PC User connects to 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 local drive Table is saved as a tab-delimited text file to local drive Labview based software loads the text file values as an array Labview based software loads the text file values as an array

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 Labview allows for rapid prototyping and implementation of programming concepts Labview allows for rapid prototyping and implementation of programming concepts Provides step-by-step debugging using visual indicators Provides step-by-step debugging using visual indicators Function calls can be saved as modular “sub vi’s” Function calls can be saved as modular “sub vi’s”

Visual Programming Accepts Boolean input (true/false) Accepts Boolean input (true/false) Converts to integer (1/0) Converts to integer (1/0) Applies gain of 5 and becomes voltage control for analog output Applies gain of 5 and becomes voltage control for analog output

Visual Programming DAQ Assistant provides dialog based configuration of DAQ board inputs/outputs with built in diagnostic features DAQ Assistant provides dialog based configuration of DAQ board inputs/outputs with built in diagnostic features Customizable scaling profiles allow for curve fitting and calibration Customizable scaling profiles allow for curve fitting and calibration

Visual Programming Scaling profile used to calibrate load cell against a separate digital scale Scaling profile used to calibrate load cell against a separate digital scale Load cell experimentally shown to be accurate to within ±1/2 ounce Load cell experimentally shown to be accurate to within ±1/2 ounce

Cost Analysis

Project Timeline

Future Work Mount motor to hopper Mount motor to hopper Complete web server and interface GUI Complete web server and interface GUI Complete system operation program Complete system operation program Assemble prototype feeding mechanism Assemble prototype feeding mechanism Final phase testing Final phase testing