Abstract: A milk meter for measuring a flow rate of milk, having an inlet, an outlet, and a liquid flow path from the inlet to the outlet, the milk meter has a stabilization chamber in the liquid flow path and a float in the stabilization chamber configured to float on the milk, wherein the milk meter is configured so the level of milk in the stabilization chamber depends on the flow rate of the milk flow, the milk meter also has a magnetic unit for generating a magnetic field in the stabilization chamber, which varies in a height direction of the stabilization chamber, the float contains an electronic measuring unit for measuring the strength of the magnetic field, which is a measure of the height within the stabilization chamber of the float and the strength of the magnetic field measures the flow rate of the milk.

Abstract: Method and system for determining a condition of at least one pig in a pen provided with a feed unit. The pen is provided with a sensor system. For carrying out the method, a step a., step b. or a combination of steps a. and b. is possible. In step a., with the aid of the sensor system a reaction of the at least one pig is measured. This is done when with the feed unit feed is made available in the pen to the at least one pig to determine on the basis of the measured reaction a condition of the at least one pig. In step b., with the aid of the sensor system it is measured that the at least one pig ‘demands’ feed to determine a condition of the at least one pig.

Abstract: A UHF RFID system is disclosed in which an RFID transponder or tag can be simultaneously powered and interrogated by multiple RFID transceivers. The architecture of the system is such that each transceiver generates its own carrier wave, with a frequency that might be equal to or different from the other units, and the interrogation data is distributed throughout a network of transceivers and modulated by each transceiver unit onto their own carrier waves. During an interrogation period, one or more of the transceivers will be configured as the master unit, generating and distributing the protocols commands. The other units can be configured as transmitters, receivers or transceivers. After each period the units may be given different roles. The proposed setup yields a system with the capability to power and interrogate RFID tags with multiple readers, without compromising the required modulation depth and protocol handling.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method for determining a physiological condition of a ruminant. The system comprises a sensor unit and a calculating unit. The sensor unit generates a stream of measuring data that are indicative of a movement condition of the ruminant. The calculating unit uses a neural network for calculating a stream of condition data from the stream of measuring data. The condition data indicate a physiological condition of the ruminant.

Abstract: A milk meter for measuring a flow rate of a milk flow with an inlet and an outlet a liquid flow path from the inlet to the outlet, a stabilization chamber in the liquid flow path and a float in the stabilization chamber configured to float on milk the milk meter is configured so a level of milk in the stabilization chamber depends on the flow rate of the milk flow, and is provided with a magnetic unit in the stabilization chamber, the magnetic field varies in a height direction of the stabilization chamber, an electronic measuring unit is arranged in the float for measuring the strength of the magnetic field, the strength is a measure of the height within the stabilization chamber at which the float is floating on the milk and the strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the flow rate of the milk flow.

Abstract: A farm system comprising a plurality of smart tags which are each configured to be worn by an animal, a transmitter and receiver unit for wireless communication with the smart tag, one control unit which is communicatively connected to the transmitter and receiver unit and a farm unit which can be controlled by the control unit. Each smart tag comprises at least one sensor and is configured for wirelessly transmitting information obtained by one of the sensors to the transmitter and receiver unit, wherein the transmitter and receiver unit is configured for supplying the received information to the control unit and wherein the control unit is configured for processing the received information and, at least on the basis of this processed information, controlling at least a farm unit and/or generating a report signal for indicating to a user of the system that an activity is to be carried out.

Abstract: Method and system for generating at least one attention signal indicating a problem for an animal. The method includes attaching at least one sensor to the animal. The sensor generates information about the movement and/or direction of the sensor. The method analyzes the information to generate one attention signal if there is a problem with the animal. The analysis includes a step of calculating an actual inactive value and generating the signal if a condition is fulfilled. The actual inactive value indicates a length of time the animal was inactive over a recent first time period. When the actual inactive value is greater than a boundary value, attention signal is generated. The system is provided with at least one sensor and a computer for carrying out the analysis on the basis of information received form the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A milk meter for measuring a flow rate of milk, having an inlet, an outlet, and a liquid flow path from the inlet to the outlet, the milk meter has a stabilization chamber in the liquid flow path and a float in the stabilization chamber configured to float on the milk, wherein the milk meter is configured so the level of milk in the stabilization chamber depends on the flow rate of the milk flow, the milk meter also has a magnetic unit for generating a magnetic field in the stabilization chamber, which varies in a height direction of the stabilization chamber, the float contains an electronic measuring unit for measuring the strength of the magnetic field, which is a measure of the height within the stabilization chamber of the float and the strength of the magnetic field measures the flow rate of the milk.

Abstract: A UHF RFID system is disclosed in which an RFID transponder or tag can be simultaneously powered and interrogated by multiple RFID transceivers. The architecture of the system is such that each transceiver generates its own carrier wave, with a frequency that might be equal to or different from the other units, and the interrogation data is distributed throughout a network of transceivers and modulated by each transceiver unit onto their own carrier waves. During an interrogation period, one or more of the transceivers will be configured as the master unit, generating and distributing the protocols commands. The other units can be configured as transmitters, receivers or transceivers. After each period the units may be given different roles. The proposed setup yields a system with the capability to power and interrogate RFID tags with multiple readers, without compromising the required modulation depth and protocol handling.

Abstract: Method and system for determining a condition of at least one pig in a pen provided with a feed unit. The pen is provided with a sensor system. For carrying out the method, a step a., step b. or a combination of steps a. and b. is possible. In a step a., with the aid of the sensor system a reaction of the at least one pig is measured. This is done when with the feed unit feed is made available in the pen to the at least one pig to determine on the basis of the measured reaction a condition of the at least one pig. In a step b., with the aid of the sensor system it is measured that the at least one pig ‘demands’ feed to determine a condition of the at least one pig.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring physiological data of a mammal comprising a measuring unit, to be worn by the mammal, with a first and second module. The first module comprises a light source and the second module comprises a sensor unit for measuring an intensity of a fraction of the light delivering a measuring signal. There is a synchronization means for pulsewise activating the light source synchronously with the second module, wherein the measuring signal is indicative of the value of the intensity measured during the pulsewise activation. The synchronization means comprises an energy transmitting unit and a detector which is part of the other one of the first and the second module, in an operating condition the energy transmitting unit pulsewise generates an electromagnetic field, and the detector receives this field and generates therefrom a supply voltage for use in that other module.

Abstract: A milk meter for measuring a flow rate of a milk flow with an inlet and an outlet a liquid flow path from the inlet to the outlet, a stabilization chamber in the liquid flow path and a float in the stabilization chamber configured to float on milk the milk meter is configured so a level of milk in the stabilization chamber depends on the flow rate of the milk flow, and is provided with a magnetic unit in the stabilization chamber, the magnetic field varies in a height direction of the stabilization chamber, an electronic measuring unit is arranged in the float for measuring the strength of the magnetic field, the strength is a measure of the height within the stabilization chamber at which the float is floating on the milk and the strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the flow rate of the milk flow.

Abstract: Method and system for generating at least one attention signal indicating a problem for at least one animal. The method comprises attaching at least one sensor to the at least one animal. The at least one sensor generates sensor information about the movement and/or direction of the at least one sensor. The method comprises analyzing the sensor information for generating the at least one attention signal if there is a problem with the at least one animal. The analyzing of the sensor information comprises step a. in which based on the sensor information an actual inactive value is calculated. The actual inactive value indicates a length of time. The at least one animal was inactive over a recent first time period. The analyzing of the sensor information comprises step b. generating the at least one attention signal if at least one first condition is fulfilled. According to the first condition the actual inactive value is greater than a boundary value.

Abstract: Milk meter for measuring a flow rate of a milk flow, provided with an inlet, an outlet, and a liquid flow path from the inlet to the outlet. The milk meter has a measuring chamber and a float in the measuring chamber configured to float on milk. The milk meter determines the flow rate from the level of milk and the milk meter is provided with a magnetic unit for generating a magnetic field and the magnetic field varies in height direction of the measuring chamber, and the float has an electronic measuring unit for measuring the strength of the magnetic field. The measured strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the height at which the float is floating on the milk and the measured strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the flow rate of the milk flow.

Abstract: A system comprising an animal management label, a pedometer, each provided with a transmitter and receiver device, and a smart tag for detecting movements of an animal provided therewith. The system comprises a plurality of readers for wirelessly reading out the label, and a central computer configured for communication with the readers. The system is configured for updating the label. The central computer is configured to supply update data the readers. A random one of the readers transmits the update data when the label is within wireless reading distance. The system comprises recording means for keeping a record of data received by the label. The random one of the readers resumes transmitting update data within, which update data according to the recording means was not yet received by the label.

Abstract: A farm system comprising a plurality of smart tags which are each configured to be worn by an animal, a transmitter and receiver unit for wireless communication with the smart tag, one control unit which is communicatively connected to the transmitter and receiver unit and a farm unit which can be controlled by the control unit. Each smart tag comprises at least one sensor and is configured for wirelessly transmitting information obtained by one of the sensors to the transmitter and receiver unit, wherein the transmitter and receiver unit is configured for supplying the received information to the control unit and wherein the control unit is configured for processing the received information and, at least on the basis of this processed information, controlling at least a farm unit and/or generating a report signal for indicating to a user of the system that an activity is to be carried out.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the physiological condition, and/or suitability of animal feed, of ruminant animals, comprising: a. sensing the occurrence of at least a first predetermined type of activity of the animal; b. determining a length of a time period of a first type during which in step a. a sensed first predetermined type of activity has taken place; c. transmitting information about the length of a time period of the first type determined in step b. wherein preferably the transmission starts on a moment in time which depends on the moment in time on which the time period of the first type has ended; d. repeating steps a.-c. for next sensed occurrences of activities of the first predetermined type.

Abstract: Method and system for automatically detecting and checking the use of parking places of a parking arrangement, which is provided with a parking network and a central computer, the parking places being each provided with an electronic parking sensor module, which has an identification code and a vehicle sensor for detecting vehicles in the respective parking places, wherein use is made of electronic license devices, carried along with the vehicles and each having a unique identification number and motion sensor means, which can determine at what time a vehicle comes to a standstill, and wherein information about said time together with the identification number is transmitted to the central computer, which can compare said time with times at which the parking places become occupied, to determine in which parking place the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: Milk meter for measuring a flow rate of a milk flow, provided with an inlet, an outlet, and a liquid flow path from the inlet to the outlet. The milk meter has a measuring chamber and a float in the measuring chamber configured to float on milk. The milk meter determines the flow rate from the level of milk and the milk meter is provided with a magnetic unit for generating a magnetic field and the magnetic field varies in height direction of the measuring chamber, and the float has an electronic measuring unit for measuring the strength of the magnetic field. The measured strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the height at which the float is floating on the milk and the measured strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the flow rate of the milk flow.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring physiological data of a mammal comprising a measuring unit, to be worn by the mammal, with a first and second module. The first module comprises a light source and the second module comprises a sensor unit for measuring an intensity of a fraction of the light delivering a measuring signal. There is a synchronization means for pulsewise activating the light source synchronously with the second module, wherein the measuring signal is indicative of the value of the intensity measured during the pulsewise activation. The synchronization means comprises an energy transmitting unit and a detector which is part of the other one of the first and the second module, in an operating condition the energy transmitting unit pulsewise generates an electromagnetic field, and the detector receives this field and generates therefrom a supply voltage for use in that other module.