Abstract: Within a view field, a camera records image data representing a body portion of an animal. A reader unit registers identity data from a data carrier on the animal and a data processor associates the recorded image data with the registered identity data. A passageway only allows a single animal at the time within the camera's view field. The camera is arranged so that the view field covers an identification zone within the passageway. To reduce the risk that the reader unit interferes with other nearby equipment, the data processor detects the presence of any animal within the view field of the camera based on the recorded image data, and activates the reader unit only when an animal is detected within the identification zone.

Abstract: Within a view field, a camera records image data representing a body portion of an animal. A reader unit registers identity data from a data carrier on the animal and a data processor associates the recorded image data with the registered identity data. A passageway only allows a single animal at the time within the camera's view field. The camera is arranged so that the view field covers an identification zone within the passageway. To reduce the risk that the reader unit interferes with other nearby equipment, the data processor detects the presence of any animal within the view field of the camera based on the recorded image data, and activates the reader unit only when an animal is detected within the identification zone.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in a milking system for simultaneous milking of a plurality of milking animals, wherein the milking system comprises a plurality of milking positions (P1-P24) and an arrangement for establishing identities of and expected milking times for the milking animals. Each of the milking positions is provided with teat cups, which are attached to the teats of a milking animal and are connected to a source of vacuum to milk the milking animal. The inventive arrangement comprises means (10) for determining a milking position, at which the milking animal having the longest expected milking time is present, based on the established identities and expected milking times; and a device (11, 13, 17; 20) for performing an action with respect to the milking system in response to the determination.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in a milking system for simultaneous milking of animals comprising milking positions (P1-P24), each of which being provided with teat cups, which are attached to the teats of an animal and are connected to a source of vacuum to milk the animal. The arrangement comprises a processing device (10) for gathering and processing information of the milking of the animals, and terminal units (13) arranged at the milking positions and connected to the processing device (10). The processing device is provided for (i) receiving a user identity; (ii) retrieving a user specific setting based on the received user identity, said user specific setting defining user specific information of the milking of the animals; and (iii) transmitting information of the milking of the animals to the terminal units defined by the retrieved user specific setting. The terminal units output automatically the information received from the processing device.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in a milking system for simultaneous milking of a plurality of milking animals, wherein the milking system comprises a plurality of milking positions (P1-P24) and an arrangement for establishing identities of and expected milking times for the milking animals. Each of the milking positions is provided with teat cups, which are attached to the teats of a milking animal and are connected to a source of vacuum to milk the milking animal. The inventive arrangement comprises means (10) for determining a milking position, at which the milking animal having the longest expected milking time is present, based on the established identities and expected milking times; and a device (11, 13, 17; 20) for performing an action with respect to the milking system in response to the determination.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and a method for allowing performance of several separate treatment of a teat of an animal. The device includes a cup-shaped body (1) having a surface (2) defining an inner space (3), which is arranged to receive the teat of the animal. The device also includes a first delivery mechanism arranged to provide a first treatment by supplying a first medium (4) to the teat via at least a first passage having a plurality of openings (10, 18) to the inner space (3) and at least one additional delivery mechanism arranged to provide an additional medium (13, 26, 28) to the teat, via at least an additional passage having a plurality of openings (10,18) to the inner space(3). Thereby, the device provides at least two different treatments of the teats at different occasions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for allowing performance of several separate treatments of a teat of an animal. The device comprises a cup-shaped body (1) having a surface (2) defining an inner space (3), which is arranged to receive a teat of the animal. The device comprises also first means arranged to provide a first treatment by supplying a first medium (4) to the teat via at least a first passage having a plurality of openings (10, 18) to the inner space (3) and at least one additional means arranged to provide an additional treatment by supplying an additional medium (13, 26, 28) to the teat, via at least an additional passage having a plurality of openings (10, 18) to the inner space (3). Thereby, the device provides at least two different treatments of the teats at different occasions.

Abstract: The present invention refers to teat cup cleaning in an automated milking system comprising a plurality of teat cups, each connected to a first end of a respective milk line (5), and the second end of each milk line being individually and automatically connectable to a first (7) or a second container (9), respectively, wherein, during milking of the teats of a milking animal, the plurality of teat cups are attached to the teats of the animal, the second ends of the milk lines are connected to said first container and vacuum is supplied to said first container in order to draw milk through the milk lines into said first container.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for keeping lactating animals in a loose-housing system. A milking stall is provided between a resting and a feeding section. First to third identification gates respectively are arranged between the resting and feeding sections and fourth identification gate is arranged at an entrance gate to the milking stall. By means of a transponder carried by each animal and a transponder reader located at each identification gate a control device is activated. The control device is associated with operating equipment related to each gate to maneuver the gates dependent on the transponder-related status of the animal.

Abstract: The present invention refers to teat cup cleaning in an automated milking system comprising a plurality of teat cups, each connected to a first end of a respective milk line (5), and the second end of each milk line being individually and automatically connectable to a first (7) or a second container (9), respectively, wherein, during milking of the teats of a milking animal, the plurality of teat cups are attached to the teats of the animal, the second ends of the milk lines are connected to said first container and vacuum is supplied to said first container in order to draw milk through the milk lines into said first container.

Abstract: An apparatus for milking or other animal-related operation includes a support means and a robot arm connected to a robot arm suspension means. The robot arm suspension means is hingedly connected to the support means about a horizontal axis, and the robot arm is arranged lower than the support means for allowing the robot arm suspension means to perform a substantially pendulum movement about the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A device for gripping an animal related element comprises a base portion adapted to be connected to a robot arm, and an image capturing element provided with a housing and a lens having a viewing axis, the image capturing element being arraged on the base portion. According to the invention, alteration elements are provided for allowing the viewing axis to be altered, wherein the alteration elements comprise hinge elements and a driving element for allowing the image capturing element to be pivoted about the hinge element.