Abstract: The invention pertains to automatic animal actuated apparatus, such as a power operated feeder, wherein an actuator worn by the animal is employed to control light sensing means operatively associated with the servicing apparatus. Interrogation means adjacent an animal station utilizes a plurality of light sensing devices oriented in a predetermined manner to magnetic orientation means. An actuator worn by the animal contains orientation means of a magnetic type for permitting predetermined orientation of the actuator to the interrogation light sensing devices, and a coded light transmitting pattern defined upon the actuator permits interrogation of the actuator by the passage of light therethrough to control the servicing apparatus in the desired manner.
Abstract: The invention pertains to animal feeders of the automatic type wherein animals, such as dairy cows, may be selectively fed different feed supplements from a pair of feed dispensers wherein a feed transfer actuator worn by the animal selectively energizes feed transfer means upon the animal placing its head within a feed trough. In the practice of the invention feed transfer is controlled by an electric switch biased by a magnetic field, the animal worn actuator being capable of influencing the biasing magnetic field, and hence the switch, to actuate the desired feed transfer apparatus. In the preferred embodiment two feed dispensing troughs and transfer devices are utilized and the magnetic field orientation of each device is reversed with respect to the other whereby the animal worn actuator actuates only one feed dispenser of the system, or the animal worn actuator may be of a universal type capable of actuating both feed dispensers.