Abstract: An automatic milking machine controlled by a control unit that, in response to a control request from a first remote user terminal that indicates an intention to initiate transmission of control commands and/or parameter settings, checks whether at least one control command and/or parameter setting from a second remote user terminal has been received within a particular interval preceding a point in time when the control request was received, and if so, returns status data to the first remote user terminal that indicate an identity of the second remote user terminal so that, based thereon, an operator of the first remote user terminal can decide whether or not to remote control the milking machine at the present point in time.

Abstract: A control unit that controls an automatic milking machine to operate in accordance with control commands and/or parameter settings received from either of a local user interface fixedly arranged at the milking machine or a remote terminal, where the control unit, in response to receiving a lock command from one of the local user interface or the remote terminal, causes the automatic milking machine to operate in a single-control mode in which it operates exclusively to commands and/or parameter settings received from the one of the local user interface or the remote terminal that generated the lock command, in order to ensure predictable and safer operation of the milking machine particularly in view of personnel located in proximity of the milking machine.

Abstract: An automatic milking machine controlled by a control unit that, in response to a control request from a first remote user terminal that indicates an intention to initiate transmission of control commands and/or parameter settings, checks whether at least one control command and/or parameter setting from a second remote user terminal has been received within a particular interval preceding a point in time when the control request was received, and if so, returns status data to the first remote user terminal that indicate an identity of the second remote user terminal so that, based thereon, an operator of the first remote user terminal can decide whether or not to remote control the milking machine at the present point in time.

Abstract: A control unit that controls an automatic milking machine to operate in accordance with control commands and/or parameter settings received from either of a local user interface fixedly arranged at the milking machine or a remote terminal, where the control unit, in response to receiving a lock command from one of the local user interface or the remote terminal, causes the automatic milking machine to operate in a single-control mode in which it operates exclusively to commands and/or parameter settings received from the one of the local user interface or the remote terminal that generated the lock command, in order to ensure predictable and safer operation of the milking machine particularly in view of personnel located in proximity of the milking machine.

Abstract: A milk analyzing system is disclosed, which includes a milk constituent analyzing unit configured to analyze milk from a milking station with respect to a specific constituent of the milk, and a control device communicatively connected to the milking station and to the milk constituent analyzing unit. The control device is configured to retrieve an analyzing appropriateness parameter for each of the animals milked by the milking station indicating an appropriateness of analyzing milk from the animal with respect to the specific constituent. The control device is configured to control the milk constituent analyzing unit to analyze milk from the milking station with respect to the specific constituent when the time elapsed from when the milk constituent analyzing unit last analyzed milk exceeds a threshold time period, irrespective of the analyzing appropriateness parameter for the animal milked by the milking station.

Abstract: A device to motivate an animal to leave a milking stall includes at least a first unit configured to motivate the animal to leave the milking stall by a first motivation means; a second unit configured to motivate the animal to leave the milking stall by a second motivation means which is of a different type than the first motivation means; and a control unit configured, when it is time for the animal to leave the milking stall, to activate at least one of the first and second units such that the animal in the milking stall will be motivated to leave the milking stall.

Abstract: A milking system includes a milk storage tank, a common milk line connected to the tank, at least two milking stations connected to the milk line, a milk constituent analyzing unit connected to the milk line and analyzing the milk provided from each of the stations through the milk line, with respect to a specific milk constituent, and a computer operatively connected to the analyzing unit. The computer stores milk quality information of the extracted milk and animal identity data of each of the specifically identified animals. Each station automatically identifies a specific animal, extracts milk from the animal, and transfers the milk through the common milk line to the milk storage tank. The stations, the computer, and the analyzing unit are operatively connected to allow a result of the milk analysis to be associated with the animal(s) identity specifically identified at each station from which the milk was extracted.

Abstract: A device to motivate an animal to leave a milking stall includes at least a first unit configured to motivate the animal to leave the milking stall by a first motivation means; a second unit configured to motivate the animal to leave the milking stall by a second motivation means which is of a different type than the first motivation means; and a control unit configured, when it is time for the animal to leave the milking stall, to activate at least one of the first and second units such that the animal in the milking stall will be motivated to leave the milking stall.

Abstract: Control of interstitial photodynamic therapy (PDT) by means of modulation control and/or optical tomography are disclosed. Accurate reconstruction of optical properties in tissue treated by the PDT is provided. Optical tomography is used as an input for controlling dosimetry in said PDT system.

Abstract: A milking system includes a milk storage tank, a common milk line connected to the tank, at least two milking stations connected to the milk line, a milk constituent analyzing unit connected to the milk line and analyzing the milk provided from each of the stations through the milk line, with respect to a specific milk constituent, and a computer operatively connected to the analyzing unit. The computer stores milk quality information of the extracted milk and animal identity data of each of the specifically identified animals. Each station automatically identifies a specific animal, extracts milk from the animal, and transfers the milk through the common milk line to the milk storage tank. The stations, the computer, and the analyzing unit are operatively connected to allow a result of the milk analysis to be associated with the animal(s) identity specifically identified at each station from which the milk was extracted.

Abstract: A milk analyzing system is disclosed, which includes a milk constituent analyzing unit configured to analyze milk from a milking station with respect to a specific constituent of the milk, and a control device communicatively connected to the milking station and to the milk constituent analyzing unit. The control device is configured to retrieve an analyzing appropriateness parameter for each of the animals milked by the milking station indicating an appropriateness of analyzing milk from the animal with respect to the specific constituent. The control device is configured to control the milk constituent analyzing unit to analyze milk from the milking station with respect to the specific constituent when the time elapsed from when the milk constituent analyzing unit last analyzed milk exceeds a threshold time period, irrespective of the analyzing appropriateness parameter for the animal milked by the milking station.