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US-20260123604-A1 - MODULAR SMART PET FEEDER

US20260123604A1US 20260123604 A1US20260123604 A1US 20260123604A1US-20260123604-A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein are various embodiments relating generally to an apparatus for automatically feeding pets, which may be remotely controlled or monitored, which provides predictive maintenance capability for critical components of the apparatus so that failures that could deprive a pet from food can be avoided, and which includes optional “plug-and-play” connectable modules that provide additional functionality and relay important metrics concerning a pet's physical wellbeing or the condition or status of the various modules, as well as provide entertainment for the pet in a stylish manner.

Inventors

  • Piotr Westfalewicz

Assignees

  • Piotr Westfalewicz

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20241107

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . An automated modular apparatus for storing and dispensing pet food, said apparatus comprising: a memory stored in non-transitory computer-readable medium, said memory comprising: system data, said system data comprising one or more of the following: user information entered into said memory by a user, controller information measured by a main controller, connector information measured by a connector system, module information measured by a connectable module, and the status of said connectable modules connected to said apparatus; said main controller, said main controller being capable of accessing and interacting with said memory, including sending and receiving said system data, and comprising: one or more processors; said connector system, said connector system being controllable by and optionally capable of communicating with said main controller, including sending and receiving said system data, said connector system being capable of connecting said connectable modules to said controller; and said connectable modules, said connectable modules being capable of connecting to said connector system in various combinations, or not at all; said connectable modules optionally comprising a module controller, which is controllable by and capable of communicating with said main controller, including sending and receiving said system data; and comprising: a pet food storage compartment, said pet food storage compartment comprising: a bin, said bin being capable of storing said pet food; and an access door, said access door being capable of accessing said bin in order to fill said bin with said pet food; a food dispensing mechanism, said food dispensing mechanism being controllable by and capable of communicating with said main controller, including sending and receiving said system data, and capable of dispensing said pet food from said pet food storage compartment on demand, by a programmable schedule, or based on said system data; wherein said system data is used by said apparatus to recommend or control feeding times and amounts or to restrict feeding for a pet.
  2. 2 . An automated modular apparatus for storing and dispensing pet food, said apparatus comprising: a memory stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, said memory comprising: system data, said system data comprising one or more of the following: user information entered into said memory by a user, controller information measured by a main controller, connector information measured by a connector system, module information measured by a connectable module, and the status of said connectable modules connected to said apparatus; said main controller, said main controller being capable of accessing and interacting with said memory, including sending and receiving said system data, and comprising: one or more processors; a pet food storage compartment, said pet food storage compartment comprising: a bin, said bin being capable of storing said pet food; and an access door, said access door being capable of accessing said bin in order to fill said bin with said pet food; a food dispensing mechanism, said food dispensing mechanism being controllable by and capable of communicating with said main controller, including sending and receiving said system data, and capable of dispensing said pet food from said pet food storage compartment on demand, by a programmable schedule, or based on said system data; said connector system, said connector system being controllable by and optionally capable of communicating with said main controller, including sending and receiving said system data, said connector system being capable of connecting said connectable modules to said controller; and said connectable modules, said connectable modules being capable of connecting to said connector system in various combinations, or not at all; said connectable modules optionally comprising a module controller, which is controllable by and capable of communicating with said main controller, including sending and receiving said system data; wherein said system data is used by said apparatus to recommend or control feeding times and amounts or to restrict feeding for a pet.
  3. 3 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said apparatus further comprises internet connectivity.
  4. 4 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said apparatus and said module controller further comprises wireless connectivity.
  5. 5 . An apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said pet food storage compartment is controllable by and capable of communicating with said main controller, including sending and receiving said system data, and further comprises a pet food level sensor, said pet food level sensor being capable of measuring the amount of said pet food in said pet food storage compartment and communicating said amount to said apparatus as said system data.
  6. 6 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise a feeding bowl, said feeding bowl being capable of receiving said pet food from said food dispensing mechanism, said feeding bowl being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data.
  7. 7 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise a feeding bowl, said feeding bowl being capable of receiving said pet food from said food dispensing mechanism, said feeding bowl being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and comprising: a lid, said lid being capable of being opened and closed using said main controller on demand, by a programmable schedule, or based on said system data.
  8. 8 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules comprise a feeding bowl, said feeding bowl being capable of receiving said pet food from said food dispensing mechanism, said feeding bowl being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and said feeding bowl comprising: a lid, said lid being capable of being opened and closed using said main controller on demand, by a programmable schedule, or based on said system data; and a food weight scale, said food weight scale being capable of measuring the weight of said pet food in said feeding bowl.
  9. 9 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules comprise a feeding bowl, said feeding bowl being capable of receiving said pet food from said food dispensing mechanism, said feeding bowl being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and said feeding bowl, and said feeding bowl comprising: a food weight scale, said food weight scale being capable of measuring the weight of said pet food in said feeding bowl.
  10. 10 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise a light ring, said light ring being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and comprising: an array of LED lights, said array being mounted in a ring around said apparatus; wherein said LED lights of said array illuminate in a sequence to simulate a spinning effect or pattern, which appears to speed up as a feeding time approaches.
  11. 11 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise a light ring, said light ring being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and comprising: an array of LED lights, said array being mounted in a ring around said apparatus; wherein said LED lights of said array comprise a customizable pattern, which changes as said feeding time approaches.
  12. 12 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise a light fixture, said light fixture being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and comprising: one or more light sources; wherein said one or more light sources comprise a customizable pattern, which changes as said feeding time approaches.
  13. 13 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise a pet weight scale, said pet weight scale being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and being capable of weighing said pet's weight while said pet resides on said pet weight scale and communicating said pet's weight to said main controller as said system data.
  14. 14 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise: a pet weight scale, said pet weight scale being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and being capable of weighing said pet's weight while said pet resides on said pet weight scale and communicating said pet's weight to said main controller as said system data; a light ring, said light ring being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and comprising: an array of LED lights, said array being mounted in a ring around said apparatus; wherein said LED lights of said array illuminate in a sequence to simulate a spinning effect or pattern, which appears to speed up as a feeding time approaches; and wherein said pattern changes depending on said pet's weight as measured by said pet weight scale.
  15. 15 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise: a pet weight scale, said pet weight scale being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and being capable of weighing said pet's weight while said pet resides on said pet weight scale and communicating said pet's weight to said main controller as said system data; a light ring, said light ring being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and comprising: an array of LED lights, said array being mounted in a ring around said apparatus; wherein said LED lights of said array comprise a customizable pattern, which changes as said feeding time approaches; and wherein said pattern changes depending on said pet's weight as measured by said pet weight scale.
  16. 16 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise: a pet weight scale, said pet weight scale being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and being capable of weighing said pet's weight while said pet resides on said pet weight scale and communicating said pet's weight to said main controller as said system data; a light fixture, said light fixture being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and comprising: one or more light sources; wherein said one or more light sources comprise a customizable pattern, which changes as said feeding time approaches; and wherein said pattern changes depending on said pet's weight as measured by said pet weight scale.
  17. 17 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise a barrier to prevent other said pets from accessing said apparatus while one said pet is feeding, said barrier comprising: one or more side walls, a top cover, a tunnel, or an all-around cover, said all-around cover comprising a door.
  18. 18 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise an LED barrier, said LED barrier being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and being capable of displaying customizable ornamentation, decorations, and animations, said LED barrier comprising: one or more side walls, a top cover, a tunnel, or an all-around cover, said all-around cover comprising a door.
  19. 19 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise a display screen, said display screen being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and being capable of displaying said system data.
  20. 20 . An apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said connectable modules further comprise an RFID system, said an RFID system being controllable by and capable of communicating with said apparatus or said connectable modules, including sending and receiving said system data, and being capable of communicating identification data to said main controller as said system data, said identification data comprising: unique identifying information for said pet, said RFID system comprising: an RFID tag, said RFID tag being capable of being worn by said pet and communicating said identification data to an RFID reader; and said RFID reader.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is in the technical field of animal feeders. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to pet feeders. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to automatic pet feeders. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to automatic pet feeders, which are modular. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to modular automatic pet feeders with multiple optional connectable modules for custom configurations. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to smart modular automatic pet feeders, which use computer processors to coordinate and manage multiple optional connectable modules. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to smart modular automatic pet feeders, which use predictive maintenance systems in order to prevent failures and to ensure continuous pet feeding while a pet owner is away and to improve the health of the pet. 2. Description of the Related Art Pet owners desire maintaining the health of their pets, including ensuring that their pets eat appropriate portions at regular intervals. Pet owners who travel or are away from their pets during feeding times can impact a pet's feeding schedule. Providing a pet with additional food while the owner is away for longer periods of time may technically sustain the pet; however, such strategies can lead to binge eating that may affect the pet's health. In addition, owners of multiple pets encounter problems when each pet has different dietary restrictions. Some pets may overeat, while other pets may undereat or be finicky and require additional stimulus to encourage eating. There is a need to provide an automatic pet feeder, which allows for customizable configurations that suit the particular needs of pets and the desires and budgets of pet owners, which allows for managed pet feeding to improve the health of one or more pets, and which predicts failures before they occur so that the failure may be prevented in order to provide continual feeding while a pet owner is away. The broad concept of pet feeders is generally known. However, most of these pet feeders are not automatic, modular, or smart. Automatic pet feeders that store pet food are known as well. However, these automatic pet feeders are not modular or customizable and do not use predictive maintenance systems to prevent failures. Additionally, pet feeders that detect food levels are known; however, these pet feeders are not modular or customizable and do not use predictive maintenance systems to prevent failures. In addition, automatic pet feeders with openable lids are known; however, these automatic pet feeders are not modular or customizable and do not use predictive maintenance systems to prevent failures. Also, automatic pet feeders with programable schedules are known. However, these automatic pet feeders are not modular or customizable so that other features may be added and do not use predictive maintenance systems to prevent failures. Furthermore, pet feeders with a pet detection system, such as an RFID system, are known; however, these pet feeders these automatic pet feeders are not modular or customizable and do not use predictive maintenance systems to prevent failures. Automatic pet feeder with food delivery systems, such as an auger, propellor, or conveyor belt, are known as well. However, these automatic pet feeders do not offer optional modular food delivery systems that allows users to choose different types of food delivery systems to use with a feeder. In addition, these automatic pet feeders do not use predictive maintenance systems to prevent failures. Additionally, pet feeders with LED lights are known; however, these pet feeders usually use LED lights as indicators for human operators, and not pets, and do not provide animated lights that simulate spinning and increase the simulated spinning speed as a feeding time approaches in order to encourage a pet to eat. In addition, these automatic pet feeders do not use predictive maintenance systems to prevent failures. Also, pet feeders with weight scales and pet feeders that weigh pets are known; however, these pet feeders do not have modules that fit together in a compact and useful manner or are customizable and connectable to other optional modules. In addition, these pet feeders do not use predictive maintenance systems to prevent failures. Pet feeders that have internet connectivity are also known; however, these pet feeders do not have modules that fit to