Sensing mat for an animal treatment system

Abstract

A system that incorporates spraying logic onto a sensor mat to detect and apply various liquids onto the feet of an animal. Each sensor in the sensor mat actuates at least one predetermined spray nozzle application of the medicinal fluid. The system is designed so that each hoof triggers at least two sensors, with each sensor activating at least one spray nozzle. All of the electronic components are located away from the mat and a controller control spraying and timing. Stop bars prevent the mat from compressing beyond a predetermined distance to prevent sensor failure. The sensors have a triple moisture prevention configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of automatically detecting individual animals and accommodating different treatments by increasing the frequency of treatments, duration of nozzle on time, and/or different chemical compositions within a sensing area for an animal treatment system, the method comprising the steps of:
 sensing an animal's foot via pressure sensors, load cells, and/or non-contact sensors;   activating one or more predetermined spray nozzles via a controller configured to receive an output from the sensing area;   identifying an individual animal; and   supplying a different treatment frequency, duration, and/or chemical compositions to the one or more predetermined spray nozzles depending upon identification of the individual animal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein identifying comprises detecting an object on the individual animal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the object is a magnet attached to a leg of the individual animal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein if more than one magnet is detected then the one or more predetermined spray nozzles apply a different treatment frequency, duration, and/or chemical compositions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the object is a wireless device on the individual animal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the wireless device is located in an ear tag. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the wireless device is an RFID system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the wireless device is an RFID system. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  wherein if the individual animal requires a plurality of treatments then the one or more predetermined spray nozzles apply a different treatment frequency, duration, and/or chemical compositions. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein if the individual animal requires a plurality of treatments then the one or more predetermined spray nozzles apply a different treatment frequency, duration, and/or chemical compositions. 
     
     
         11 . A sensing area for an animal treatment system comprising:
 a plurality of spray nozzles, each spray nozzle configured to spray a fluid to a specific portion of the sensing area;   a plurality of sensors sensing an animal's foot via pressure sensors, load cells, and/or non-contact sensors; and   a controller configured to identify an individual animal, to receive an output from the plurality of sensors and to send a signal to activate one or more predetermined spray nozzles, and to supply a different treatment frequency, duration, and/or chemical compositions to the one or more predetermined spray nozzles depending upon the individual animal.   
     
     
         12 . The sensing area of  claim 11  wherein said controller detects an object on the individual animal. 
     
     
         13 . The sensing area of  claim 12  wherein the object is a magnet is attached to a leg of the individual animal. 
     
     
         14 . The sensing area of  claim 13  wherein if more than one magnet is detected then the one or more predetermined spray nozzles apply a different treatment frequency, duration, and/or chemical compositions. 
     
     
         15 . The sensing area of  claim 12  wherein said controller detects a wireless device on the individual animal. 
     
     
         16 . The sensing area of  claim 15  wherein the wireless device is located in an ear tag. 
     
     
         17 . The sensing area of  claim 16  wherein the wireless device is an RFID system. 
     
     
         18 . The sensing area of  claim 15  wherein the wireless device is an RFID system. 
     
     
         19 . The sensing area of  claim 15  wherein if the individual animal requires a plurality of treatments then the one or more predetermined spray nozzles apply a different treatment frequency, duration, and/or chemical compositions. 
     
     
         20 . The sensing area of  claim 11  wherein if the individual animal requires a plurality of treatments then the one or more predetermined spray nozzles apply a different treatment frequency, duration, and/or chemical compositions.