ABSTRACT

Ceriola, Jomar etal (April 2014)”AUTOMATED PET FEED AIDER (A.P.F.A)” (An Undergraduate Thesis, Aquinas University College of nursing and Health Sciences, Rawis, Legazpi City, SY 2013-2014)

This project explains about designing and developing an automated pet feed aider using a microcontroller. The device can be operated the use of mobile phone or manual switch. The device can be operated through the use of mobile phone or manual switch. Not like the ordinary pet feeding product in the market today that requires the user to set the times of feeding, this automated pet feed aider uses a proximity sensor to sense the presence of the pet that allows the user to know whether the pet dog is ready to eat. The device uses push buttons as weight sensor to determine the food capacity of the device and whether the pet dog had finished its meal. Specifically, it answered the following problems: 1) What device will be used to automate dog feed administration through mobile phone? 2) What are the different materials to be used in monitoring dog feed administration? 3) What type of feedback will the user receive?
Using developmental method of research, the proponents through group discussions and brainstorming with the influence of the Internet, related literatures and past project designs came up with the idea for Automated Pet Feed Aider. Researches and brainstorming led to the identification of the parts and materials to be used in the design. The purpose and concept of this project is the same with other device like it, to feed the pet without the presence of the owner. The device was designed to give feedback via SMS to the user. The container indicator is a switch button instead of a weight sensor, the bowl button also function similar as this. This project was developed using Gizduino X microcontroller that lay the role as the main coantroller of the system of the divice. The microcontroller used in this project is programmed using Arduino IDE. The microcontroller controls the rotation of the motor and push button on the device and through the gSM shield sends/receives SMS messages for feedback and operational purpose.
In conclusion, the proponents were able to materialize the design of the Automated Pet Feed Aider for dogs. To make the device function properly, the following electronic Pet feed Aider for dogs. To make the device function properly, the following electronic and mechanical components were used, resistors, diodes, LEDs, male and female jumper wires, relays, GSM Shield, Gizduino X, Proximity Sensor, DC Motor, tensioner, Chain and springs. The software used to make the design were Arduino IDE, Fritzing and Microsoft Office for presentation.