1. A supplement storage system configured to provide an animal dietary supplement in proximity of an animal confinement area, the supplement storage system comprising:
a supplement receptacle having at least one inner surface and an outer surface, the at least one inner surface defining a cavity configured to receive supplement material; and
a mounting system configured to couple the supplement receptacle to an object proximate to the animal confinement area, the mounting system comprising a first component that is configured to be secured to the object, and a second component that is coupled to the receptacle, the first component and second component having portions that permit the first component to be coupled to the second component.
2. The supplement storage system of claim 1 further comprising a dispenser configured to measure a portion of the supplement.
3. The supplement storage system of claim 2 wherein the dispenser is stored in the receptacle.
4. The supplement storage system of claim 1 further comprising a supplement identifier that is coupled to the receptacle, the supplement identifier providing information regarding at least one animal that is associated with the supplement storage system.
5. The supplement storage system of claim 1 wherein the supplement identifier is an identification card.
6. The supplement storage system of claim 5 wherein the supplement storage system further comprises a sleeve that is coupled to the supplement storage system, the identification card being received within the sleeve.
7. The supplement storage system of claim 6 further comprising a cover structure configured to cover at least a portion of the cavity wherein the sleeve is secured to a top side of the cover structure, the identification card being readable when the supplement storage system is mounted to an object.
8. The supplement storage system of claim 1 further comprising a cover that is removably coupled to the receptacle to prevent contamination of the supplement material.
9. The supplement storage system of claim 1 wherein the object is selected from one of: a portion of a stall, a portion of a kennel, a portion or an animal trailer.
10. The supplement storage system of claim 1 wherein the supplement receptacle is removably coupled to the object proximate to the animal confinement area.
11. The supplement storage system of claim 1 wherein the second component of the mounting system is permanently connected to the supplement receptacle.
12. A supplement organizing system configured to organize dietary supplement materials that are allocated to a plurality of animals by locating particular supplement material in the general proximity of particular animals, the system comprising:
a plurality of supplement storage receptacles, the supplement storage receptacles each having:
a supplement reservoir configured to store of supplement material;
a sealing means for sealing the supplement material in the reservoir to protect the supplement material against contamination or infestation; and
an identification means for providing information about the contents of the supplement reservoir,
at least one mounting means for removably mounting the plurality of supplement storage receptacles in the general proximity of one or more designated animals; and
a supplement dosing apparatus for measuring a volume of dietary supplement and transporting the dietary supplement to a feed area.
13. The supplement organizing system of claim 12 wherein the mounting means comprises a mechanical restraint that is configured to receive at least a portion of supplement organizing receptacle.
14. The supplement organizing system of claim 12 wherein the mounting means comprises a magnet.
15. The supplement organizing system of claim 12 wherein the supplement dosing apparatus comprises a scoop.
16. A method of organizing dietary supplement in proximity to an animal confinement area, the method comprising:
providing a supplement receptacle comprising at least one reservoir configured to store supplement material; and
mounting the supplement receptacle to an object proximate to an animal confinement area by:
providing a first component that is secured to the object and providing a second component that is coupled to the receptacle, and
coupling the first component to second component to removably mount the supplement receptacle to the object.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing a supplement identifier that is coupled to the supplement receptacle, the supplement identifier providing information regarding at least one animal that is designated to receive the supplement material that is stored within the supplement receptacle, the supplement identifier at least providing information identifying the at least one animal;
18. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing a supplement identifier that is located in the vicinity of the supplement receptacle, the supplement identifier providing information regarding at least one animal that is designated to receive the supplement material that is stored within the supplement receptacle, the supplement identifier at least providing information identifying the at least one animal.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the supplement receptacle is removably mounted to the object proximate to an animal confinement area.
20. A supplement storage system configured to selectively provide an animal dietary supplement in proximity of an animal confinement structure or in an animal trailer, the supplement storage system comprising:
at least one supplement receptacle having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a cavity configured to receive supplement material;
a first mounting system configured to removably couple the supplement storage system to an object proximate to the animal confinement structure, the mounting system comprising a first component that is configured to be secured to the object, and a second component that is coupled to the receptacle, the first component and second component having mating parts that permit the first component to be coupled to the second component to removably mount the supplement receptacle to the object; and
a second mounting system configured to removably couple the supplement storage system to the trailer, the second mounting system comprising a third component that is configured to be secured to the trailer, and the second component that is coupled to the receptacle, the third component and second component having mating parts that permit the third component to be coupled to the second component to removably mount the supplement receptacle to the trailer.
21. The supplement storage system of claim 20 further comprising a supplement identifier that is coupled to the receptacle, the supplement identifier providing information regarding at least one animal that is associated with the supplement storage system;
22. The supplement storage system of claim 20, wherein the second mounting system is located in one of: a tack room or dressing room.
23. A supplement storage system configured to provide an animal dietary supplement in proximity of an animal confinement area, the supplement storage system comprising:
at least one supplement receptacle having at least one inner surface and an outer surface, the at least one inner surface defining a cavity configured to receive supplement material;
a cover that is configured to cover at least a portion of the cavity of the at least one receptacle;
a mounting system configured to couple the at least one supplement receptacle to an object proximate to the animal confinement area to make the supplement easily available at the animal confinement area and safely secure the supplement; and
a supplement identifier that is coupled to an object proximate to the animal confinement area, the supplement identifier providing information that identifies at least one animal that is to receive supplement from the supplement storage system.
24. The supplement storage system of claim 23 wherein the supplement storage system comprises at least two receptacles, the mounting system being configured so that a first receptacle can dismounted without dismounting other receptacles.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of actuating a vehicle latch assembly comprising:
detecting a user’s hand gripping a handle for a door in a vehicle with proximity sensors on first and second sides of the handle;
actuating a door latch to unlatch the door based on the hand gripping the handle;
detecting with the proximity sensors an object in close proximity to the handle; and
activating a warning when the object is detected.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first side is substantially opposite the second side.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the latch comprises an electromagnetic latch.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting when the vehicle is moving, wherein a warning is activated when the vehicle is not moving.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of waiting for a time delay if the vehicle is moving, and actuating the door latch to unlatch the door following the time delay when a hand is detected gripping the door handle.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting movement of the hand in a direction on one of the proximity sensors and determining a swipe motion indicative of one of a door lock and unlock command to cause the door latch to lock or unlock based on the command.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining a size of the hand relative to one of the proximity sensors based on a plurality of sensor fields and providing an output signal only when the size exceeds a predetermined size.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensors comprise capacitive sensors.
9. A method of controlling a vehicle door latch assembly comprising:
detecting a hand gripping a door handle in a vehicle with first and second proximity sensors on first and second sides;
determining when the vehicle is moving;
performing an action other than activating a door latch to an unlatched position immediately following the detection of a valid hand grip when the vehicle is moving.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the action comprises sounding an alarm.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of waiting for a time delay when the vehicle is moving and actuating the door release to the unlocked position following expiration of the time delay.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first side is substantially opposite the second side.
13. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of detecting movement of the hand in a direction on one of the proximity sensors and determining a swipe motion indicative of one of a door lock and unlock command, to cause the door latch to lock or unlock based on the command.
14. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of determining a size of the hand relative to one of the proximity sensors based on a plurality of sensor fields and providing an output signal only when the size exceeds a predetermined size.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the proximity sensors comprise capacitive sensors.
16. A door latch assembly comprising:
first capacitive sensors on a first side of a door handle;
a second capacitive sensor on a second side of the door handle;
a latch operative to latch the door closed and to unlatch the door to allow the door to open; and
control circuitry for activating the latch to unlatch the door based on an object sensed with the first capacitive sensors and the second capacitive sensor.
17. The door latch assembly of claim 16, wherein the second capacitive sensor comprises a plurality of second capacitive sensors.
18. The door latch assembly of claim 16, wherein the assembly determines at least one of a swipe and a hand size based on signals generated by the first capacitive sensors.
19. The door latch assembly of claim 16, wherein the control circuitry further detects with the first and second capacitive sensors an object that is not gripping the handle and is in close proximity to the handle, and further activates a warning when the object is detected.
20. The door latch assembly of claim 16, wherein the control circuitry determines that the object is a hand gripping the handle and further determines if the vehicle is moving and performs an action other than activating the door latch to an unlatched position immediately following the detection of a hand gripping the handle when the vehicle is determined to be moving.