Internet-Enabled Cat Feeder ...powered by Cisco

A homemade Internet-Enabled Cat Feeder.... powered by a Cisco switch. Bringing a whole new meaning to the term 'CatOS'! ;-)

Visit http://www.newtonnet.co.uk/catfeeder for further info, photos and in-depth design details.

Overview of design/operation:

User Interface - A web frontend (sitting on a Linux server running Apache) provides full feeding control from anywhere in the world, along with live video streaming and access to all previous automatically-recorded events (i.e. any motion detected such as food delivery, the cats eating/drinking etc). A 'lite' version of the interface optimised for mobile/PDA access is also available.

Network Interface/Control - A script on the server automatically logs in to a Cisco switch in the kitchen and delivers commands to open/close particular switchports. The switch has been modified such that its port status LEDs also drive the relays on an external motor control board. Power to the board and motor also comes from the switch.

Food Delivery - This is based upon a cereal dispenser driven by a low-revs/high-torque motor. A rubber 'flapper' mechanism delivers consistently-sized portions of food through a metal splitter into two separate bowls. When stationary, the flapper seals the delivery tube in order to maintain food freshness. The tube can be easily extended to accommodate more food.

Operation - The feeder can be controlled interactively via the web interface(s), fully autonomously using cron scheduling, or manually at the lowest level using CLI directly on the switch.

Out-of-band access, in case the Internet connection fails, is also available via a dial-up modem however it if got to this stage then it's arguably time to call the neighbours in... there's only so much you should be reliant on technology for!

Visit http://www.newtonnet.co.uk/catfeeder for further info, photos and in-depth design details.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• automatic
• cat feeder
• pet feeder
• cisco
• home automation
• domotics
• too much time on his hands

[teddywanthug]

I can't help but notice two feed-spouts and three bowls. Either it's an odd aesthetic type thing, an unnecessary middle bowl, or a third cat is getting the shaft?

[newtonmj]

@teddywanthug

LOL! Middle bowl is for their water... Not that they ever seem to drink from it, prefering instead to use puddles in the garden or, annoyingly, out of my own glass when I'm not looking.

[newtonmj]

@teddywanthug

LOL! Middle bowl is for their water... Not that they ever seem to drink from it, prefering instead to use puddles in the garden or, annoyingly, out of my own glass when I'm not looking.

[fatin17]

hye..I wanna know more how it works and how to construct it..please

[newtonmj]

@fatin17

Sure - got to the URL at the end of the vid (I can't seem to post the link here) and all will be revealed! :-)

[KileSimons]

Wouldn't it have been easier and cheaper to use an old computers LPT port to control the feeder

[newtonmj]

@KileSimons That's so 1980's! Besides which, where's the fun in that?! ;-) Seriously though, yes, you're right however I didn't want a fully-blown in the kitchen and I already had the Cisco switch spare. To be honest though, switches from the 1900 series are practically given away on eBay these days so cost really doesn't come into it and I think that using a dedicated PC is somewhat overkill... If that's not a case of the pot calling the kettle black I don't know what is!! ;-)

[CaptainCool08]

CATalyst 1900

[djaresdotcom]

Nice job!

[xB4R7x]

Hello! I'm making something very similar to what to what you have here... I bought the same motor that you found and listed on your website... I know it's a 12v motor, but what kind of amperage does it need from its power supply? The label on it is written in Chinese. :/

[eclipsestorm1975]

@teddywanthug LOL getting the shaft

[capn0jack]

I'm thinking that a PoE switch would make this a lot simpler.

[stelth96]

What if I hack your network and over feed your cats! What then? MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

[theblackgold123]

this is the best thing i have ever seen created at home. VERY GOOD 100 points for u. well it will not work for me cause i got no pet and got no technology. But still it is very very very goooood

[racelogic]

cool :)