Network integration with invisible fencing systems

• US 20050288007A1
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Benco, David S., Mahajan, Sanjeev, Sheen, Baoling S., True, Sandra L.
• Application Number:
  US10/877,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288007A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/422.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0266 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact distance between parent and child or surveyor and item
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

Embodiments of the system and method may be for monitoring a movable object. One embodiment of the method may have the steps of: attaching a monitor unit to a movable object; forming an invisible boundary that is detectable by the monitor unit; linking the invisible boundary and monitoring unit to at least one mobile terminal; selectively turning on and off power to the invisible boundary from the mobile terminal; detecting when the monitor unit crosses the invisible boundary and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore; and detecting a low battery condition of the monitor unit and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a movable object having a monitor unit, comprising the steps of:

forming an invisible boundary that is detectable by the monitor unit; and

linking the invisible boundary and monitor unit to at least one mobile terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the moveable object is an animal, wherein the monitor unit is a collar attached to the animal, and wherein the invisible boundary is an invisible fence system.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of selectively turning on and off power to the invisible boundary from the mobile terminal.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of detecting when the monitor unit crosses the invisible boundary and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of detecting a low battery condition of the monitor unit and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore.

6. A method for monitoring a movable object, comprising the steps of:

attaching a monitor unit to a movable object;

forming an invisible boundary that is detectable by the monitor unit;

linking the invisible boundary and monitoring unit to at least one mobile terminal;

selectively turning on and off power to the invisible boundary from the mobile terminal;

detecting when the monitor unit crosses the invisible boundary and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore; and

detecting a low battery condition of the monitor unit and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the moveable object is an animal, wherein the monitor unit is a collar attached to the animal, and wherein the invisible boundary is an invisible fence system.

8. A system that monitors a movable object, comprising:

a monitor unit attached to a movable object;

an invisible boundary that is detectable by the monitor unit; and

a telecommunication link that effects communication at least from the invisible boundary and monitor unit to at least one mobile terminal.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the moveable object is an animal, wherein the monitor unit is a collar attached to the animal, and wherein the invisible boundary is an invisible fence system.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the system further comprises a controller module operatively connected to the monitor unit and to the invisible boundary, and an invisible fence power module operatively connected to the controller module and to the invisible boundary for selectively turning on and off power to the invisible boundary from the mobile terminal.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the system further comprises a controller module operatively connected to the monitor unit and to the invisible boundary, and an escape sensor module operatively connected to the controller module and to the monitor unit for detecting when the monitor unit crosses the invisible boundary and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the system further comprises a controller module operatively connected to the monitor unit and to the invisible boundary, and a low battery monitor operatively connected to the controller module and to the monitor unit for detecting a low battery condition of the monitor unit and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore.

13. A system that monitors an animal, comprising:

at least one collar unit attached respectively to at least one animal;

an invisible fence that is detectable by the collar unit;

a controller module operatively connected to the collar unit and to the invisible fence;

a telecommunication receiver/transmitter operatively connected to the controller module for providing a telecommunication link that effects communication at least from the invisible fence and collar unit to at least one mobile terminal;

an invisible fence power module operatively connected to the controller module and to the invisible fence for selectively turning on and off power to the invisible fence from the mobile terminal;

an escape sensor module operatively connected to the controller module and to the collar unit for detecting when the collar unit crosses the invisible fence and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore; and

a low battery monitor operatively connected to the controller module and to the collar unit for detecting a low battery condition of the collar unit and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore.

14. A method for monitoring a movable object having a monitor unit, comprising the steps of:

forming an invisible boundary that is detectable by the monitor unit;

linking the invisible boundary and monitor unit to at least one mobile terminal in a telecommunication network;

detecting when the monitor unit crosses the invisible boundary; and

sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative of the monitor unit crossing the invisible boundary.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the moveable object is an animal, wherein the monitor unit is a collar attached to the animal, and wherein the invisible boundary is an invisible fence system.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the at least one mobile terminal in the telecommunication network is a point of control for the invisible boundary.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of selectively turning on and off power to the invisible boundary from the mobile terminal.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of detecting a low battery condition of the monitor unit and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein a signal is sent to the mobile terminal a phone call or an SMS message that is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal.

20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the crossing of the invisible boundary by the monitor unit is classified according to severity, and wherein a type and form of the signal is dependent on the severity.