ANIMAL TRACKING AND CONTAINMENT SYSTEM

• US 20080272920A1
• Filed: 05/02/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US11/743,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20080272920A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.3
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method for tracking and containing animals within a programmable and customizable confinement area are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a user programmable device is provided that is capable of receiving GPS data, variable inputs, and a rule script. The user-programmable device executes a script generated by a user upon accessing a web-based application stored in a remote server. The rule script includes rules for activation and deactivation of the corrective collar based upon various variable conditions such as proximity to owner, on leash status, time of day or other parameters in addition to boundaries. The remote server is communicatively coupled to said user programmable device and can be accessed by using a user interface for allowing the user to create the rule script.

Claims

2. The containment system of claim 1 wherein the GPS data and variable inputs captured in the device are stored and transmitted back to the server and can be viewed by the user in the web-based application.

3-1. The containment system of claim 1, wherein the location data series is mapping data having spatial coordinates.

17. A method for containing a pet within a containment system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one user programmable device having an owner proximity sensor and capable of receiving;

GPS data from a GPS source for determining the current location of the device,

variable inputs including owner proximity data received from said owner proximity sensor, and

a rule script;

providing a web based application within a remote server that is communicatively coupled to the user programmable device;

accessing said web-based application through a user interface for allowing the user to;

create a rule script containing a set of variable rules based on variable inputs and a location data series;

executing said rule script in the user programmable device; and

activating and deactivating said user programmable device within the containment system on the basis of said set of variable rules written in the rule script.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the GPS data and variable inputs captured in the device are stored and transmitted back to the server and can be viewed by the user in the web-based application.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the web-based application contains an overlay of publicly available maps.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the location data series is mapping data having spatial coordinates.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the user programmable device is a shock collar worn by a pet.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the rule script is programmed to create a virtual boundary for the pet.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the rule script is programmed to activate the device when the pet crosses the virtual boundary.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the rule script activate the device when the pet crosses the boundary causing a shock to the pet.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the shock collar has a leash sensor for detecting the pet in proximity to the pet owner.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the shock collar is deactivated when the leash sensor detects the pet in proximity to the pet owner.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein deactivation of the shock collar allows the pet to move outside the virtual boundary without receiving a shock.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the leash sensor causes a variable input to the device for use in the rule script.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein said set of variable rules is based upon the boundary sensor output.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein said variable inputs is comprised of activity, owner proximity data, time and date data captured in the device.

31. The method of claim 17, wherein said user interface is a mobile phone.

32. The method of claim 17, wherein said user interface is a personal computer.

33. The method of claim 17, wherein said user interface is a personal device assistant.

34. The user programmable device of claim 33, further comprising:

memory devices for storing various data;

a real time clock for providing real time and date;

a shock capacitor;

light emitting means;

sound emitting means;

an internal battery; and

an accelerometer for charging the internal battery.

33-2. A user programmable device being used in a containment system, the device comprising:

receiver for receiving GPS data;

means to receive variable inputs from a user;

receiver for receiving a rule script containing a set of variable rules, said script being generated by;

accessing a web-based application that is stored within a remote server, and

using the GPS data and said variable inputs;

boundary sensor for sensing virtual boundary predefined by the rule script;

a leash sensor for sensing the proximity to owner;

plurality of sensors for detecting various parameters that are used to create said set of rules;

processor for executing the received script and modifying the rules upon analyzing variable inputs and various said parameters;

transmitter for sending the status of each rule to said remote server;

wherein, said user programmable gets activated or deactivated depending upon the said script within said containment system.