Automated pet entry door

• US 20080278335A1
• Filed: 05/05/2008
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gregory A. Welte
• Original Assignee: Gregory A. Welte
• Inventors: Welte, Gregory A.
• Application Number:
  US12/151,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20080278335A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.3
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/64 using a proximity sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication

Abstract

A locking pet-entry door for a building. The pet'"'"'s collar is equipped with an RFID tag, or transponder. An RFID tag reader controls a lock on the pet-entry door. When the transponder comes within range of the RFID tag reader, the transponder transmits a code, which the RFID tag reader receives.

Claims

1. Apparatus, comprising:

a) an RFID reader which issues a radio-frequency, rf, interrogation signal;

b) an RFID tag, which receives the rf interrogation signal and, in response, transmits an rf code;

c) a fastening system which enables a human to attach the RFID tag to a non-human animal; and

d) a door actuation apparatus effective to control a pet entry door, which apparatus the RFID reader actuates when the RFID reader receives the rf code.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which an adult human of average size cannot pass through the pet entry door in an upright walking gait.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising a shipping container in which (1) the RFID reader, (2) the RFID tag, and (3) the door actuation apparatus are contained.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the RFID reader (1) receives operating power from house current during normal operation, and (2) receives no operating power when in the container.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the door actuation apparatus

i) comprises a lock which is effective to hold a pet entry door in a closed position, and

ii) is effective to open the pet entry door when the predetermined code is received.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the door actuation apparatus

i) comprises a mechanism which is effective to move a closed pet entry door into an open position, and

ii) is effective to actuate the mechanism when the predetermined code is received.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the RFID tag contains no batteries, and receives its operating power from the interrogation signal.

7. Apparatus, comprising:

a) a human entry door in a building, through which an average-sized human can walk in a normal gait;

b) a pet entry door mounted in the human entry door, through which an average-sized human cannot walk in a normal upright gait;

c) a locking system which holds the pet entry door closed;

d) an RFID reader which

i) transmits an interrogation signal, and

ii) issues a release signal to the locking system if a predetermined code is received in response to the interrogations signal, said release signal being effective to release the pet entry door from the closed position;

e) an RFID tag which transmits the predetermined code when it receives the interrogation signal; and

f) a carrier for attaching the RFID tag to a pet collar.

8. Apparatus, comprising:

a) a swinging door, which is mountable in an aperture in a door in a building, and which

i) swings in a first direction to allow a pet to pass through the swinging door in the first direction; and

ii) swings in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to allow the pet to pass through the swinging door in the second direction;

b) a locking system which

i) locks the swinging door in a fixed position, and inhibits swinging in both the first and second directions; and

ii) unlocks the swinging door when it receives a release signal;

c) an RFID tag which transmits a code when it receives an interrogation signal;

d) an RFID reader which

i) transmits said interrogation signal, and

ii) issues the release signal if said code is received in response to the interrogations signal; and

e) a carrier for attaching the RFID tag to a pet collar.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the interrogation signal is transmitted periodically.