APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RESTRICTING MOVEMENT OF AN ANIMAL INTO OR OUT OF A DEFINED AREA
First Claim
1. An apparatus for restricting the movement of an animal into or out of a defined area, the apparatus comprising:
- a transmitting device having transmitting circuitry for emitting compressional waves at ultrasonic frequencies, wherein the transmitting device emits the compressional waves in a directional radiation pattern to delineate the boundaries of the defined area for restricting the movement of the animal; and
a receiving device having a power source and receiving circuitry for receipt of the compressional waves emitted from the transmitting device, wherein the receiving device is shaped to decrease the peripheral reception of the compressional waves emitted from the transmitting device, wherein the receiving device is capable of being harnessed to the animal, and wherein the receiving device includes a corrective stimulation mechanism to apply to the animal corrective stimulation tending to restrict the movement of the animal into or out of the defined area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for restricting the movement of an animal into or out of a defined area for training and preventing the animal from crossing into or out of the defined area, e.g., a room within a house or an enclosed or defined space outside of a house, such as a gateway or a doorway, while not affecting surrounding areas. The apparatus and method for restricting the movement of the animal utilizes a receiving device shaped to decrease the peripheral reception an ultrasonic frequency emitted from a transmitter, and thereby decreasing the likelihood of corrective stimulation outside the defined area. The apparatus and method for restricting the movement of an animal also includes a variable duty cycle to achieve substantial power savings and prolonged battery life once the animal does not need continuous corrective stimulation.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for restricting the movement of an animal into or out of a defined area, the apparatus comprising:
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a transmitting device having transmitting circuitry for emitting compressional waves at ultrasonic frequencies, wherein the transmitting device emits the compressional waves in a directional radiation pattern to delineate the boundaries of the defined area for restricting the movement of the animal; and a receiving device having a power source and receiving circuitry for receipt of the compressional waves emitted from the transmitting device, wherein the receiving device is shaped to decrease the peripheral reception of the compressional waves emitted from the transmitting device, wherein the receiving device is capable of being harnessed to the animal, and wherein the receiving device includes a corrective stimulation mechanism to apply to the animal corrective stimulation tending to restrict the movement of the animal into or out of the defined area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for restricting the movement of an animal into or out of a defined area, the method comprising the steps of:
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emitting compressional waves at ultrasonic frequencies from a transmitting device in a directional radiation pattern to delineate the boundaries of the defined area for restricting the movement of the animal; receiving the compressional waves emitted from the transmitting device at a receiving device shaped to decrease the peripheral reception of the compressional waves emitted from the transmitting device; in response to receipt of the compressional waves emitted from the transmitting device and received at the receiving device, applying corrective stimulation to the animal tending to restrict the movement of the animal into or out of the defined area; and activating a power savings mode having a variable duty cycle for power savings and prolonged power source life once the animal is sufficiently trained. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. The method of claim 20 wherein the predetermined criteria programmed into the microcontroller of the receiving device is a shock count algorithm for determining when the animal is sufficiently trained.
Specification