METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TELEOPERATION, GUIDANCE AND ODOR DETECTION TRAINING OF A FREELY ROAMING ANIMAL THROUGH BRAIN STIMULATION
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use with a freely roaming animal, comprising:
- at least one control (210, 215) for controlling movement of the animal (190) by controlling energizing of electrodes that are implanted in the animal'"'"'s brain;
at least one sensor (225, 230, 235, 245, 255, 260) associated with the at least one control for providing data; and
a transceiver (220) associated with the at least one control for receiving a wireless control signal from a remote operator (100, 10) for controlling the movement of the animal, and for transmitting a wireless signal carrying the data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electronic components, including a transceiver for two-way wireless communications, are carried by a freely roaming animal such as a rat. Electrodes are implanted in the brain of the animal to provide cues and rewards to the animal to achieved desired behaviors, including controlling the direction and speed of movement of the animal, and training the animal to recognize odors. The electronics can include network interface components that allow a network of the animals to work together. Sensors carried by the animal provide information to a remote base-station regarding, e.g., heading and location. Other sensors, such as a video camera, microphone, and chemical or gas detector, provide information regarding an environment of the animal. The animal can carry out missions such as searching for people buried in rubble piles, law enforcement operations, and detection of explosives, chemicals or other dangerous materials. A vehicle for deploying the animal is also provided.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use with a freely roaming animal, comprising:
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at least one control (210, 215) for controlling movement of the animal (190) by controlling energizing of electrodes that are implanted in the animal'"'"'s brain; at least one sensor (225, 230, 235, 245, 255, 260) associated with the at least one control for providing data; and a transceiver (220) associated with the at least one control for receiving a wireless control signal from a remote operator (100, 10) for controlling the movement of the animal, and for transmitting a wireless signal carrying the data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A network of freely roaming animals, comprising:
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a plurality of network interface devices (310, 320, 330, 340) and associated transceivers; wherein each network interface device hosts a node of the network, and each network interface device and transceiver is carried by a respective one of the animals. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for training a freely roaming animal, comprising:
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monitoring the animal'"'"'s behavior; and controlling movement of the animal by remotely controlling energizing of electrodes that are implanted in the anima)'"'"'s brain to achieve a desired behavior. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for training a freely roaming animal to detect a target odor, comprising:
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recording olfactory recognition signals from the animal'"'"'s brain; and responsive to the recording, analyzing the olfactory recognition signals to determine whether there is a recognition event indicating that the animal has detected the target odor.
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34. A remotely controlled propelled vehicle for deploying an animal, comprising:
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means (530) for carrying the animal; means (535, 537, 540, 547) for egressing the animal from the carrying means; and means (570) for receiving a wireless control signal from a base station for controlling the vehicle (500) and the egressing means. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification