Animal control system having correction monitor

• US 20090071413A1
• Filed: 09/14/2007
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dogwatch Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dogwatch Incorporated
• Inventors: Peterson, Frederic T., Stapelfeld, Norval
• Granted Patent: US 8,006,649 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/712
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices

Abstract

A receiver for an animal control system having a correction monitor which indicates that the animal has attempted to challenge the system, as determined by the occurrence of one or more correction events within a specified period of time. A correction event occurs when a stimulus is applied to the animal. The stimulus may be an audible alert, or may be an electrical shock. The correction monitor is operative to monitor correction events and to provide an indication that an event has occurred. In one embodiment, the correction event can be signaled to a user at the receiver by use of an LED or other indicator or display which is latched on for a defined period of time. In another embodiment, the correction event can be signaled to a user at a central location, such as by an indicator or display in the animal owner'"'"'s house. The correction event may also be signaled remotely via a communications path or network, and displayed in any suitable manner at one or more remote locations. The time of correction events and location information can be provided in association with the event indication.

Claims

1. For use in a system for controlling the movement of an animal in which a loop antenna is energized by a transmitter to provide a radiation field detectable by a receiver worn by the animal, the receiver being operative to provide a stimulus to the animal upon a valid detection of the radiated field, a correction monitor comprising:

a monitoring circuit in the receiver and operative upon a valid detection of the radiated field to provide a monitor signal; and

a monitor indicator operative in response to the monitor signal to provide for a defined period of time, an indication of the occurrence of a stimulus provided to the animal.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the monitor indicator is located on the receiver.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the monitor indicator is located at a central location.

4. The invention of claim 1 including apparatus for providing a representation of the monitor signal to a communications path for transmission along the path to a remote receiving site, the monitor indicator being disposed at the remote receiving site.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the monitor indicator includes at least one visual indicator located on the receiver.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the monitor indicator provides the indication and the time of the indication.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the monitor indicator includes an LED which is energized for the defined period of time.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein the monitor indicator includes an LED which is double flashed for the defined period of time.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the defined period of time is 24 hours.

10. The invention of claim 4 wherein the communications path includes the Internet.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein the monitor indicator provides the indication and the geographic position of the receiver worn by the animal.

12. The invention of claim 1 wherein the monitor indicator provides the indication and an identification of the zone in which the indication of the occurrence of a stimulus provided to the animal occurred.