Transponder control of animal whereabouts
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for controlling the whereabouts of an animal, said system comprising:
- (a) at least one transponder operable to receive a first signal and, in response to receiving said first signal, to transmit a second signal distinguishable from said first signal, said at least one transponder being positionable to define the location of a boundary for the animal;
(b) a transmitter for transmitting said first signal;
(c) a receiver for receiving said second signal and for detecting a condition of said second signal indicating proximity of the animal to said boundary; and
(d) a stimulator responsive to said receiver for administering to the animal, in response to said detecting of said condition, at least one stimulus for deterring the animal from traversing said boundary in order to control the whereabouts of the animal.
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Abstract
The whereabouts of a pet or other animal are controlled using one or more transponders to established a boundary. The transponders receive an incident signal from a transmitter and generate a distinguishable return signal which, when the animal moves into proximity of the boundary, is received by a unit affixed to the animal to initiate application of an aversive stimulus which deters the animal from traversing the boundary. The transponders can be active or passive and can be located to establish either fixed or mobile boundaries.
177 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for controlling the whereabouts of an animal, said system comprising:
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(a) at least one transponder operable to receive a first signal and, in response to receiving said first signal, to transmit a second signal distinguishable from said first signal, said at least one transponder being positionable to define the location of a boundary for the animal; (b) a transmitter for transmitting said first signal; (c) a receiver for receiving said second signal and for detecting a condition of said second signal indicating proximity of the animal to said boundary; and (d) a stimulator responsive to said receiver for administering to the animal, in response to said detecting of said condition, at least one stimulus for deterring the animal from traversing said boundary in order to control the whereabouts of the animal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In an animal whereabouts control system of a type including one or more battery-powered circuits affixed to the animal during operation of the system, the improvement comprising:
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(a) a resettable timer which times out a period of time after being reset, said timer being coupled to at least one of said one or more circuits for deenergizing said one or more circuits when said timer times out, and (b) a motion detector mechanically coupled to the animal to detect movement of the animal, said motion detector being connected to said timer so as to reset said timer in response to said movement while permitting said timer to time out and deenergize said at least one of said one or more circuits if said movement is not detected within said period of time of the most recent resetting of said timer whereby battery power is conserved when the animal is inactive.
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Specification