Electronic animal confinement system

• US 5,682,839 A
• Filed: 10/23/1995
• Issued: 11/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Perimeter Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Perimeter Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Coomer, Timothy A., Allen, Paul M., Grimsley, Richard L., Teets, Dale A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PRICE JR, RICHARD THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US08/553,724
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 119/721, 119/720, 119/719, 119/718
• US Class Current: 119/721
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices

Abstract

A system (10) for confining an animal (18) in an area (16) defined by a boundary signal. The system includes a transmitter (22; 22A) to generate the boundary signal and an emitter such as a wire (20) to define area (16). The system also includes a receiver (26; 26A; 200; 200A) to be carried on the animal'"'"'s neck. The receiver includes three selectively monitored and orthogonally-positional antennas (30, 32, 34; 202, 204, 206) to avoid missing a boundary signal. The receiver further includes code-detecting, duration monitoring and/or signal-strength circuitry (270) to control giving a shock to the animal. Further, the receiver is duty-cycled to conserve battery power (56). The shock is communicated via a conductive compliant tip (532) to reduce discomfort to the animal. The transmitter includes circuitry (64) to include a code in the boundary signal, and an isolation transformer (102) to protect the transmitter from energy strikes, such as lightning, at the emitter (20).

Claims

1. A receiver adapted to be supported on an animal to confine the animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the receiver comprising:

three generally orthogonally positioned antennas;

a source of annoyance signals;

receiver circuitry coupled to the source of annoyance signals and enabling the annoyance signals in response to receipt of a boundary signal on at least one of the antennas; and

switch circuitry coupled to the antennas and selectively coupling, one at a time, one of the three antennas to the receiver circuitry.

2. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the receiver circuitry includes control circuitry coupled to the switch circuitry by which to control which antenna is coupled to the receiver circuitry.

3. The receiver of claim 2 wherein the switch circuitry includes a trio of switches each coupled to a respective one of the antennas.

4. The receiver of claim 3 wherein the control circuitry includes counter circuitry having a plurality of outputs each coupled to a respective one of the switches whereby to control same.

5. The receiver of claim 3 wherein the control circuitry includes a programmable device which selectively actuates a respective one of the switches whereby to control same.

6. The receiver of claim 2 wherein the control circuit includes means for maintaining a selected one of the antennas coupled to the receiver circuitry in response to receipt of a boundary signal.

7. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the source of annoyance signals includes an audible sounder whereby to provide an audible alert.

8. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the source of annoyance signals includes a shock generator whereby to generate a shock.

9. The receiver of claim 8 further including at least one electrically conductive probe coupled to the shock generator whereby to communicate the shock from the shock generator to the animal.

10. The receiver of claim 9 wherein the probe includes an electrically conductive, compliant tip.

11. The receiver of claim 8 wherein the receiver circuitry includes duration-monitoring circuitry enabling the shock generator when a boundary signal has been received for a selected duration.

12. The receiver of claim 11 wherein the receiver circuitry further includes a selector by which to select the duration.

13. The receiver of claim 11 wherein the receiver circuitry includes code-detecting circuitry evaluating the received boundary signal for a predetermined code, the duration-monitoring circuitry and the code-detecting circuitry cooperating to enable the shock generator when a boundary signal with the predetermined code has been received for the selected duration.

14. The receiver of claim 13 wherein the source of annoyance signals further includes an audible sounder responsive to the code-detecting circuitry to sound when a boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

15. The receiver of claim 13 in combination with a transmitter of the boundary signal, the transmitter having circuitry for including the predetermined code with the boundary signal.

16. The receiver of claim 8 wherein the receiver circuitry includes code-detecting circuitry evaluating the received boundary signal for a predetermined code, the duration-monitoring circuitry and the code-detecting circuitry cooperating to enable the shock generator when a boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

17. The receiver of claim 16 wherein the source of annoyance signals further includes an audible sounder responsive to the code-detecting circuitry to sound when a boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

18. The receiver of claim 16 in combination with a transmitter of the boundary signal, the transmitter having circuitry for including the predetermined code with the boundary signal.

19. The receiver of claim 8 wherein the receiver circuitry includes signal-strength circuitry enabling the shock generator when a boundary signal of sufficient strength is received.

20. The receiver of claim 19 wherein the receiver circuitry further includes code-detecting circuitry evaluating the received boundary signal for a predetermined code, the signal-strength circuitry and the code-detecting circuitry cooperating to enable the shock generator when a sufficiently strong boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

21. The receiver of claim 20 wherein the source of annoyance signals further includes an audible sounder responsive to the code-detecting circuitry to sound when a boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

22. The receiver of claim 20 in combination with a transmitter of the boundary signal, the transmitter having circuitry for including the predetermined code with the boundary signal.

23. The receiver of claim 1 wherein the receiver circuitry includes an RF front end and a processing section, the RF front end converting the signals received by the antennas to a form compatible with the processing section, the processing section being responsive to the converted form of signals to enable the annoyance signals, the receiver further comprising duty cycle circuitry coupled to the RF front end and selectively coupling power between a source of power and the RF front end to turn same on and off whereby to conserve power.

24. The receiver of claim 23 wherein the processing section includes control circuitry coupled to the duty cycle circuitry and responsive to receipt by one of the antennas of a signal that may be a boundary signal to interrupt action of the duty cycle circuitry whereby to maintain the RF front end turned on.

25. The receiver of claim 23 wherein the receiver further includes motion sensor circuitry responsive to motion of the animal to interrupt action of the duty cycle circuitry whereby to maintain the RF front end turned on.

26. The receiver of claim 23 wherein the receiver further includes motion sensor circuitry responsive to prolonged inactivity of the animal to limit action of the duty cycle circuit whereby to maintain the RF front end turned off.

27. The receiver of claim 23 wherein the duty cycle circuitry is further coupled to the processing section and further selectively couples power between the source of power and the processing section to selectively turn same on and off whereby to conserve power.

28. A receiver adapted to be supported on an animal to confine the animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the receiver comprising:

at least one antenna;

a shock generator;

receiver circuitry coupled to the antenna, the receiver circuitry including duration-monitoring circuitry enabling the shock generator when a boundary signal has been received for a selected duration, the receiver circuitry further including a selector by which to select the duration.

29. The receiver of claim 28 wherein the receiver circuitry further includes code-detecting circuitry evaluating the received boundary signal for a predetermined code, the duration-monitoring circuitry and the code-detecting circuitry cooperating to enable the shock generator when a boundary signal with the predetermined code has been received for the selected duration.

30. The receiver of claim 29 further comprising an audible sounder responsive to the code-detecting circuitry to sound when a boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

31. The receiver of claim 29 in combination with a transmitter of the boundary signal, the transmitter having circuitry for including the predetermined code with the boundary signal.

32. The receiver of claim 28 wherein the receiver circuitry further includes signal-strength circuitry enabling the shock generator when a boundary signal of sufficient strength is received.

33. The receiver of claim 32 wherein the receiver circuitry further includes code-detecting circuitry comparing a code in the received boundary signal to a predetermined code, the signal-strength circuitry and the code-detecting circuitry cooperating to enable the shock generator when a sufficiently strong boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

34. The receiver of claim 33 further comprising an audible sounder responsive to the code-detecting circuitry to sound when a boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

35. The receiver of claim 33 in combination with a transmitter of the boundary signal, the transmitter having circuitry for including the predetermined code with the boundary signal.

36. The receiver of claim 28 wherein the receiver circuitry includes an RF front end and a processing section including the duration-monitoring circuitry, the RF front end converting the signals received by the antenna to a form compatible with the processing section, the processing section being responsive to the converted form of signals to control the shock generator, the receiver further comprising duty cycle circuitry coupled to the RF front end and selectively coupling power between a source of power and the RF front end to turn same on and off whereby to conserve power.

37. The receiver of claim 36 wherein the processing section includes control circuitry coupled to the duty cycle circuitry and responsive to receipt of a signal that may be a boundary signal to interrupt action of the duty cycle circuitry whereby to maintain the RF front end turned on.

38. The receiver of claim 36 wherein the receiver further includes motion sensor circuitry responsive to motion of the animal to interrupt action of the duty cycle circuitry whereby to maintain the RF front end turned on.

39. The receiver of claim 36 wherein the receiver further includes motion sensor circuitry responsive to prolonged inactivity of the animal to limit action of the duty cycle circuit whereby to maintain the RF front end turned off.

40. The receiver of claim 36 wherein the duty cycle circuitry is further coupled to the processing section and further selectively couples power between the source of power and the processing section to selectively turn same on and off whereby to conserve power.

41. The receiver of claim 28 further including at least one electrically conductive probe coupled to the shock generator whereby to communicate shocks from the shock generator to the animal.

42. The receiver of claim 41 wherein the probe includes an electrically conductive, compliant tip.

43. A receiver adapted to be supported on an animal to confine the animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the receiver comprising:

at least one antenna;

a source of annoyance signals;

an RF front end coupled to the antenna and processing circuitry coupled to the RF front end and enabling the annoyance signals in response to receipt of a boundary signal on the antenna; and

duty cycle circuitry coupled between a source of power and at least the RF front end, the duty cycle circuitry selectively coupling power between the source of power and the RF front end to turn same on and off whereby to conserve power.

44. The receiver of claim 43 further comprising:

two more antennas, the three antennas being generally orthogonally positioned; and

switch circuitry coupled to the antennas and selectively coupling, one at a time, one of the antennas to the RF front end whereby to enable the annoyance signals in response to receipt of a boundary signal on at least one of the antennas.

45. The receiver of claim 43 wherein the processing section further includes control circuitry coupled to the duty cycle circuitry and responsive to receipt of a signal that may be a boundary signal to interrupt action of the duty cycle circuitry whereby to maintain the RF front end turned on.

46. The receiver of claim 45 wherein the receiver further includes motion sensor circuitry responsive to motion of the animal to interrupt action of the duty cycle circuitry whereby to maintain the RF front end turned on.

47. The receiver of claim 45 wherein the receiver further includes motion sensor circuitry responsive to prolonged inactivity of the animal to limit action of the duty cycle circuit whereby to maintain the RF front end turned off.

48. The receiver of claim 43 wherein the duty cycle circuitry is further coupled to the processing section and further selectively couples power between the source of power and the processing section to selectively turn same on and off whereby to conserve power.

49. The receiver of claim 48 wherein the receiver further includes motion sensor circuitry responsive to motion of the animal to interrupt action of the duty cycle circuitry whereby to maintain the RF front end and the processing circuitry turned on.

50. The receiver of claim 48 wherein the receiver further includes motion sensor circuitry responsive to prolonged inactivity of the animal to limit action of the duty cycle circuit whereby to maintain the RF front end and the processing circuitry turned off.

51. The receiver of claim 43 wherein the duty cycle circuitry includes a multivibrator with an output cycling between a first state and a second state, the output being coupled to the RF front end such that in a first state of the output, the RF front end is turned on, and in a second state of the output, the RF front end is turned off.

52. The receiver of claim 51 further comprising state-controller circuitry responsive to the RF front end to control the multivibrator such that its output remains in the first state in response to receipt of a signal that may be a boundary signal.

53. The receiver of claim 52 wherein the processing circuitry includes reset circuitry to release control of the multivibrator from the state-controller circuitry whereby the multivibrator'"'"'s output again cycles between the first and second states.

54. The receiver of claim 43 further comprising:

power-signal circuitry having a first state and a second state and being coupled to the processing circuitry whereby to power same in the first state, the power-signal circuitry normally being in the second state; and

control circuitry, coupled to the duty-cycle circuitry and the power-signal circuitry, responsive to receipt of a signal that may be a boundary signal to interrupt action of the duty-cycle circuitry and to force the power-signal circuitry into the first state whereby to maintain the RF front end and the processing section turned on.

55. The receiver of claim 54 wherein the processing section includes reset circuitry to release control of the duty-cycle circuitry and power-signal circuitry from the control circuitry whereby to turn off the processing section and to restore action of the duty-cycle circuitry to turn the RF front end on and off.

56. The receiver of claim 55 wherein the processing section further includes keep-alive circuitry coupled to the power-signal circuitry and selectively causing the power-signal circuitry to remain in the first state whereby to keep the processing section turned on irrespective of the reset circuitry.

57. The receiver of claim 43 wherein the duty-cycle circuitry includes:

actuatable timer circuitry having an output being in one of a first state and a second state; and

power-signal circuitry responsive to the timer circuitry output to provide power to the RF front end in the first state of the timer circuitry and to terminate power to the Rf front end in the second state of the timer circuitry.

58. The receiver of claim 57, the processing circuitry further being coupled to the power-signal circuitry to be turned on thereby in the first state of the timer circuitry.

59. The receiver of claim 58, the processing circuitry including shutdown circuitry, the timer circuitry being responsive to the shutdown circuitry such that the output of the timer circuitry is actuated into the second state in response to a shutdown signal from the shutdown circuitry, whereby the processing circuitry is turned off and the timer circuitry reestablishes its output in the first state after a timer period of the timer circuitry.

60. The receiver of claim 57, the processing circuitry including shutdown circuitry, the timer circuitry being responsive to the shutdown circuitry such that the output of the timer circuitry is actuated into the second state in response to a shutdown signal from the shutdown circuitry, whereby the RF front end is turned off and the timer circuitry reestablishes its output in the first state after a timer period of the timer circuitry.

61. The receiver of claim 43 wherein the source of annoyance signals includes a shock generator whereby to generate a shock.

62. The receiver of claim 61 further including at least one electrically conductive probe coupled to the shock generator whereby to communicate the shock from the shock generator to the animal.

63. The receiver of claim 62 wherein the probe includes an electrically conductive, compliant tip.

64. The receiver of claim 61 wherein the receiver circuitry includes duration-monitoring circuitry enabling the shock generator when a boundary signal has been received for a selected duration.

65. The receiver of claim 64 wherein the receiver circuitry further includes a selector by which to select the duration.

66. The receiver of claim 64 wherein the receiver circuitry includes code-detecting circuitry evaluating the received boundary signal for a predetermined code, the duration-monitoring circuitry and the code-detecting circuitry cooperating to enable the shock generator when a boundary signal with the predetermined code has been received for the selected duration.

67. The receiver of claim 66 wherein the source of annoyance signals further includes an audible sounder responsive to the code-detecting circuitry to sound when a boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

68. The receiver of claim 66 in combination with a transmitter of the boundary signal, the transmitter having circuitry for including the predetermined code with the boundary signal.

69. The receiver of claim 61 wherein the receiver circuitry includes code-detecting circuitry evaluating the received boundary signal for a predetermined code, the duration-monitoring circuitry and the code-detecting circuitry cooperating to enable the shock generator when a boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

70. The receiver of claim 69 wherein the source of annoyance signals further includes an audible sounder responsive to the code-detecting circuitry to sound when a boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

71. The receiver of claim 69 in combination with a transmitter of the boundary signal, the transmitter having circuitry for including the predetermined code with the boundary signal.

72. The receiver of claim 61 wherein the receiver circuitry includes signal-strength circuitry enabling the shock generator when a boundary signal of sufficient strength is received.

73. The receiver of claim 72 wherein the receiver circuitry further includes code-detecting circuitry evaluating the received boundary signal for a predetermined code, the signal-strength circuitry and the code-detecting circuitry cooperating to enable the shock generator when a sufficiently strong boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

74. The receiver of claim 72 wherein the source of annoyance signals further includes an audible sounder responsive to the code-detecting circuitry to sound when a boundary signal with the predetermined code is received.

75. The receiver of claim 72 in combination with a transmitter of the boundary signal, the transmitter having circuitry for including the predetermined code with the boundary signal.

76. A receiver adapted to be supported on an animal to confine the animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the receiver comprising:

at least one antenna;

an audible sounder;

a shock generator;

receiver circuitry coupled to the antenna, the receiver circuitry including code-detecting circuitry enabling the audible sounder in response to a predetermined code in a boundary signal received at the antenna, the receiver circuitry further including duration-monitoring circuitry responsive to the code-detect circuitry and receipt at the antenna of the boundary signal for a selected duration, the shock generator being responsive to the duration-monitoring circuitry whereby to generate a shock when the boundary signal includes the predetermined code and is received for the selected duration; and

the receiver circuitry further including signal-strength circuitry responsive to the code-detect circuitry and receipt at the antenna of the boundary signal having a strength above a preselected level, the shock generator further being responsive to the signal-strength circuitry whereby to generate a shock when the boundary signal is of sufficient strength and includes the predetermined code irrespective of whether the boundary signal is received for the selected duration.

77. The receiver of claim 76 further comprising a selector by which to select the duration.

78. A receiver adapted to be supported on an animal to confine the animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the receiver comprising:

at least one antenna;

a shock generator;

receiver circuitry coupled to the antenna and enabling the shock generator in response to receipt of a boundary signal;

a conductive probe coupled to the shock generator whereby to communicate a shock from the shock generator to the animal; and

an electrically conductive, compliant portion being defined at a distal tip of the probe.

79. The receiver of claim 78 wherein the probe includes a rigid support portion and the compliant tip portion is a separate piece having an aperture into which the support portion is received to establish mechanical and electrical connection therebetween.

80. The receiver of claim 79, the support portion having a christmas-tree-like exterior.

81. The receiver of claim 79, the support portion having anti-rotation notches formed therein.

82. A transmitter for an animal confinement system comprising:

a boundary signal source;

a connector to couple the boundary signal from the source to a boundary emitter;

an isolation transformer coupled between the source and the connector whereby to isolate against high energy signals on the boundary emitter.

83. The transmitter of claim 82 further comprising code circuitry coupled to the boundary signal source for including a predetermined code with the boundary signal.

84. The transmitter of claim 83 in combination with a receiver adapted to be supported on an animal, the receiver comprising at least one antenna, a source of annoyance signals, and receiver circuitry responsive to receipt on the antenna of the boundary signal with the predetermined code to enable the annoyance signals.

85. A receiver adapted to be supported on an animal to confine the animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the receiver comprising:

three generally orthogonally positioned antennas;

a source of annoyance signals;

receiver circuitry coupled to the antennas and the source of annoyance signals and enabling the annoyance signals in response to receipt of a boundary signal on at least one of the antennas.

86. A method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:

generating a boundary signal;

emitting the boundary signal from an emitter to define the boundary;

monitoring, in the vicinity of the animal and from three generally orthogonal orientations relative the animal, for the boundary signal, wherein one orientation at a time is monitored; and

generating an annoyance signal to the animal if the boundary signal is received in at least one of the orientations.

87. The method of claim 86 further comprising:

including a predetermined code with the boundary signal;

evaluating the received signal for the predetermined code; and

generating the annoyance signal only if the predetermined code is present in the received signal.

88. The method of claim 87 further comprising:

monitoring for receipt of the boundary signal over a selected duration;

generating the annoyance signal if the boundary signal is received with the predetermined code over the selected duration.

89. The method of claim 88 further comprising selecting the duration specific to the animal.

90. The method of claim 88 further comprising:

monitoring the strength of the received boundary signal;

generating the annoyance signal if the received boundary signal includes the predetermined code and has a signal strength above a selected level.

91. The method of claim 87 further comprising:

monitoring the strength of the received boundary signal;

generating the annoyance signal if the received boundary signal includes the predetermined code and has a signal strength above a selected level.

92. The method of claim 86 further comprising:

monitoring for receipt of the boundary signal over a selected duration;

generating the annoyance signal if the boundary signal is received over the selected duration.

93. The method of claim 92 further comprising selecting the duration specific to the animal.

94. The method of claim 92 further comprising:

monitoring the strength of the received boundary signal;

generating the annoyance signal if the received boundary signal has a signal strength above a selected level.

95. The method of claim 86 further comprising:

monitoring the strength of the received boundary signal;

generating the annoyance signal if the received boundary signal has a signal strength above a selected level.

96. The method of claim 86 wherein monitoring for the boundary signal is done with electronic circuitry powered by a battery, the method further comprising duty-cycling the electronic circuitry on and off whereby to conserve battery power.

97. The method of claim 86 further comprising coupling the boundary signal to the emitter via an isolation transformer.

98. The method of claim 86 further comprising terminating the annoyance signal after a period of time even though the boundary signal is still being received.

99. The method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:

generating a boundary signal;

emitting the boundary signal from an emitter to define the boundary;

monitoring in the vicinity of the animal for the boundary signal;

generating a shock to the animal if the boundary signal is received over a selected duration; and

selecting the duration specific to the animal.

100. The method of claim 99 further comprising:

including a predetermined code with the boundary signal;

evaluating the received signal for the predetermined code; and

generating the shock only if the predetermined code is present in the received signal.

101. The method of claim 100 wherein monitoring for the boundary signal is done with electronic circuitry powered by a battery, the method further comprising duty-cycling the electronic circuitry on and off whereby to conserve battery power.

102. The method of claim 100 further comprising:

monitoring the strength of the received boundary signal;

generating the shock if the received boundary signal includes the predetermined code and has a signal strength above a selected level.

103. The method of claim 102 wherein monitoring for the boundary signal is done with electronic circuitry powered by a battery, the method further comprising duty-cycling the electronic circuitry on and off whereby to conserve battery power.

104. The method of claim 99 further comprising:

monitoring the strength of the received boundary signal;

generating the shock if the received boundary signal has a signal strength above a selected level.

105. The method of claim 104 wherein monitoring for the boundary signal is done with electronic circuitry powered by a battery, the method further comprising duty-cycling the electronic circuitry on and off whereby to conserve battery power.

106. The method of claim 99 wherein monitoring for the boundary signal is done with electronic circuitry powered by a battery, the method further comprising duty-cycling the electronic circuitry on and off whereby to conserve battery power.

107. The method of claim 99 further comprising terminating the shock after a period of time after the selected duration even though the boundary signal is still being received.

108. The method of claim 99 further comprising coupling the boundary signal to the emitter via an isolation transformer.

109. A method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:

generating a boundary signal;

emitting the boundary signal from an emitter to define the boundary;

monitoring in the vicinity of the animal for the boundary signal;

generating an audible signal to the animal if the boundary signal is received;

after the audible signal is generated, generating a shock to the animal only if the boundary signal continues to be received over a selected duration; and

generating a shock to the animal if the boundary signal exceeds a preselected strength irrespective of the selected duration.

110. The method of claim 109 further comprising selecting the duration specific to the animal.

111. A method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:

generating a boundary signal;

emitting the boundary signal from an emitter to define the boundary;

monitoring in the vicinity of the animal for the boundary signal with electronic circuitry powered by a battery;

generating an annoyance signal to the animal if the boundary signal is received; and

duty-cycling the electronic circuitry on and off whereby to conserve battery power.

112. The method of claim 111 further comprising coupling the boundary signal to the emitter via an isolation transformer.

113. The method of claim 111 further comprising terminating the annoyance signal after a period of time even though the boundary signal is still being received.

114. A method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:

generating a boundary signal;

emitting the boundary signal from an emitter to define the boundary;

monitoring in the vicinity of the animal for the boundary signal;

generating a shock if the boundary signal is received; and

coupling the shock to the animal via a conductive, compliant tip.

115. The method of claim 114 further comprising terminating the shock after a period of time even though the boundary signal is still being received.

116. A method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:

generating a boundary signal;

emitting the boundary signal from an emitter to define the boundary;

monitoring in the vicinity of the animal for the boundary signal;

generating a shock to the animal if the boundary signal is received;

continuing to generate the shock to the animal while the boundary signal is received; and

terminating the shock to the animal after a period of time even though the boundary signal is still being received.