Animal training and tracking device having global positioning satellite unit

• US 5,857,433 A
• Filed: 07/14/1997
• Issued: 01/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: John C. Files
• Inventors: Files, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bergin, James S.
• Application Number:
  US08/891,428
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 119/720, 119/721, 119/859, 119/DIG. 908, 340/573, 342/357, 367/139, 701/213
• US Class Current: 119/720
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/021 Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices

Abstract

A device for training/controlling and tracking an animal is described. The device includes both an aversive stimuli unit and a global positioning satellite system unit in a housing. Coupled to the housing is a harness, collar or other mechanism for attaching the device to an animal. The aversive stimuli unit is remotely operable using a hand-held control unit to aversively stimulate the animal wearing the housing. The global positioning satellite unit coupled to the housing allows determination of the animal'"'"'s position relative to the operator of the hand-held control unit. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed particularly for tracking and training or controlling one or more dogs.

Claims

1. A device to be worn by an animal for tracking and training or controlling the animal, comprising:

an aversive stimuli unit, the stimuli unit being remotely operable usa hand-held control unit to aversively stimulate the animal wearing the device, said stimuli unit connected to a support; and

a global positioning satellite system unit connected to said support for determining the position of the animal wearing the device.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the hand-held control unit includes a transmitter for actuating the stimuli unit.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the stimuli unit comprises electrodes for delivering a mild shock to the animal wearing the device.

4. The device according to claim 3 and further including an intensity switch coupled to the hand-held unit for selecting the intensity of the electric shock that is applied to the animal.

5. The device according to claim 1 including a receiver antennae for receiving signals transmitted to the device from a transmitter antennae or satellite communication operably coupled to the hand-held unit.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the hand-held unit includes a display device for displaying information about the operation of the device and location of the animal.

7. The device according to claim 1 and further including an intensity switch coupled to the hand-held unit for selecting the intensity of the aversive stimuli applied to the animal.

8. A device for tracking and training or controlling a dog, comprising:

a collar having a housing attached thereto;

electrodes coupled to the housing, the electrodes being remotely operable using a hand-held control unit; and

a global positioning satellite unit coupled to the housing for determining the dog'"'"'s position as it roams afield.

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the hand-held control unit includes a transmitter for actuating the stimuli unit.

10. The device according to claim 8 wherein the housing includes a receiver antennae for receiving signals transmitted to the housing from a transmitter antennae coupled to the hand-held unit.

11. The device according to claim 8 wherein the hand-held unit includes a display device for displaying information about the operation of the device and location of the animal.

12. The device according to claim 8 and further including an intensity switch coupled to the hand-held unit for selecting the intensity of the electric shock applied to the animal.