Apparatus and method for confining an animal within a boundary
First Claim
1. An animal control device for keeping an animal within a boundary comprising:
- an antenna coil worn by said animal for detecting an alternating current in a conductor buried along said boundary;
amplifier means for amplifying a voltage induced in said antenna coil; and
rate detecting means for determining when a change in voltage across said antenna coil with time exceeds a predetermined value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An animal control device, and method for confining an animal within a boundary identified by a current carrying conductor. The animal is equipped with a control device, as an antenna coil, which is coupled to a magnetic flux emanating from the conductor. When the animal approaches the boundary conductor, the change in voltage across the antenna coil is compared with a reference change in voltage. As the distance closes from a charging animal, the rate of change in voltage from the antenna coil increases correspondingly, providing a reliable detection of the animal'"'"'s imminent crossing of the boundary. Conventional animal correction circuitry is provided which, in response to a detected voltage change, issues a corrective stimulus to the animal to stop the animal from crossing the boundary.
133 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An animal control device for keeping an animal within a boundary comprising:
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an antenna coil worn by said animal for detecting an alternating current in a conductor buried along said boundary; amplifier means for amplifying a voltage induced in said antenna coil; and rate detecting means for determining when a change in voltage across said antenna coil with time exceeds a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An animal control device for applying a stimulus to an animal as it approaches a boundary comprising:
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an antenna coil which is worn by the animal for generating a voltage from a magnetic field which identifies said boundary; a rate detector connected to said antenna coil for detecting the rate of approach of said animal to said boundary; and means for applying a stimulus to said animal when said rate of approach exceeds a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. An animal control device for applying a stimulus to an animal when said animal approaches a boundary defined by a conductor which generates an alternating magnetic field comprising:
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an antenna coil worn by said animal, said coil having a voltage output which varies as the orientation of said coil with respect to said conductor changes; differentiation circuit means for determining the rate of change of said voltage induced in said antenna coil when said voltage amplitude is minimized due to said induction coil orientation with respect to said conductor; amplitude circuit determining means for determining amplitude levels of said antenna coil voltage when the rate of change of said voltage is minimized due to said antenna coil orientation; a first comparator means for generating a stimulation signal when said amplitude levels of said voltage exceed an amplitude reference level; a second comparator means for generating a stimulation signal when said rate of change of said voltage produced by said antenna coil exceeds a rate of change reference level; and stimulation generation means for applying a stimulus to said animal when either said first or second comparator means generates a stimulation signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling the proximity of an animal to a conductor which carries an alternating current signal comprising:
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detecting a voltage induced by said conductor into an antenna coil worn by said animal; determining the rate of change of said voltage; comparing the rate of change with a reference rate of change; and generating a stimulus to said animal for correcting the behavior of said animal when said rate of change exceeds said reference rate of change. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification