Electronic animal deterrent for protecting an area

• US 6,191,693 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2000
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OMS Investments Incorporated (Scotts Miracle-Gro Company)
• Original Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Sangsingkeow, Rungwit
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/520,679
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.3, 340/573.2, 340/552, 340/541, 340/573.4, 119/721, 119/908, 119/859, 119/719, 119/720
• US Class Current: 340/573.3
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/005 by electric shock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 119/908 Electrical animal control or handling

Abstract

An animal deterrent system for protecting a specific area. The animal deterrent system includes an infrared detection system for determining when an animal enters the protected area and an electromagnetic field (EMF) generator for communicating with a stimulus delivery system disposed on a collar worn by the pet. The stimulus delivery system produces a non-lethal electrostatic shock which encourages the pet to leave the protected area.

Claims

1. A system for deterring a animal from a specific area, said system comprising:

at least one detector for detecting an external signal representing an animal;

a detection signal generator responsive to said detector for generating a detection signal;

a power supply in electrical communication with said system;

an electromagnetic field generator connectable to said power supply, said electromagnetic field generator generating an electromagnetic field having a predetermined range;

a control circuit in electrical communication with said detection signal generator, said control circuit connecting said electromagnetic field generator to said power supply during a predetermined condition; and

a deterrent delivery system being carried by the animal, said deterrent delivery system applying a deterrent stimulus to the animal in response to said electromagnetic field.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic field generator generates an electromagnetic field having an adjustable range.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said predetermined condition includes a predetermined number of detection signals occuring within a predetermined period of time.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said external signal is continuous, each said at least one detector being disposed behind an detector cover, said detector cover being transparent to said external signal, said detector cover having facets configured to interrupt a continuous external signal into a plurality of discrete signals.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said control circuit disconnects said electromagnetic field generator from said power supply after a predetermined time period.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said control circuit disconnects said electromagnetic field generator from said power supply when said predetermined condition no longer exists.

7. A system for deterring a animal from a specific area, said system comprising:

at least one infrared sensor generating at least one detection signal when an infrared heat source is detected;

a control circuit in electrical communication with said at least one infrared sensor, said control circuit generating a field generation signal after receipt of said at least one detection signal;

a power supply in electrical communication with said system;

an electromagnetic field generator connectable to said power supply for generating an electromagnetic field;

a switch responsive to said control circuit, said switch electrically connecting said electromagnetic field generator to said power supply in response to said field generation signal; and

a deterrent delivery system responsive to said electromagnetic field, said deterrent delivery system carried by the animal, said deterrent delivery system applying a deterrent stimulus to the animal.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein each said at least one infrared sensor is disposed behind an infrared transparent window, said infrared transparent window having facets configured to interrupt a continuous infrared signal into a plurality of discrete infrared signals.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said control circuit generates said field generation signal only after receipt of a predetermined number of detection signals within a predetermined time interval.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein said control circuit closes said switch thereby disconnecting said electromagnetic field generator from said power supply after a predetermined time period.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein said control circuit closes said switch thereby disconnecting said electromagnetic field generator from said power supply when said predetermined condition no longer exists.

12. A method for deterring an animal from remaining within a protected area, said method including the steps of:

(a) dividing an external signal representing an animal into a plurality of divided signals;

(b) detecting each of said plurality of divided signals;

(c) counting said plurality of divided signals occurring within a predetermined period of time;

(d) generating an electromagnetic field generation signal after a predetermined condition exists;

(e) generating an electromagnetic field while said electromagnetic field generation signal is generated; and

(f) delivering a deterrent stimulus to the animal while the animal is within said electromagnetic field, thereby deterring the animal from remaining within the protected area.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of generating deterrent initialization signal after a predetermined condition occurs includes the step of monitoring when a predetermined number of said divided signals have been counted within said predetermined period of time.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of generating an electromagnetic field generation signal after a predetermined condition occurs includes the step of monitoring when a predetermined number of said divided signals have been counted within said predetermined period of time.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of discontinuing said electromagnetic field generation signal when said predetermined condition no longer exists.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of discontinuing said electromagnetic field generation signal at a predetermined time period.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of detecting each of said plurality of divided signals includes detecting an object having a greater than ambient temperature.