Electronic animal confinement system
DCFirst Claim
1. 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.
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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).
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. The method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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.
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3. The method of claim 2 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.
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4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
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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.
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5. The method of claim 4 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.
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6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
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monitoring the strength of the received boundary signal;
generating the shock if the received boundary signal has a signal strength above a selected level.
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7. The method of claim 6 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.
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8. The method of claim 1 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.
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9. The method of claim 1 further comprising terminating the shock after a period of time after the selected duration even though the boundary signal is still being received.
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10. The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling the boundary signal to the emitter via an isolation transformer.
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11. A method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:
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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.
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19. A method of confining an animal behind a boundary defined by a boundary signal, the method comprising:
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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 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;
coupling the shock to the animal via a conductive complaint tip;
generating a shock to the animal if the boundary signal exceeds a preselected strength irrespective of the selected duration;
terminating the shock to the animal after a period of time even though the boundary signal is still being received; and
duty-cycling the electronic circuitry on and off whereby to conserve battery power.
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Specification