Pet training device

• US 6,598,563 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2002
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DT Systems
• Original Assignee: DT Systems
• Inventors: Kim, J. S., Lee, Dong Joo, Lee, Gi Hyun
• Primary Examiner(s): Poon, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Son T.
• Application Number:
  US10/207,927
• Publication Number:
  US 20030116101A1
• Time in Patent Office: 364 Days
• Field of Search: 119/712, 119/718, 119/719, 119/720, 119/856, 119/859, 119/862
• US Class Current: 119/720
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/021 Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/022 Anti-barking devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 119/905 Breaking or training method
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 119/908 Electrical animal control or handling

Abstract

A pet training device comprises a wireless command module, a wireless receiver module connected to an adjustable collar assembly. The wireless command module is used to select a stimulation mode, a stimulation duration, and a stimulation intensity level through the use of one-touch digital switches located on the wireless training device front panel. The selected functions are displayed on an LCD. Stimulation commands are transmitted to the wireless receiver module where they are demodulated into control signals that trigger a shock, a vibration, or a shock and vibration. When the wireless receiver module is placed in a no-bark mode, the wireless receiver module will generate a shock when triggered by a bark sensor. Power controllers built into both the wireless command module and wireless receiver module optimizes battery life by turning the training devices off after a period of inactivity.

Claims

1. A wireless animal behavior modification system, comprising:

a wireless receiver module formed to receive a modulated radio frequency (RF) signal, including control commands over a wireless communication link, the wireless receiver module comprising;

an RF receiver module, coupled to receive the modulated RF signal from a receiving antenna, the RF receiver module further comprising;

a high frequency amplifier, coupled to the receiving antenna, for producing an amplified modulated RF signal;

a demodulator coupled to receive the amplified modulated RF signal, the demodulator for extracting a formatted transmission message from the amplified modulated RF signal, the demodulator comprising a receiver mixer coupled to the high frequency amplifier and to a local oscillator operating at a selected radio frequency, and

a first buffer, operably coupled to receive the extracted formatted transmission message from the demodulator, the first buffer for forming the extracted formatted transmission message into a digital format;

a receiver processor module, containing logic circuitry, operably coupled to receive the formatted transmission message from the first buffer and further formed to decode the formatted transmission message into a plurality of stimulation control signals responsive to a plurality of transmitted control commands;

a receiver memory module, operably coupled to the receiver processor module, for storing the plurality of stimulation control signals and for storing a receiver processor module algorithm code; and

a plurality of stimulation modules for stimulating an animal, coupled to receive the plurality of stimulation control signals from the receiver processor module, the plurality of stimulation modules for stimulating the animal with at least one of shock, vibration or shock and vibration;

an adjustable collar assembly connected to the wireless receiver module for maintaining the wireless receiver module in close proximity to an animal, the adjustable collar assembly further containing the receiving antenna integrated into the adjustable collar assembly;

a wireless command module, for transmitting the plurality of control commands via the wireless communication link, the wireless command module further including;

at least one stimulation intensity level switch for selecting an intensity level for the wireless receiver module wherein the intensity level relates to an intensity of a behavior modification stimulant;

at least one stimulation mode switch for selecting a desired operating mode;

at least one receiver select switch for selecting a wireless receiver module;

a switch interpretation module, operably coupled to the at least one stimulation intensity level switch and to the at least one receiver select switch, the switch interpretation module for determining the selected intensity level by the at least one stimulation intensity level switch and for generating a plurality of control commands that reflect the selected intensity level and the selected receiver wherein the wireless receiver module, upon receiving the plurality of control commands, sets the intensity of the behavior modification stimulant to correspond to the selected intensity level of the wireless command module if the selected receiver select switch reflects the wireless receiver module;

a command processor module, containing logic circuitry coupled to receive the plurality of control commands from the switch interpretation module, for processing the plurality of control commands into a plurality of control signals responsive to the plurality of control commands and for processing the plurality of control signals into the formatted transmission message;

a processor memory, operably coupled to the command processor module, for storing the plurality of control commands and for storing a command processor module algorithm code; and

an RF transmitter module, operably coupled to receive the formatted transmission message from the command processor module, for up-converting the formatted transmission message into a modulated RF signal suitable for wireless communications, the RF transmitter module further comprising;

a local oscillator operating at a selected radio frequency (RF);

a mixer, operably coupled to the command processor module and to the local oscillator, for mixing the formatted transmission message from the command processor module with the selected RF in order to produce the modulated RF signal;

a filter module, operably coupled to the mixer, formed to remove signals below a lower corner frequency or above an upper corner frequency, the filter module producing a filtered RF signal; and

a high frequency amplifier, operably coupled to receive the filtered RF signal from the filter module, the high frequency amplifier for amplifying the modulated RF signal to produce an amplified and filtered RF signal to a transmitting antenna for transmission.

2. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stimulation modules further comprise a no-bark module, operably coupled to the receiver processor module, the no-bark module for detecting vocal cord vibrations and providing a bark indicator signal to the receiver processor module which then generates at least one stimulation control signal according to the stored stimulation control signals, the no-bark module further comprising:

a bark sensor for generating a small signal responsive to the vibrations;

a small signal amplifier for amplifying the small signal received from the bark sensor; and

logic circuitry, operably coupled between the small signal amplifier and the receiver processor module, for generating the bark indicator signal responsive to receiving an amplified small signal output from the small signal amplifier.

3. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 1, wherein the command processor module further comprises a plurality of one-touch switches (momentary contact switches) formed into functional groups for controlling operation of the wireless animal behavior modifications system, the plurality of one-touch switches coupled to produce outputs to the switch interpretation module.

4. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 3, wherein a first functional group comprises at least one one-touch switch formed as the receiver select switch for selecting a specific wireless receiver module from a plurality of wireless receiver modules, the at least one receiver select switch coupled to produce an address output to the switch interpretation module.

5. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 3, wherein a second functional group comprises a plurality of one-touch switches, operably coupled to the switch interpretation module, for setting a stimulation mode.

6. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of one-touch switches of the second functional group includes a first one-touch switch for setting the stimulation mode to a vibrate only mode of operation.

7. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 6 wherein the plurality of one-touch switches of the second functional group includes a second one-touch switch for setting the stimulation mode to a shock (nick) only mode of operation.

8. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of one-touch switches of the second functional group includes a third one-touch switch for setting the stimulation mode to a nick and vibrate mode of operation.

9. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of one-touch switches of the second functional group includes a fourth one-touch switch for setting the stimulation mode to an instantaneous output.

10. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 9, wherein the instantaneous output is for a preset period of time.

11. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 10, wherein the preset period of time is selectable.

12. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 11, wherein the selected period of time is approximately 0.4 seconds.

13. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of one-touch switches of the second functional group includes a fifth one-touch switch for setting the stimulation mode to a continuous output for as long as the fifth one-touch switch is pressed.

14. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 3, wherein a third functional group comprises at least one one-touch switch for setting a stimulation intensity level, the at least one one-touch switch operably coupled to the switch interpretation module.

15. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 1, wherein the wireless command module further comprises a display module, operably coupled to receive the plurality of control signals from the command processor module, the display module for generating a graphical illustration that reflects the selected intensity level and selected operating modes, the display module further comprising:

a plurality of graphical symbols for indicating the selected operating modes;

at least one transmission status symbol for temporarily indicating a transmission of data;

a battery status symbol for indicating a remaining power level; and

at least one bar graph display for indicating a selected intensity level responsive to the plurality of control commands received from the switch interpretation module via the command processor module.

16. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 15, wherein the wireless command module further comprises a power controller module, operably coupled to the command processor module, to provide a system power and perform a power management function, the power management function defining logic to place the wireless command module into a reduced power mode after a period of time has elapsed.

17. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stimulation modules, further comprises:

a vibrate module, coupled to receive at least one vibrate control signal from the plurality of stimulation control signals, further comprising;

a vibration motor, coupled to the adjustable collar assembly, for generating vibrations; and

a vibration motor driver, coupled to receive the at least one vibrate control signal, for converting the at least one vibrate control signal into a motor control signal suitable for driving the vibration motor, the motor control signal operably coupled to the vibration motor;

a shock module, coupled to receive at least one shock control signal from the plurality of stimulation control signals, the shock module further comprising;

a digital to analog converter (DAC) for converting the at least one shock control signal into a shock analog waveform responsive to the plurality of stimulation control signals received from the command processor module;

a pulse amplifier, coupled to receive the shock analog waveform, the pulse amplifier for amplifying the shock analog waveform to a predetermined level;

a high voltage transformer, coupled to receive the amplified shock analog waveform, for generating a high voltage sufficient to cause a shock; and

a least one shock electrode, coupled to receive the high voltage from the high voltage transformer, the at least one shock electrode for conducting the high voltage to the animal.

18. The wireless animal behavior modification system of claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver module further comprising:

an RF receiver module for receiving an RF signal and demodulating the RF signal into a data signal containing control commands;

a receiver processor module for generating at least one vibrate control signal and at least one shock control signal to activate at least one of a vibrate module, a shock module, or a vibrate and shock module, the receiver processor module coupled to receive a demodulated data signal from the RF receiver module and further coupled to receive a bark indicator signal;

a vibrate module for generating vibrations responsive to the at least one vibrate control signal received from the receiver processor module;

a shock module for generating a shock signal responsive to the at least one shock control signal received from the receiver processor module;

a no-bark module for detecting barking and, responsive thereto, for generating the bark indicator signal; and

a receiver power control module to provide a system power and perform a power management function, the power management function defining logic to place the wireless receiver module into a reduced power mode after a period of time has elapsed.

19. The wireless receiver module of claim 18, wherein the no-bark module detects the animal'"'"'s vocal cord vibrations and provides the bark indicator signal to the receiver processor module, wherein the receiver processor module generates at least one stimulation control signal according to the stored stimulation control signals, the no-bark module further comprising:

a bark sensor for generating a small signal responsive to the vibrations;

a small signal amplifier for amplifying the small signal received from the bark sensor; and

logic circuitry, operably coupled between the small signal amplifier and the receiver processor module, for generating the bark indicator signal responsive to receiving an amplified small signal output from the small signal amplifier.

20. The wireless receiver module of claim 18, wherein the vibrate module, coupled to receive the at least one vibrate control signal from the receiver processor module, further includes:

a vibration motor, coupled to an adjustable collar assembly, for generating vibrations; and

a vibration motor driver, coupled to receive the at least one vibrate control signal, for converting the at least one vibrate control signal into a motor control signal suitable for driving the vibration motor, the motor control signal operably coupled to the vibration motor.

21. The wireless receiver module of claim 18, wherein the shock module, coupled to receive the at least one shock control signal from the receiver processor module, the shock module further comprising:

a digital to analog converter (DAC) for converting the at least one shock control signal into a shock analog waveform;

a pulse amplifier, coupled to receive the shock analog waveform, the pulse amplifier for amplifying the shock analog waveform to a predetermined level;

a high voltage transformer, coupled to receive the amplified shock analog waveform, for generating a high voltage sufficient to cause a shock; and

a least one shock electrode, coupled to receive the high voltage from the high voltage transformer, the at least one shock electrode for conducting the high voltage to the animal.

22. The wireless receiver module of claim 18, wherein the RF receiver module further comprises:

a receiving antenna for receiving the modulated RF signal;

a high frequency amplifier, coupled to the receiving antenna, formed to amplify the received modulated RF signal;

a demodulator for extracting a formatted transmission message from the amplified modulated RF signal, the demodulator comprising a receiver mixer coupled to the high frequency amplifier and to a local oscillator operating at a selected radio frequency (RF); and

a first buffer, operably coupled to receive the extracted formatted transmission message from the demodulator, for forming the formatted transmission message into a digital data signal suitable for interpretation by the receiver processor module.

23. The wireless receiver module of claim 18, wherein the receiver processor module, containing logic circuitry, operably coupled to receive the digital data signal from the first buffer and further formed to decode the digital data signal into a plurality of stimulation control signals responsive to a plurality of transmitted control commands.

24. The wireless receiver module of claim 18 further comprising a receiver memory module, operably coupled to the receiver processor module, for storing the received plurality of stimulation control signals and for storing a receiver processor module algorithm.