Method and apparatus to control animal behavior

• US 6,615,770 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition, LLC (ThreeSixty Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation (ThreeSixty Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Patterson, Jesse F., Parker, Andrew J., Christianson, Tristan M., McKinney, Edward C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): ABBOTT, YVONNE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US09/884,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20020189551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 119/719, 119/720, 119/721, 119/712, 119/174, 340/573.1, 340/573.2, 340/573.3, 340/384.2, 340/384.3, 340/384.4
• US Class Current: 119/719
• 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

An electronic device detects the presence of an animal such as a pet in a protected area and outputs a deterrent signal that preferably includes the voice of the pet'"'"'s owner admonishing the animal. The animal is detected by sensing at least one of sound, heat, vibration, and motion. The deterrent signal may include loud noises, and signals audible to the animal but not to humans. The deterrent signal may also include bursts of light. The device can vary the nature and quality of the deterrent signal if the animal remains near the protected area for a predetermined time.

Claims

1. A system to deter an animal from entering or remaining in an area, comprising:

at least one sensor adapted to be placed in the area for sensing the close proximity of the animal to the area;

a deterrent signal generator to receive an output from the at least one sensor, the deterrent signal generator capable of storing at least one deterrent signal selected from a group consisting of (i) a message recorded in a human voice admonishing the animal, and (ii) a sound likely to startle the animal;

a deterrent signal output transducer to receive an output from the deterrent signal generator to generate the at least one deterrent signal; and

a circuit having an input coupled with the at least one sensor and having an output coupled to the deterrent signal generator, the circuit can detect the effectiveness of the deterrent signal and can selectively cause the deterrent signal generator to output another the deterrent signal differing from the deterrent signal first generated by the deterrent signal generator;

wherein the deterrent signal generator further is capable of storing a pulse signal;

wherein the pulse signal emitted by the deterrent signal output transducer is a burst of light to startle the animal.

2. A system to deter an animal from entering or remaining in an area, comprising:

at least one sensor adapted to be placed in the area for sensing the close proximity of the animal to the area;

a deterrent signal generator to receive an output from the at least one sensor, the deterrent signal generator capable of storing at least one deterrent signal selected from a group consisting of (i) a message recorded in a human voice admonishing the animal, and (ii) a sound likely to startle the animal;

a deterrent signal output transducer to receive an output from the deterrent signal generator to generate the at least one deterrent signal; and

a circuit having an input coupled with the at least one sensor and having an output coupled to the deterrent signal generator, the circuit can detect the effectiveness of the deterrent signal and can selectively cause the deterrent signal generator to output another the deterrent signal differing from the deterrent signal first generated by the deterrent signal generator;

wherein the sensor detects infrared emitted by the animal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensor is a passive infrared sensor.

4. A system to deter an animal from entering or remaining in an area, comprising:

at least one sensor adapted to be placed in the area for sensing the close proximity of the animal to the area;

a deterrent signal generator to receive an output from the at least one sensor, the deterrent signal generator capable of storing at least one deterrent signal selected from a group consisting of (i) a message recorded in a human voice admonishing the animal, and (ii) a sound likely to startle the animal;

a deterrent signal output transducer to receive an output from the deterrent signal generator to generate the at least one deterrent signal; and

a circuit having an input coupled with the at least one sensor and having an output coupled to the deterrent signal generator, the circuit can detect the effectiveness of the deterrent signal and can selectively cause the deterrent signal generator to output another the deterrent signal differing from the deterrent signal first generated by the deterrent signal generator;

wherein the sensor includes a sound transducer to detect sound caused by the animal.

5. A system to deter an animal from remaining in an area, comprising:

at least one sensor assembly adapted to sense vibration in the area caused by an animal, including;

a first container holding at least one BB object within;

a second container disposed at an angle relative to the first container, holding at least one BB object within; and

a sound transducer disposed to detect motion of the BB object in either the first or second container;

a deterrent signal generator to receive an output from the sensor assembly, the deterrent signal generator capable of storing at least one deterrent signal selected from a group consisting of (i) a message recorded in a human voice admonishing said animal, and (ii) a sound likely to startle said animal; and

a deterrent signal output transducer to receive an output from the deterrent signal generator to generate the deterrent signal.

6. A system to deter an animal from remaining in an area, comprising:

at least one sensor assembly adapted for sensing vibration in the area caused by the animal, including;

a first electrical conductor having connected therewith at least one loop of electrically conductive material; and

a second electrical conductor disposed to pass through the loop, having a weight attached to one end such that a vibration of the sensor assembly produces at least intermittent electrical contact between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor;

a deterrent signal generator to receive an output from the sensor assembly, the deterrent signal generator capable of storing at least one deterrent signal selected from a group consisting of (i) a message recorded in a human voice admonishing said animal, and (ii) a sound likely to startle said animal; and

a deterrent signal output transducer to receive an output from the deterrent signal generator to generate the deterrent signal.

7. A system to deter an animal from remaining in an area, comprising:

at least one sensor assembly adapted for sensing vibration in the area caused by the animal, including;

a container holding at least one BB object within, and

a sound transducer disposed to detect motion of the BB object in the container;

a deterrent signal generator to receive an output from the sensor assembly, the deterrent signal generator capable of storing at least one deterrent signal selected from a group consisting of (i) a message recorded in a human voice admonishing said animal, and (ii) a sound likely to startle said animal; and

a deterrent signal output transducer to receive an output from the deterrent signal generator to generate the deterrent signal.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the container is a sphere.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the container is a cylinder.

10. A system to deter an animal from entering or remaining in an area, comprising:

at least one sensor adapted to be placed in the area for sensing the animal;

a signal generator to receive an output from the at least one sensor, wherein the signal generator is capable of storing at least one deterrent signal including a pulse signal;

a transducer to receive a deterrent signal from the signal generator to generate a deterrent; and

a circuit having an input coupled with the at least one sensor and having an output coupled with the signal generator, wherein the circuit can detect the effectiveness of a first deterrent generated from a first deterrent signal and can selectively cause the signal generator to output a second deterrent signal differing from the first deterrent signal;

wherein the pulse signal stored by the signal generator causes the transducer to emit a burst of light to startle the animal.

11. A system to deter an animal from entering or remaining in an area, comprising:

at least one sensor adapted to be placed in the area for sensing the animal, wherein the at least one sensor detects infrared emitted by the animal;

a signal generator to receive an output from the at least one sensor, wherein the signal generator is capable of storing at least one deterrent signal for output selected from a group consisting of(i) a message recorded in a human voice admonishing the animal, and (ii) a sound likely to startle the animal;

a transducer to receive a deterrent signal from the signal generator to generate a deterrent; and

a circuit having an input coupled with the at least one sensor and having an output coupled to the signal generator, wherein the circuit can detect the effectiveness of a first deterrent generated from a first deterrent signal and can selectively cause the signal generator to output a second deterrent signal differing from the first deterrent signal.

12. A system to deter an animal from entering or remaining in an area, comprising:

at least one sensor adapted to be placed in the area for sensing the animal, wherein the at least one sensor includes a sound transducer to detect sounds caused by the animal;

a signal generator to receive an output from the at least one sensor, wherein the signal generator is capable of storing at least one deterrent signal for output selected from a group consisting of (i) a message recorded in a human voice admonishing the animal, and (ii) a sound likely to startle the animal;

a transducer to receive a deterrent signal from the signal generator to generate a deterrent; and

a circuit having an input coupled with the at least one sensor and having an output coupled to the signal generator, wherein the circuit can detect the effectiveness of a first deterrent generated from a first deterrent signal and can selectively cause the signal generator to output a second deterrent signal differing from the first deterrent signal.