Method and apparatus for training and for constraining a subject to a specific area

• US 6,923,146 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fred Drasner, Nat Kobitz
• Original Assignee: Fred Drasner, Nat Kobitz
• Inventors: Drasner, Fred, Kobitz, Nat
• Primary Examiner(s): ABBOTT, YVONNE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US10/673,452
• Publication Number:
  US 20050066912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 119/721, 119/719, 119/720, 119/905, 119/908, 340/573.1, 340/573.2, 340/573.3, 340/573.4
• US Class Current: 119/721
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus to confine and constrain an animal or human subject to a specific area has the capability to change the borders of the restraint area remotely to maximize an area'"'"'s utility. A collar or support is placed on the subject; the collar carries an electronic module to receive and send signals and to activate a restraining or feedback mechanism. In its simplest form, the collar receives and transmits Global Positioning System (GPS) data to be matched against a preset group of boundary coordinates. The system of the present invention utilizes GPS location technology to define the boundary. When the input matches the boundary coordinates set into the receiver, an impulse is delivered to the subject or wearer. This impulse becomes increasingly severe as the wearer moves farther away from the boundary point. Upon return to the boundary location the impulse ceases and, as long as the wearer stays within the boundaries, no further impulse is imparted. Terrain of the designated area is not a factor in the operation of the system since it can be programmed for use anywhere. The coordinates of the boundaries can either be preset or remotely changed to redefine the permitted areas.

Claims

1. A method for training an animal subject when in the field, comprising the method steps of:

(a) providing a portable master controller with a display, a first telemetry transmitter/receiver, a display and a first Global Positioning System receiver, all connected to and responsive to a first CPU having a memory;

(b) providing a collar carrying a second telemetry transmitter/receiver, a second Global Positioning System receiver and an electrical feedback stimulus generator, each connected to and responsive to a second CPU having a memory;

(c) affixing said collar to a subject animal;

(d) carrying said portable master controller to a first master controller location;

(e) determining the GPS coordinates of said first master controller location;

(f) defining a first permitted area and storing the GPS coordinates corresponding to said first restraint area in said master controller memory;

(g) transmitting said GPS coordinates corresponding to said first restraint area from said master controller to said collar;

(h) storing said GPS coordinates corresponding to said first restraint area in said collar CPU memory;

(i) setting a first boundary defined by said first restraint area within which the animal subject is permitted to travel and storing said first boundary in said collar CPU memory;

(j) detecting a first collar location using the collar Global Positioning System receiver, and comparing the first collar location to said first boundary, and

(k) displaying a representation of said first collar location and said first boundary on said portable master controller display.

2. A method for training an animal subject when in the field, comprising the method steps of:

(a) providing a portable master controller with a display, a first telemetry transmitter/receiver, a display and a first Global Positioning System receiver, all connected to and responsive to a first CPU having a memory;

(b) providing a collar carrying a second telemetry transmitter/receiver, a second Global Positioning System receiver and an electrical feedback stimulus generator, each connected to and responsive to a second CPU having a memory;

(c) affixing said collar to a subject animal;

(d) carrying said portable master controller to a first master controller location;

(e) determining the GPS coordinates of said first master controller location;

(f) defining a first permitted area and storing the GPS coordinates corresponding to said first restraint area in said master controller memory;

(g) transmitting said GPS coordinates corresponding to said first restraint area from said master controller to said collar;

(h) storing said GPS coordinates corresponding to said first restraint area in said collar CPU memory;

(i) setting a first boundary defined by said first restraint area within which the animal subject is permitted to travel and storing said first boundary in said collar CPU memory;

(j) detecting a first collar location using the collar Global Positioning System receiver, and comparing the first collar location to said first boundary; and

(k) actuating the collar feedback stimulus if said first collar location is outside said first boundary; and

(l) displaying a representation that said first collar location is outside said first boundary on said portable master controller display.

3. A portable system for use in locating or training a mobile subject, comprising:

(a) a portable master controller including housing that encloses and supports a first telemetry transmitter/receiver, a display, and a first Global Positioning System receiver, all connected to and responsive to a first CPU having a memory;

(b) a wearable support carrying a second telemetry transmitter/receiver tunable to communicate with said first transmitter/receiver, a second Global Positioning System receiver and an electrical feedback stimulus generator, each connected to and responsive to a second CPU having a memory;

(c) wherein said master controller CPU is programmed to receive GPS location coordinates from said first Global Positioning System receiver, and to receive GPS location coordinates from said second Global Positioning System receiver via a channel of communication maintained between said second telemetry transmitter/receiver and said wearable first transmitter/receiver; and

(d) wherein said master controller display is programmed to display a representation of the location of said wearable support.

4. The portable system of claim 3, wherein said master controller display is programmed to display a representation of the location of said master controller.