Training and behavior controlling system for canines, felines, or other animals

• US 7,634,975 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2008
• Issued: 12/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRINH T
• Application Number:
  US12/204,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20080314335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 119/712, 119/718, 119/719, 119/720, 119/721, 119/905, 119/908, 340/573.1, 340/573.2, 340/573.3
• US Class Current: 119/712
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/02 Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals A01K15/04 takes precedence; Electric shock devices circuits therefor H03K3/537; Toys specially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/021 Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 119/908 Electrical animal control or handling

Abstract

A computer-aided training and management system that uses a computer or other processor in wireless communication with an instrumented dog collar and/or optionally, one or more dog interaction devices, such as, for example, video monitors, loudspeakers, video cameras, training toys (e.g., ball, bone, moving toy, etc.), an animatronics “trainer,” a treat dispenser, a food dispensing and monitoring device, a water dispensing and monitoring device, tracking devices, a dog door, dog-monitoring doghouse, a dog-monitoring dog toilet, is described. In one embodiment, the instrumented dog collar is in two-way communication with a central computer system.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring and controlling the behavior of an animal, comprising:

sending a command from a computer system to at least one device, said at least one device configured to provide positive or negative reinforcement stimulus to said animal based on said command;

receiving said command by said at least one device and providing said positive or negative reinforcement stimulus to said animal by said at least one device based on said command;

collecting data relating to the behavior of said animal by said at least one device and sending said data to said computer system, said computer system storing a history of said data;

performing an evaluation of the level of training of the animal by said computer system based at least in part on said data and said history of said data, characteristics specific to the breed of said animal, and of a temperament of said animal; and

determining the appropriate subsequent command to send to said at least one device by said computer system based at least in part on said evaluation and adjusting a training program based on said evaluation.

2. A system for monitoring and controlling the behavior of an animal, comprising:

a computer system configured for two-way wireless communication; and

at least one device configured to communicate with said computer system, wherein said computer system sends commands to at least one device, said at least one device having an output mechanism to provide positive or negative reinforcement stimulus based on said commands, said at least one device having an input mechanism to collect data relating to the behavior of said animal, wherein said at least one device sends said data to said computer system, wherein said computer system receives said data and stores a history of said data, wherein said computer performs an evaluation of the level of training of the animal based at least in part on said data and said history of said data, characteristics specific to the breed of said animal, and of a temperament of said animal, wherein said computer system determines the appropriate subsequent command to send to said at least one device based at least in part on said evaluation.

3. A method of remotely monitoring and controlling an animal, comprising:

sending a command to a computer system from a remote control, said computer system relaying said command to at least one device, said at least one device configured to provide positive or negative reinforcement stimulus to said animal based on said command;

receiving said command by said at least one device and providing said positive or negative reinforcement stimulus to said animal by said at least one device based on said command;

collecting data relating to the behavior of said animal by said at least one device and sending said data to said computer system, said computer system storing a history of said data;

performing an evaluation of the level of training of the animal by said computer system based at least in part on said data and said history of said data, characteristics specific to the breed of said animal, and of a temperament of said animal;

generating a report based on said evaluation; and

sending said report to said remote control.

4. A system for remotely monitoring and controlling an animal, comprising:

a remote control configured for two-way wireless communication;

a computer system configured to communicate with said remote control, wherein said computer system receives commands from said remote control; and

at least one device configured to communicate with said computer system, wherein said computer system relays commands from said remote control to said at least one device, said at least one device having an output mechanism to provide positive and negative reinforcement stimulus based on said commands, said at least one device having an input mechanism to collect data relating to the behavior of said animal, wherein said at least one device sends said data to said computer system, wherein said computer system receives said data and stores a history of said data, wherein said computer system performs an evaluation of the level of training of the animal based at least in part on said data and said history of said data, characteristics specific to the breed of said animal, and of a temperament of said animal, wherein said computer system generates a report based at least in part on said evaluation and sends said report to said remote control.