Remote controlled animal training system with wireless communication system

• US 7,819,087 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2007
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Tri-Tronics Incorporated (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Crist, Timothy J., Napolez, Francisco J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PRICE JR, RICHARD THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US11/835,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20080035073A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 119/712, 119718-721, 3405731-5733
• US Class Current: 119/721
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/021 Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats

Abstract

A remote controlled animal training system includes a wireless transmitter capable of transmitting a plurality of wireless signals non-concurrently. Each wireless signal of the plurality of signals is representative of one of a plurality of predetermined stimulus levels. A wireless receiver is capable of receiving the wireless signal from the transmitter. A demodulator is in communication with the RF receiver, demodulating the wireless signal to produce a digital signal. A microprocessor is in communication with the demodulator for receiving the digital signal from the demodulator and producing a pulse signal therefrom. A first output device is in communication with the microprocessor. The first output device produces a stimulus of intensity relative to a characteristic of the pulse signal.

Claims

1. A system of producing a range of predetermined stimulus intensities for training an animal using a remote transmitter and a receiver carried on the animal, comprising:

a wireless transmitter capable of transmitting a plurality of wireless signals non-concurrently, wherein each wireless signal of the plurality of wireless signals is representative of one of a plurality of predetermined stimulus levels;

a wireless receiver capable of receiving the wireless signal from the wireless transmitter;

a demodulator in communication with the wireless receiver, wherein demodulating the wireless signal produces a digital signal;

a microprocessor in communication with the demodulator for receiving the digital signal from the demodulator and producing a pulse signal therefrom; and

a first output device in communication with the microprocessor, whereby the first output device produces a stimulus of intensity relative to a characteristic of the pulse signal, wherein said first output device includes a transformer and a Zener or TVS diode.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first output device includes at least one of a sound generator, a strobe, a vibrator and an electrical stimulus.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the demodulator is a filter and data slicer circuit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said transformer comprises a Flyback transformer and said Flyback transformer is connected in parallel with said Zener or TVS diode.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said Zener or TVS diode is connected across a primary winding of said transformer.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an encoded electro-magnetic signal generator in communication with the microprocessor and in wireless communication with the first output device.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a packet of data wireless signal transmitted from the encoded magnetic signal generator to the first output device.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the receiver is collar mounted on the animal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and receiver are RF transmitters and receivers.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the transmitter and receiver are RF/LF transmitters and receivers.

11. A method of producing a range of stimulus intensities for training an animal using a remote transmitter and a remote receiver, comprising:

selecting one of a plurality of desired stimulus levels at the transmitter;

transmitting a stimulus signal representative of the selected desired stimulus level to the receiver;

demodulating the received stimulus signal in the receiver to produce a digital signal representative of the selected stimulus level and inputting the digital signal to a microprocessor in the receiver;

operating the microprocessor to decode the digital signal to transmit a signal to a first output device, wherein said first output device includes a transformer and a Zener or TVS diode; and

providing the desired stimulus level from the first output device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said stimulus signal is an RF or EM signal.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said stimulus signal is an electro-magnetic signal.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said first output device includes at least one of a beeper, a strobe, a vibrator and an electrical stimulus.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said Zener or TVS diode is connected across a primary winding of said transformer.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the remote receiver is carried on an animal.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said transformer comprises a Flyback transformer and said Flyback transformer is connected in parallel with said Zener or TVS diode.

18. A system of producing a range of predetermined stimulus intensities for training an animal using a remote transmitter and a receiver carried on the animal, comprising:

an RF transmitter capable of transmitting one or more RF signals;

an RF receiver capable of receiving the RF signals from the RF transmitter;

a demodulator in communication with the RF receiver, wherein demodulating the RF signal produces a digital signal;

a microprocessor in communication with the demodulator for receiving the digital signal from the demodulator and producing one or both of a low frequency signal and a pulse signal therefrom;

a first output device in communication with the microprocessor, whereby the first output device produces a stimulus in response to the pulse signal, wherein said first output device includes a transformer and a Zener or TVS diode; and

a second output device in communication with the microprocessor, whereby the second output device produces a stimulus in response to the low frequency signal.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the second output device includes a sound generator and the stimulus includes at least one sound generated by the sound generator.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the RF receiver is collar mounted on the animal.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the demodulator further comprises a filter and data slicer circuit.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the low frequency signal further comprises a wireless low frequency pulse signal.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the RF transmitter is capable of transmitting a plurality of RF signals non-concurrently, wherein each RF signal of the plurality of RF signals is representative of one of a plurality of predetermined stimulus levels;

and

the output device is capable of producing a stimulus of intensity relative to a characteristic of said predetermined stimulus levels.