Wireless fencing system
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising a tetherless leash, wherein the tetherless leash comprises:
- a housing having no exposed input devices;
a processor disposed in the housing, wherein the processor;
(A) determines whether or not the tetherless leash has breached a perimeter, wherein the perimeter is defined based on geo-coordinates;
(B) determines a likelihood of perimeter breach when the processor determines that the tetherless leash has not breached the perimeter, wherein the likelihood of perimeter breach is based on;
(i) the distance of the tetherless leash to the perimeter;
(ii) the direction that the tetherless leash is heading with respect to the perimeter; and
(iii) the speed at which the tetherless leash is moving;
(C) determines whether or not to apply a stimulus via the tetherless leash based on the determined likelihood of perimeter breach;
at least one electrode that extends beyond the housing to deliver a shock to a wearer of the tetherless leash, responsive to the processor, wherein the shock is a first type of the stimulus;
a switch for inputting programming commands to the processor, wherein the switch is disposed within the housing and is not accessible by physical contact; and
a programming fixture for actuating the switch, wherein the programming is physically distinct from the tetherless leash and comprises;
(A) a body that is configured to couple to the housing to actuate the switch, wherein the body includes a recess for receiving the least one electrode and for physically shielding the electrode from contact by a user that is using the programming fixture to actuate the switch; and
(B) a programming button for actuating the switch, wherein the programming button is attached to the body, and wherein when the programming fixture is coupled to the housing, the programming button is within actuation range of the switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless fencing system comprises a tetherless leash, a programming fixture, and, optionally, a terminal. The tetherless leash, which is attached to a monitored animal, establishes a “virtual” (i.e., barrier-free) perimeter based on geo-coordinates. The tetherless leash also monitors the position and movement of an animal relative to the perimeter, and delivers warnings, corrections, and praise to the animal in accordance with its programming. The programming fixture serves as a user interface during programming operations, since there are no exposed buttons by which a user can directly program the device. The wireless fencing system does not expand the perimeter in response to perimeter breach of a monitored animal. Rather, a protocol that monitors the animal'"'"'s speed and location direction of movement relative to the perimeter and/or outbound way points is used.
55 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising a tetherless leash, wherein the tetherless leash comprises:
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a housing having no exposed input devices; a processor disposed in the housing, wherein the processor; (A) determines whether or not the tetherless leash has breached a perimeter, wherein the perimeter is defined based on geo-coordinates; (B) determines a likelihood of perimeter breach when the processor determines that the tetherless leash has not breached the perimeter, wherein the likelihood of perimeter breach is based on; (i) the distance of the tetherless leash to the perimeter; (ii) the direction that the tetherless leash is heading with respect to the perimeter; and (iii) the speed at which the tetherless leash is moving; (C) determines whether or not to apply a stimulus via the tetherless leash based on the determined likelihood of perimeter breach; at least one electrode that extends beyond the housing to deliver a shock to a wearer of the tetherless leash, responsive to the processor, wherein the shock is a first type of the stimulus; a switch for inputting programming commands to the processor, wherein the switch is disposed within the housing and is not accessible by physical contact; and a programming fixture for actuating the switch, wherein the programming is physically distinct from the tetherless leash and comprises; (A) a body that is configured to couple to the housing to actuate the switch, wherein the body includes a recess for receiving the least one electrode and for physically shielding the electrode from contact by a user that is using the programming fixture to actuate the switch; and (B) a programming button for actuating the switch, wherein the programming button is attached to the body, and wherein when the programming fixture is coupled to the housing, the programming button is within actuation range of the switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising a tetherless leash, wherein said tetherless leash comprises:
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a positioning system receiver for determining a pair of geo-coordinates that correspond to a location of the tetherless leash; a processor for defining a perimeter based on at least the pair of geo-coordinates, wherein the processor; (A) receives updates over time as to the location of the tetherless leash; (B) determines whether or not the tetherless leash has breached the perimeter; (C) determines a likelihood of perimeter breach when breach has not occurred, wherein the likelihood of perimeter breach is based on; (i) the distance of the tetherless leash to the perimeter; (ii) the direction that the tetherless leash is heading with respect to the perimeter; and (iii)the speed at which the tetherless leash is moving; a magnetically-actuated switch for causing the processor, in conjunction with the positioning system receiver, to obtain the plurality of pairs of geo-coordinates and define the perimeter, wherein the magnetically-actuated switch is disposed within a housing and is not physically accessible; at least one electrode that extends beyond the housing to deliver a first type of stimulus to a wearer of the tetherless leash; and a programming fixture for magnetically-actuating the switch, wherein the programming fixture includes; (i) a body that is configured to couple to the housing to actuate the switch, wherein the body includes a recess for receiving the least one electrode and for physically shielding the electrode from contact by a user that is using the programming fixture to actuate the switch; and (ii) a programming button for magnetically-actuating the switch, wherein the programming button is attached to the body, and wherein when the programming fixture is coupled to the housing, the programming button is within actuation range of the switch. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification