Gesture-based animal trainer

• US 8,451,130 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2010
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Mainini, Christopher E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US12/905,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20120092170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.3, 340/384.2, 119/712, 119/719, 119/720
• US Class Current: 340/573.3
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/021 Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883

Abstract

A gesture-based animal trainer is provided. The gesture-based animal trainer is configured to be used by a person that provides gesture commands to an animal. As used herein, the term “gesture commands” refers to gestures that are each associated with a respective animal training command, wherein a gesture is defined as a selected group of movements performed by a person. The gesture-based animal trainer detects whether the person performs a gesture command and provides a stimulus to the animal in accordance with the gesture command. Upon the animal associating the respective stimulus with the gesture command, the gesture-based animal trainer allows the animal to receive the gesture command regardless of whether the person is within the animal'"'"'s line of sight.

Claims

1. An electronic animal training device for communicating a gesture command given by a person to an animal without requiring the animal to visualize the gesture command being performed by the person, said electronic animal training apparatus comprising:

a motion sensor carried by a person, said motion sensor configured to detect selected movements corresponding to a respective gesture command associated with a respective animal training cue to command the animal to execute a particular behavior, said motion sensor generating sensor data corresponding to the selected movements;

a controller in communication with and responsive to said motion sensor, said controller adapted to analyze said sensor data, said controller generating a command signal identifying a performed gesture command after a determination that said sensor data corresponds to the respective gesture command; and

a stimulus unit in communication with said controller, said stimulus unit receiving said command signal and producing a selected stimulus to the animal identifying the performed gesture command.

2. The electronic animal training device of claim 1 wherein said stimulus unit is configured to produce an audible stimulus associated with the performed gesture command.

3. The electronic animal training device of claim 1 wherein said motion sensor includes at least one of an accelerometer, gyroscope, tilt sensor, or switch.

4. The electronic animal training device of claim 1 comprising a transmitter for communication of said command signal to said stimulus unit.

5. The electronic animal training device of claim 4 further comprising a gesture unit configured for housing said transmitter and said motion sensor and said controller.

6. The electronic animal training device of claim 5 wherein said gesture unit includes a sensor module and a transmitter module, said transmitter module receiving one of said sensor data and said command signal from said sensor module, said transmitter module communicating said command signal to said stimulus unit.

7. The electronic animal training device of claim 1 further comprising a receiver unit configured for housing said stimulus unit and said controller.

8. An electronic animal training device for communicating a gesture command given by a person to an animal without requiring the animal to visualize the gesture command being performed by the person, said electronic animal training apparatus comprising:

a gesture unit carried by a person, said gesture unit producing sensor data in response to selected movements corresponding to a respective gesture command associated with a respective animal training cue to command the animal to execute a particular behavior, said gesture unit analyzing said sensor data to determine whether said sensor data corresponds to a gesture command, said gesture unit generating a command signal identifying a performed gesture command when said sensor data corresponds to the respective gesture command; and

a receiver unit in communication with said gesture unit and responsive to said command signal, said receiver unit providing a selected stimulus to the animal based on said command signal, said selected stimulus identifying the performed gesture command.

9. The electronic animal training device of claim 8 wherein said receiver unit includes an audible stimulus unit configured to produce an audible stimulus associated with the performed gesture.

10. The electronic animal training device of claim 8 wherein said gesture unit includes at least one of an accelerometer, gyroscope, tilt sensor, or switch.

11. The electronic animal training device of claim 8 wherein said gesture unit further comprises a transmitter for communication of said command signal to said receiver unit.

12. The electronic animal training device of claim 11 wherein said gesture, unit includes a sensor module and a transmitter module, said transmitter module receiving one of said sensor data and said command signal from said sensor module, said transmitter module communicating said command signal to said receiver unit.

13. A method for training an animal with an electronic animal training device for communicating a gesture command given by a person to an animal without requiring the animal to visualize the gesture command being performed by the person, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a gesture unit carried by a person and responsive to movements of the person;

(b) performing selected movements corresponding to a respective gesture command associated with a respective animal training cue to command the animal to execute a particular behavior;

(c) providing a receiver unit carried by the animal;

(d) communicating the respective gesture command to the receiver unit; and

(e) providing a selected stimulus identifying the respective gesture command to the animal.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of performing selected movements further comprises the step of performing selected movements that define a respective gesture command while the animal visualizes said gesture command such that the animal associates said selected stimulus with said gesture command.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of performing selected movements further comprises the step of performing selected movements that define a respective gesture command while the animal is unable to visualize said gesture command such that the gesture command is communicated to the animal without visually observing said gesture command.