Dog behavior monitoring and training apparatus

• US 6,263,836 B1
• Filed: 11/22/1999
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jimmie N. Hollis
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Hollis
• Inventors: Hollis, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US09/444,732
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 119/712, 119/718, 119/719, 119/720, 119/721, 119/908, 119/174, 340/573.1, 340/573.3
• US Class Current: 119/712
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/021 Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats

Abstract

An apparatus and method for behavior monitoring and training for an animal, comprising a remote unit with a microprocessor, accelerometers, stimulators, and batteries. The remote unit microprocessor receives monitoring and training instructions from a host unit and signals from the accelerometers. The remote unit, when placed on an animal, produces training stimuli, including sound and/or electric shock, in response to digging and jumping. When a microphone and receiver are also employed in the remote unit, the remote unit can also produce training stimuli in response to barking and leaving a confined area.

Claims

1. An apparatus for behavior monitoring and training of a dog, comprising:

a) a remote unit with a microprocessor, said remote unit having one or more accelerometers and stimulators, and powered by one or more batteries, wherein said remote unit operates in the absence of a user independently and continuously;

b) a first program in said microprocessor to receive monitoring and training instructions from a user and signals from said accelerometer;

c) a second program in said microprocessor to produce one or more stimuli in response to said signals and training instructions when said unit is attached to the dog; and

d) said accelerometer being placed over the shoulder blade of the dog to detect digging and jumping.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, said remote unit further comprising one or more voice generators and microphones.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, said remote unit further comprising one or more light dependent resistors and light emission displays.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said light dependent resistor allows said stimulators to function only during day or night.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said stimulators include one or more electric shock circuits and loud speakers.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said microphone detects vocalization, said microprocessor receiving signals from said microphone thereby producing one or more stimuli.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, said remote unit further comprising an antenna and receiver to detect containment signals from a containment system, said microprocessor producing one or more stimuli in response to said containment signals as said animal moves towards or exits said containment system.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a power management circuit controlled by said microprocessor to provide low power consumption for said batteries.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a host unit having a microprocessor, a keyboard input, and a visual display, said remote unit docking with said host unit so that said microprocessor of said remote unit may be programmed by said microprocessor of said host unit, using said keyboard and visual display.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said host unit further comprises a power supply and a charger to charge said batteries of said remote unit.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said host unit further comprises an amplifier and an external antenna, said microprocessor of said host unit generating a containment signal transmitted by said amplifier to said external antenna, said external antenna surrounding a containment area in which said animal is to be confined.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said containment signal generated by said microprocessor in said host unit is a continuous pseudo random phase encoded sinusoidal low frequency signal which allows said remote unit to permit said animal to enter said containment area without stimuli from said stimulators.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said host unit further comprises a serial port for connection to a computer to allow for remote firmware upgrades.

14. An apparatus for behavior monitoring and training of a dog, comprising:

a) a remote unit with a microprocessor, said remote unit having one or more motion sensors and stimulators, and powered by one or more batteries, wherein said remote unit operates in the absence of a user and said motion sensor detects digging and jumping;

b) a first program in said microprocessor to receive monitoring and training instructions from a user and signals from said motion sensor;

c) a second program in said microprocessor to produce one or more stimuli in response to said signals and training instructions when said unit is attached to the dog;

d) a host unit having a microprocessor, a keyboard input, and a visual display, said remote unit docking with said host unit so that said microprocessor of said remote unit may be programmed by said microprocessor of said host unit, using said keyboard and visual display;

e) said host unit having a power supply and a charger to charge said batteries of said remote unit;

f) said host unit having an amplifier and an external antenna, said microprocessor of said host unit generating a containment signal transmitted by said amplifier to said external antenna, said external antenna surrounding a containment area in which said animal is to be confined; and

g) said containment signal generated by said microprocessor in said host unit is a continuous pseudo random phase encoded sinusoidal low frequency signal which allows said remote unit to permit said animal to enter said containment area without stimuli from said stimulators.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said motion sensor is an accelerometer.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said motion sensor is placed over the shoulder blade of said animal.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said microphone detects vocalization, said microprocessor receiving signals from said microphone thereby producing one or more stimuli.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said host unit further comprises a serial port for connection to a computer to allow for remote firmware upgrades.

19. A method for behavior monitoring and training of a dog, comprising:

a) inputting monitoring and training instructions into a microprocessor of a remote unit, said remote unit powered by one or more batteries;

b) attaching said remote unit to the dog,

c) attaching one or more accelerometers to the dog over the shoulder blade and connecting said accelerometer to said remote unit to monitor digging and jumping;

d) said accelerometer sending signals to said microprocessor in response to said digging and jumping;

f) correcting unwanted movement by said remote unit producing one or more stimuli to the dog in response to said signals; and

g) said remote unit operating in the absence of a user, independently, and continuously.

20. A method for behavior monitoring and training of a dog, comprising:

a) inputting monitoring and training instructions into a microprocessor of a remote unit, said remote unit powered by one or more batteries;

b) attaching said remote unit to the dog;

c) attaching one or more accelerometers to the dog over the shoulder blade and connecting said accelerometer to said remote unit to monitor digging and jumping;

d) said accelerometer sending signals to said microprocessor in response to said digging and jumping;

f) correcting unwanted said digging and jumping by said remote unit producing one or more stimuli to said animal in response to said signals;

g) said remote unit having one or more voice generators and microphones;

h) said remote unit having one or more light dependent resistors and light emission displays;

i) said light dependent resistor allowing said stimuli to be produced only during day or night; and

j) said stimuli including one or more electric shocks or sounds.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein said microphone detects vocalization, said microprocessor receiving signals from said microphone thereby producing one or more stimuli to prevent unwanted vocalization.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein said remote unit has an antenna and receiver to detect containment signals from a containment system, said microprocessor producing one or more stimuli in response to said containment signals as said animal moves towards or exits said containment system.

23. A method according to claim 22 having a power management circuit controlled by said microprocessor to provide low power consumption for said batteries.

27. A method according to claim 23 having a host unit, said host unit having a microprocessor, a keyboard input, and a visual display, said remote unit docking with said host unit so that said microprocessor of said remote unit may be programmed by said microprocessor of said host unit, using said keyboard and visual display.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein said host unit has a power supply and a charger to charge said batteries of said remote unit.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said host unit has an amplifier and an external antenna, said microprocessor of said host unit generating a containment signal transmitted by said amplifier to said external antenna, said external antenna surrounding a containment area in which said animal is to be confined.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein said containment signal generated by said microprocessor in said host unit is a continuous pseudo random phase encoded sinusoidal low frequency signal which allows said remote unit to permit said animal to enter said containment area without stimuli from said stimulators.

31. A method according to claim 30 wherein said remote unit operates in the absence of a user independently and continuously.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein said host unit has a serial port for connection to a computer to allow for remote firmware upgrades.

24. A method for behavior monitoring and training of a dog, comprising:

a) inputting monitoring and turning instructions into a microprocessor of a remote unit, said remote unit powered by one or more batteries;

b) attaching said remote unit to the dog;

c) attaching one or more accelerometers to the dog over the shoulder blade and connecting said accelerometer to said remote unit to monitor digging and jumping;

d) said accelerometer sending signals to said microprocessor in response to said digging and jumping;

f) correcting unwanted said digging and jumping by said remote unit producing one or more stimuli to the dog in response to said signals;

g) providing a host unit, said host unit having a microprocessor, a keyboard input, and a visual display, said remote unit docking with said host unit so that said microprocessor of said remote unit may be programmed by said microprocessor of said host unit, using said keyboard and visual display;

h) said host unit having a power supply and a charger to charge said batteries of said remote unit;

i) said host unit having an amplifier and an external antenna, said microprocessor of said host unit generating a containment signal transmitted by said amplifier to said external antenna, said external antenna surrounding a containment area in which said animal is to be confined;

j) said containment signal generated by said microprocessor in said host unit being a continuous pseudo random phase encoded sinusoidal low frequency signal which allows said remote unit to permit said animal to enter said containment area without stimuli from said stimulators; and

k) said remote unit operating in the absence of a user independently and continuously.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein said microphone detects vocalization, said microprocessor receiving signals from said microphone thereby producing one or more stimuli to prevent unwanted vocalization.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein said host unit has a serial port for connection to a computer to allow for remote firmware upgrades.