CA2249038A1 - Electronic system for controlling the movement of animals - Google Patents
Electronic system for controlling the movement of animals Download PDFInfo
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- CA2249038A1 CA2249038A1 CA 2249038 CA2249038A CA2249038A1 CA 2249038 A1 CA2249038 A1 CA 2249038A1 CA 2249038 CA2249038 CA 2249038 CA 2249038 A CA2249038 A CA 2249038A CA 2249038 A1 CA2249038 A1 CA 2249038A1
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- control device
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- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 122
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 63
- 230000001953 sensory effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004224 protection Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000638 stimulation Effects 0.000 description 2
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical group [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 206010042255 Struck by lightning Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006399 behavior Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K15/00—Devices for taming animals, e.g. nose-rings or hobbles; Devices for overturning animals in general; Training or exercising equipment; Covering boxes
- A01K15/02—Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals ; Electric shock devices ; Toys specially adapted for animals
- A01K15/021—Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats
- A01K15/023—Anti-evasion devices
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
Abstract
An animal control device. A perimeter conductor defines a confinement area for an animal. A command generator generates pulses carried by the perimeter conductor for identifying a command for the animal within the perimeter. A receiving device carried by the animal includes a receiving loop magnetically coupled to the perimeter conductor. As the animal approaches the conductor the receiving conductor detects pulses from the conductor and initiates a sensory stimuli to the animal based on the polarity of detected pulses. The receiving device is capable of discriminating the position of the animal with respect to the perimeter conductor, permitting the stimuli to be changed if the animal is outside the perimeter.
Description
ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING
THE MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS
Wayne W. Chou BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to systems for confining animals to a defined perimeter. Specifically, a device for signalling commands to an animal that is attempting to leave the perimeter is disclosed.
5There are numerous systems available for confining an animal such as a dog within the boundary of a property. These devices employ a perimeter conductor which defines the area of confinement. The perimeter conductor is energized with an alternating signal which can be detected by an electronic receiver worn on the collar of the animal. The receiver detects 10a sub-broadcast signal transmitted from the perimeter conductor which is magnetically coupled to the collar. As the animal approaches the perimeter conductor, the animal receives a warning audible signal, and if the animal does not move away from the perimeter boundary, a corrective stimulus such as an electric shock is given to the animal. The more basic of these 15systems, referred to as "invisible fences" operates when the electrical signaldetected by the receiver reaches a certain threshold, representing the proximity of the animal to the perimeter conductor to generate a sequence of audible and electrical stimuli to motivate the animal to move away from the perimeter conductor.
20The foregoing systems for controlling animals have certain disadvantages. For instance, when these systems are used to confine a dog, the dog may become extremely excited as a result of seeing or chasing another animal, and will forget the fact that the system is on and otherwise crosses the perimeter. When the dog wishes to return home, however, the system may continue to generate an audible and electrical stimuli, discouraging the dog from recrossing the perimeter conductor and returning home.
The systems also utilize a buried perimeter conductor, which is 5 extremely susceptible to lightning strikes. While there are various protections available for the systems in the event of a lightning strike, they tend to be costly and require extensive repairs following a lightning strike.
The previous systems are also not individually tailored to a particular animal. Thus, in the instance where a poodle and a larger dog, such as a 10 German shepherd are confined in the same perimeter, the stimulus applied to each must not be the same. The amount of stimulus for one animal is, in all likelihood, much different for another; however, the prior art systems do not readily distinguish between different sized animals.
The present invention has been derived to avoid these shortcomings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an electronic confinement system for animals.
It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a system for electronically confining an animal which distinguishes between an animal's 20 position inside or outside of a perimeter.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a system which is capable of signaling commands to a particular animal confined within a perimeter.
These and other objects of the invention are provided by a receiving 25 device worn by an animal which is magnetically coupled to a perimeter conductor. The receiving device determines from pulses emitted by the perimeter conductor the position of the animal with respect to the perimeter conductor and provides sensory commands to the animal discouraging the animal from leaving the perimeter.
Depending on which side of the perimeter conductor the animal is positioned, results in one of two pulse polarities being detected by the receiving device. In the event that the detected polarity indicates that the animal is within the perimeter, approaching the perimeter conductor, a sensory stimulus is sent to the animal to discourage the animal from continuing its approach to the perimeter conductor.
In the event that the animal has crossed the perimeter, as determined from a detection of the polarity of the pulses coupled from the perimeter conductor, the system may either inhibit the further generation of any sensory commands, or generate a sensory command which is conducive to encouraging the animal to return to the perimeter.
In a first embodiment of the invention, the pulses applied to the perimeter conductor may be coded to provide a frame of control data for a particular animal, based on the animal's size and other pertinent criteria.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a command generator provides pulses of a single polarity, transformer coupled to a perimeter conductor. The transformer includes at least one winding and a set of voltage limiting elements to limit the magnitude of voltage on the transformer in the event of a lightning strike. The transformer coupling provides for protection against lightning strikes so that a minimal amount of damage may be incurred by the system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1A illustrates a first embodiment of the invention for controlling movement of animals within a perimeter;
Figure 1B illustrates the relationship between the current flowing in the perimeter conductor 10 and a voltage induced in a loop positioned inside and outside the perimeter;
Figure 2 illustrates a receiving device worn by the animal for detecting 5 control pulses received from the perimeter conductor 10;
Figure 3 illustrates a digital embodiment of a device worn by the animal for detecting control pulses transmitted over the perimeter conductor 10;
Figure 4 illustrates the pulse pattern produced from the perimeter 10 conductor 10 for controlling the animal;
Figure 5 illustrates an alternative current drive circuit for the perimeter conductor 10; and Figure 6 illustrates a transformer arrangement for protecting the command generator 11 from lightning strikes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to Figure 1A, a system is shown for confining animals.
A perimeter conductor 10 is connected to a command generator 11 which produces command pulses of the same polarity comprising a current I
through the perimeter conductor 10. Command generator 11 comprises a 20 personal computer 14 connected to a monitor 15. Using the personal computer 14, a sequence of pulses may be generated which are detected by an animal wearing a receiver 19 having a loop 12. The generated pulses from the computer 14 may be similar to an RS232 format, wherein pulses are sent in code groups. Driver circuit 16 supplies the pulses to a 25 transformer 17 having a secondary connected to both ends of the perimeter conductor 10. Transformer 17 has a magnetic core which is preferably grounded to limit the exposure of the command generator 11 to lightning strikes on the perimeter conductor 10.
The system in accordance with Figure 1A employs a receiver 19 which decodes pulses magnetically coupled from the perimeter conductor 10 to the loop 12 worn by the animal. The receptor 19 decodes the pulses and applies a sensory stimuli to the animal, which may be in the form of an electric shock or an audio recording of the owner's voice. As the animal approaches the conductor 10, in the area 12a inside the perimeter the coded pulses in receiver 19 generate the sensory stimuli for modifying the animal's behavior. If the animal does cross the perimeter 10, it is desirable to encourage him to return to within the perimeter 10. Therefore, the system must not apply the stimulus to the animal when it is located outside the perimeter as indicated at 12b.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 B
illustrates how current pulses I are coupled to the loop 12 in a polarity depending on which side of the perimeter conductor 10 the animal is located. The voltage V12a presents the voltage across the loop 12 when the animal is within the perimeter 10, and V12b represents the voltage induced in the loop 12 when the animal is on the outside of the perimeter 10. The receiving device can be configured to generate different commands depending on the polarity of detected pulses, therefore encouraging the animal to return within the perimeter when he is outside and discouraging leaving the perimeter when he is on the inside of the perimeter.
The system permits different coding groups of pulses to be generated, representing commands for different animals contained within the perimeter.
Thus, the receiver worn by a poodle and the receiver worn by a German shepherd contained within the same perimeter 10 may respond to a different set of code pulses sent by the command generator 11 to control the individual animal. The receiver circuit associated with the animal will ignore pulses, other than the ones which are coded for it.
A receiver which can be worn by the animal is schematically illustrated 5 in Figure 2. The loop 12 is connected via first an second ends to a high gain amplifier 21. Pulses produced from the amplifier 21 are limited, in limiter 22 to provide a sequence of pulses bearing coded information. An integrator comprising resistor 23 and capacitor 24 integrates the train of pulses which are then applied to a comparator 26. Comparator 26 has a 10 reference voltage input set by voltage divider 28. The averaged pulses can define any particular action to be taken on the animal. The decoder 29 determines from the averaged pulse train whether or not an audio stimulus is to be generated by transducer 30 or an electric stimulus generated by transducer 31. The foregoing is exemplary only for one type of receiving 15 device which can be used to receive, decode and apply the appropriate stimulus to the animal in response to receipt of the various pulses.
Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown another receiving device which may be worn by the animal for decoding pulses and applying a stimuli to the animal. As in the previous embodiment, the signal from loop 12 is 20 amplified by amplifier 21, and then limited by a limiter circuit 22. The limited pulses are received on an interrupt input of a microprocessor 34 having a clock 32.. The microprocessor can be programmed to sample the input pulse width, and duty cycle shown in Figure 4. The pulses can be decoded and discriminated to identify a particular animal, as well as identify the 25 particular stimulus to be applied to the animal as he approaches the perimeter conductor 10. Transducers 30 and 31 respond to the data from the l/O port which is converted by D/A 35 to an analog voltage to generate the appropriate stimulus.
The foregoing receiving devices are operated such that as long as the animal maintains a distance from the perimeter conductor 10, no pulses are detected having an amplitude sufficient to generate a stimulus. However, as the animal approaches the perimeter conductor 10, pulses are 5 magnetically coupled from the perimeter 10 to the loop 12 which have a sufficient magnitude to generate a stimulus.
The digital nature of the system, particular of Figure 3, permits a specific instruction set to be created, stored in memory 33 of microprocessor 34 for controlling other functions. The added functionality 10 may be used to control, for example, the intensity of the correction, to turnon and off the correction stimuli, and to allow only audio stimulation rather than electric stimulation. Computer 14 may easily be programmed to permit a change in any one of these functions by programming of the devices worn by the animal without any special or additional equipment.
The memory 33 may store an individual serial number, and functions which are unique to that particular serial number. Thus, individual animals can be assigned a specific serial number and the corrective measures for that animal can be stored as a code in memory at a specific address, which is retrieved when that address is detected in the coded pulse train. Groups 20 of codes may be multiplexed for each animal to exercise independent control over more than one animal within the perimeter. When an electric stimulus is used, the commands may be decoded for a specific animal to make the stimulus have varying degrees of severity, from mild to moderate.
Figure 4 illustrates the pulse train which may be transmitted over the 25 perimeter conductor 10. In a typical sub-broadcast frequency installation, the period between ones and zeros could be in the range of 100 microseconds, and the emission data bursts Groups I and ll may be separated in the order of 10 milliseconds. This permits time for time multiplexing individual commands for individual animals. The format may be set up in accordance with a standard serial data format, such as RS-232 protocol, with starVstop bits as well as a parity bit.
Various functionalities which may be implemented using the foregoing 5 coded system include applying a system ID as well as an animal ID in the pulse train carried by perimeter conductor 10. In this way, the animal can only be confined in a specific system.
Command pulses generated from the perimeter conductor 10 turn on either the audio stimulus only, or various voice stimuli. In this way, the 10 animal is within the perimeter and approaching the conductor 10, the stimulus could say "NO", "NO", "NO, FIDO" to urge the animal to remain within the perimeter. However, when the animal leaves the perimeter, and attempts to return, the same pulse pattern is received by the receiver 19 as the complement (i.e. polarity reversed) and an encouraging stimulus such 15 as "Good Boy" may be generated to encourage the animal to cross over back into the perimeter. The system is position sensitive with respect to the animal beirlg on one or the other side of the perimeter making different command sets possible.
The foregoing system is directed to keeping an animal within a 20 confined area. However, by reversing the direction of current flowing in the perimeter conductor 10, it is possible to provide a system which excludes an animal from the perimeter. In this situation, the voltages induced across the loop 12 will be reversed, i.e., when the loop 12 is outside the perimeter the pulses are positive, and when the loop 12 is inside the perimeter the 25 pulses are negative. Thus the animal will be urged to remain outside the perimeter.
Further improvement of the system of Figure 1 makes it possible to reduce the power requirements for driver 16 by recognizing that the essence of pulse width can be transmitted as transitions of rising and falling edges.
Thus, instead of detecting a full pulse width, but merely detecting the rising and falling edges of the pulse, the power drive for the conductor may be reduced.
Referring now to Figure 5, the driver circuit is shown comprising a complementary pair of transistors 40 and 41 used to provide pulses from driver circuit 16 and transformer 17 to the perimeter conductor 10. The capacitor 43 carries only the rising and falling edges of the current pulses, and a resistance element 44 provides some current limiting of current surges produced from the initial rise and fall of the pulses. An inductor 42 is shown which operates as a radio frequency choke to inhibit any interference which may be generated from higher order harmonic of the pulses.
A further object of the invention is to limit the effects of lightning strikes on the typically buried perimeter conductor 10. A circuit is shown in Figure 6 for transformer of circuit 17 which employs an iron core transformer 50, having first and second windings 51 and 52. The windings 51 and 52 are terminated on each side by voltage limiting varistors 56 and 57, 59 60 and 61. The varistors in combination with a current limiting resistor 63 inductor 63 reduce the amount of current which is fed back to the command generator circuitry in the event of a lightning strike. The core 50 of the transformer is also connected to the earth so that voltages from a lightning strike is shunted away from the command generating circuitry.
Thus, there has been described with respect to several embodiments, an improved animal control system.
The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes the present invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only the preferred embodiments of the invention, but as aforementioned, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed 5 herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular 10 applications or uses of the invention. Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Also, it is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments.
THE MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS
Wayne W. Chou BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to systems for confining animals to a defined perimeter. Specifically, a device for signalling commands to an animal that is attempting to leave the perimeter is disclosed.
5There are numerous systems available for confining an animal such as a dog within the boundary of a property. These devices employ a perimeter conductor which defines the area of confinement. The perimeter conductor is energized with an alternating signal which can be detected by an electronic receiver worn on the collar of the animal. The receiver detects 10a sub-broadcast signal transmitted from the perimeter conductor which is magnetically coupled to the collar. As the animal approaches the perimeter conductor, the animal receives a warning audible signal, and if the animal does not move away from the perimeter boundary, a corrective stimulus such as an electric shock is given to the animal. The more basic of these 15systems, referred to as "invisible fences" operates when the electrical signaldetected by the receiver reaches a certain threshold, representing the proximity of the animal to the perimeter conductor to generate a sequence of audible and electrical stimuli to motivate the animal to move away from the perimeter conductor.
20The foregoing systems for controlling animals have certain disadvantages. For instance, when these systems are used to confine a dog, the dog may become extremely excited as a result of seeing or chasing another animal, and will forget the fact that the system is on and otherwise crosses the perimeter. When the dog wishes to return home, however, the system may continue to generate an audible and electrical stimuli, discouraging the dog from recrossing the perimeter conductor and returning home.
The systems also utilize a buried perimeter conductor, which is 5 extremely susceptible to lightning strikes. While there are various protections available for the systems in the event of a lightning strike, they tend to be costly and require extensive repairs following a lightning strike.
The previous systems are also not individually tailored to a particular animal. Thus, in the instance where a poodle and a larger dog, such as a 10 German shepherd are confined in the same perimeter, the stimulus applied to each must not be the same. The amount of stimulus for one animal is, in all likelihood, much different for another; however, the prior art systems do not readily distinguish between different sized animals.
The present invention has been derived to avoid these shortcomings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an electronic confinement system for animals.
It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a system for electronically confining an animal which distinguishes between an animal's 20 position inside or outside of a perimeter.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a system which is capable of signaling commands to a particular animal confined within a perimeter.
These and other objects of the invention are provided by a receiving 25 device worn by an animal which is magnetically coupled to a perimeter conductor. The receiving device determines from pulses emitted by the perimeter conductor the position of the animal with respect to the perimeter conductor and provides sensory commands to the animal discouraging the animal from leaving the perimeter.
Depending on which side of the perimeter conductor the animal is positioned, results in one of two pulse polarities being detected by the receiving device. In the event that the detected polarity indicates that the animal is within the perimeter, approaching the perimeter conductor, a sensory stimulus is sent to the animal to discourage the animal from continuing its approach to the perimeter conductor.
In the event that the animal has crossed the perimeter, as determined from a detection of the polarity of the pulses coupled from the perimeter conductor, the system may either inhibit the further generation of any sensory commands, or generate a sensory command which is conducive to encouraging the animal to return to the perimeter.
In a first embodiment of the invention, the pulses applied to the perimeter conductor may be coded to provide a frame of control data for a particular animal, based on the animal's size and other pertinent criteria.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a command generator provides pulses of a single polarity, transformer coupled to a perimeter conductor. The transformer includes at least one winding and a set of voltage limiting elements to limit the magnitude of voltage on the transformer in the event of a lightning strike. The transformer coupling provides for protection against lightning strikes so that a minimal amount of damage may be incurred by the system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1A illustrates a first embodiment of the invention for controlling movement of animals within a perimeter;
Figure 1B illustrates the relationship between the current flowing in the perimeter conductor 10 and a voltage induced in a loop positioned inside and outside the perimeter;
Figure 2 illustrates a receiving device worn by the animal for detecting 5 control pulses received from the perimeter conductor 10;
Figure 3 illustrates a digital embodiment of a device worn by the animal for detecting control pulses transmitted over the perimeter conductor 10;
Figure 4 illustrates the pulse pattern produced from the perimeter 10 conductor 10 for controlling the animal;
Figure 5 illustrates an alternative current drive circuit for the perimeter conductor 10; and Figure 6 illustrates a transformer arrangement for protecting the command generator 11 from lightning strikes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to Figure 1A, a system is shown for confining animals.
A perimeter conductor 10 is connected to a command generator 11 which produces command pulses of the same polarity comprising a current I
through the perimeter conductor 10. Command generator 11 comprises a 20 personal computer 14 connected to a monitor 15. Using the personal computer 14, a sequence of pulses may be generated which are detected by an animal wearing a receiver 19 having a loop 12. The generated pulses from the computer 14 may be similar to an RS232 format, wherein pulses are sent in code groups. Driver circuit 16 supplies the pulses to a 25 transformer 17 having a secondary connected to both ends of the perimeter conductor 10. Transformer 17 has a magnetic core which is preferably grounded to limit the exposure of the command generator 11 to lightning strikes on the perimeter conductor 10.
The system in accordance with Figure 1A employs a receiver 19 which decodes pulses magnetically coupled from the perimeter conductor 10 to the loop 12 worn by the animal. The receptor 19 decodes the pulses and applies a sensory stimuli to the animal, which may be in the form of an electric shock or an audio recording of the owner's voice. As the animal approaches the conductor 10, in the area 12a inside the perimeter the coded pulses in receiver 19 generate the sensory stimuli for modifying the animal's behavior. If the animal does cross the perimeter 10, it is desirable to encourage him to return to within the perimeter 10. Therefore, the system must not apply the stimulus to the animal when it is located outside the perimeter as indicated at 12b.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 B
illustrates how current pulses I are coupled to the loop 12 in a polarity depending on which side of the perimeter conductor 10 the animal is located. The voltage V12a presents the voltage across the loop 12 when the animal is within the perimeter 10, and V12b represents the voltage induced in the loop 12 when the animal is on the outside of the perimeter 10. The receiving device can be configured to generate different commands depending on the polarity of detected pulses, therefore encouraging the animal to return within the perimeter when he is outside and discouraging leaving the perimeter when he is on the inside of the perimeter.
The system permits different coding groups of pulses to be generated, representing commands for different animals contained within the perimeter.
Thus, the receiver worn by a poodle and the receiver worn by a German shepherd contained within the same perimeter 10 may respond to a different set of code pulses sent by the command generator 11 to control the individual animal. The receiver circuit associated with the animal will ignore pulses, other than the ones which are coded for it.
A receiver which can be worn by the animal is schematically illustrated 5 in Figure 2. The loop 12 is connected via first an second ends to a high gain amplifier 21. Pulses produced from the amplifier 21 are limited, in limiter 22 to provide a sequence of pulses bearing coded information. An integrator comprising resistor 23 and capacitor 24 integrates the train of pulses which are then applied to a comparator 26. Comparator 26 has a 10 reference voltage input set by voltage divider 28. The averaged pulses can define any particular action to be taken on the animal. The decoder 29 determines from the averaged pulse train whether or not an audio stimulus is to be generated by transducer 30 or an electric stimulus generated by transducer 31. The foregoing is exemplary only for one type of receiving 15 device which can be used to receive, decode and apply the appropriate stimulus to the animal in response to receipt of the various pulses.
Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown another receiving device which may be worn by the animal for decoding pulses and applying a stimuli to the animal. As in the previous embodiment, the signal from loop 12 is 20 amplified by amplifier 21, and then limited by a limiter circuit 22. The limited pulses are received on an interrupt input of a microprocessor 34 having a clock 32.. The microprocessor can be programmed to sample the input pulse width, and duty cycle shown in Figure 4. The pulses can be decoded and discriminated to identify a particular animal, as well as identify the 25 particular stimulus to be applied to the animal as he approaches the perimeter conductor 10. Transducers 30 and 31 respond to the data from the l/O port which is converted by D/A 35 to an analog voltage to generate the appropriate stimulus.
The foregoing receiving devices are operated such that as long as the animal maintains a distance from the perimeter conductor 10, no pulses are detected having an amplitude sufficient to generate a stimulus. However, as the animal approaches the perimeter conductor 10, pulses are 5 magnetically coupled from the perimeter 10 to the loop 12 which have a sufficient magnitude to generate a stimulus.
The digital nature of the system, particular of Figure 3, permits a specific instruction set to be created, stored in memory 33 of microprocessor 34 for controlling other functions. The added functionality 10 may be used to control, for example, the intensity of the correction, to turnon and off the correction stimuli, and to allow only audio stimulation rather than electric stimulation. Computer 14 may easily be programmed to permit a change in any one of these functions by programming of the devices worn by the animal without any special or additional equipment.
The memory 33 may store an individual serial number, and functions which are unique to that particular serial number. Thus, individual animals can be assigned a specific serial number and the corrective measures for that animal can be stored as a code in memory at a specific address, which is retrieved when that address is detected in the coded pulse train. Groups 20 of codes may be multiplexed for each animal to exercise independent control over more than one animal within the perimeter. When an electric stimulus is used, the commands may be decoded for a specific animal to make the stimulus have varying degrees of severity, from mild to moderate.
Figure 4 illustrates the pulse train which may be transmitted over the 25 perimeter conductor 10. In a typical sub-broadcast frequency installation, the period between ones and zeros could be in the range of 100 microseconds, and the emission data bursts Groups I and ll may be separated in the order of 10 milliseconds. This permits time for time multiplexing individual commands for individual animals. The format may be set up in accordance with a standard serial data format, such as RS-232 protocol, with starVstop bits as well as a parity bit.
Various functionalities which may be implemented using the foregoing 5 coded system include applying a system ID as well as an animal ID in the pulse train carried by perimeter conductor 10. In this way, the animal can only be confined in a specific system.
Command pulses generated from the perimeter conductor 10 turn on either the audio stimulus only, or various voice stimuli. In this way, the 10 animal is within the perimeter and approaching the conductor 10, the stimulus could say "NO", "NO", "NO, FIDO" to urge the animal to remain within the perimeter. However, when the animal leaves the perimeter, and attempts to return, the same pulse pattern is received by the receiver 19 as the complement (i.e. polarity reversed) and an encouraging stimulus such 15 as "Good Boy" may be generated to encourage the animal to cross over back into the perimeter. The system is position sensitive with respect to the animal beirlg on one or the other side of the perimeter making different command sets possible.
The foregoing system is directed to keeping an animal within a 20 confined area. However, by reversing the direction of current flowing in the perimeter conductor 10, it is possible to provide a system which excludes an animal from the perimeter. In this situation, the voltages induced across the loop 12 will be reversed, i.e., when the loop 12 is outside the perimeter the pulses are positive, and when the loop 12 is inside the perimeter the 25 pulses are negative. Thus the animal will be urged to remain outside the perimeter.
Further improvement of the system of Figure 1 makes it possible to reduce the power requirements for driver 16 by recognizing that the essence of pulse width can be transmitted as transitions of rising and falling edges.
Thus, instead of detecting a full pulse width, but merely detecting the rising and falling edges of the pulse, the power drive for the conductor may be reduced.
Referring now to Figure 5, the driver circuit is shown comprising a complementary pair of transistors 40 and 41 used to provide pulses from driver circuit 16 and transformer 17 to the perimeter conductor 10. The capacitor 43 carries only the rising and falling edges of the current pulses, and a resistance element 44 provides some current limiting of current surges produced from the initial rise and fall of the pulses. An inductor 42 is shown which operates as a radio frequency choke to inhibit any interference which may be generated from higher order harmonic of the pulses.
A further object of the invention is to limit the effects of lightning strikes on the typically buried perimeter conductor 10. A circuit is shown in Figure 6 for transformer of circuit 17 which employs an iron core transformer 50, having first and second windings 51 and 52. The windings 51 and 52 are terminated on each side by voltage limiting varistors 56 and 57, 59 60 and 61. The varistors in combination with a current limiting resistor 63 inductor 63 reduce the amount of current which is fed back to the command generator circuitry in the event of a lightning strike. The core 50 of the transformer is also connected to the earth so that voltages from a lightning strike is shunted away from the command generating circuitry.
Thus, there has been described with respect to several embodiments, an improved animal control system.
The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes the present invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only the preferred embodiments of the invention, but as aforementioned, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed 5 herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular 10 applications or uses of the invention. Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Also, it is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments.
Claims (20)
1. An animal control device comprising:
coupling means for receiving command pulses from a perimeter conductor;
receiving means capable of being worn by an animal for determining from said command pulses the position of said animal with respect to first and second opposite sides of said perimeter conductor; and means for applying first and second sensory commands to said animal depending on the position of said animal with respect to said perimeter conductor whereby said animal receives different sensory commands depending on whether it is on said first or second opposite side of said perimeter conductor.
coupling means for receiving command pulses from a perimeter conductor;
receiving means capable of being worn by an animal for determining from said command pulses the position of said animal with respect to first and second opposite sides of said perimeter conductor; and means for applying first and second sensory commands to said animal depending on the position of said animal with respect to said perimeter conductor whereby said animal receives different sensory commands depending on whether it is on said first or second opposite side of said perimeter conductor.
2. The animal control device according to claim 1 wherein said receiving means determines the position of said animal from the polarity of pulses received from said perimeter conductor.
3. The animal control means according to claim 1 wherein said sensory commands include a human voice command.
4. The animal control means according to claim 1 wherein said sensory commands include an electrical stimulus.
5. An animal control device comprising:
a coupling coil for magnetically coupling control pulses from a perimeter conductor;
receiver means for detecting the control pulses in said coupling coil;
a polarity detector for detecting the polarity of said pulses whereby the position of an animal with respect to said perimeter conductor is detected.
a coupling coil for magnetically coupling control pulses from a perimeter conductor;
receiver means for detecting the control pulses in said coupling coil;
a polarity detector for detecting the polarity of said pulses whereby the position of an animal with respect to said perimeter conductor is detected.
6. An animal control device according to claim 5 wherein said pulses uniquely distinguish one animal from another.
7. A system for controlling an animal comprising:
a perimeter conductor defining a confinement area for an animal;
a command generator for generating pulses of a single polarity, coupled to said perimeter conductor for identifying a command for said animals; and a receiving device capable of being carried by said animal including:
a receiving conductor which is magnetically coupled to said perimeter conductor;
a receiving means which is connected to said receiving conductor for detecting pulses received from said perimeter conductor;
means for detecting the polarity of said received pulses; and means for applying sensory stimuli to said animal based on said polarity of detected pulses.
a perimeter conductor defining a confinement area for an animal;
a command generator for generating pulses of a single polarity, coupled to said perimeter conductor for identifying a command for said animals; and a receiving device capable of being carried by said animal including:
a receiving conductor which is magnetically coupled to said perimeter conductor;
a receiving means which is connected to said receiving conductor for detecting pulses received from said perimeter conductor;
means for detecting the polarity of said received pulses; and means for applying sensory stimuli to said animal based on said polarity of detected pulses.
8. The system according to claim 7 wherein said means for applying sensory stimuli generates a human voice command.
9. The system according to claim 7 wherein said means for applying sensory stimuli generates a plurality of different sensory stimuli for said animal.
10. The system according to claim 7 wherein said command generator is coupled to said perimeter conductor by a transformer.
11. The system according to claim 10 wherein a winding of said transformer is terminated with a voltage limiter.
12. The system according to claim 7 wherein said command generator is capacitively coupled to said perimeter conductor.
13. The system according to claim 7 wherein said command generator encodes said pulses to identify the level of stimuli to be applied to said animal.
14. The system according to claim 7 wherein said command generator encodes pulses to identify said animal.
15. The animal control device of claim 5 further comprising means for applying sensory commands to an animal based on the polarity of said pulses.
16. An animal control device comprising:
a coupling member adapted to be worn by an animal electromagnetically coupled to a current carrying buried conductor separating first and second areas from another;
a detector for detecting a voltage produced by said coupling member in response to said current, said voltage identifying which of the first and second areas said coupling member is positioned; and a stimulus generator for applying a stimulus to an animal in response to the detected voltage, said stimulus generator applying a stimulus to an animal based on which of said first and second areas said coupling member is positioned.
a coupling member adapted to be worn by an animal electromagnetically coupled to a current carrying buried conductor separating first and second areas from another;
a detector for detecting a voltage produced by said coupling member in response to said current, said voltage identifying which of the first and second areas said coupling member is positioned; and a stimulus generator for applying a stimulus to an animal in response to the detected voltage, said stimulus generator applying a stimulus to an animal based on which of said first and second areas said coupling member is positioned.
17. The animal control device according to claim 16 wherein said detector comprises a processor connected to receive said voltage from said coupling member, said processor being programmed to recognize one group of pulses contained in said voltage as a position within said first area, and a second group of pulses contained in said voltage as a position within said second area.
18. The animal control device according claim 16 wherein said detector determines the polarity of pulses which comprise said voltage as an indicator of the position of said coupling member.
19. The animal control device according to claim 17 wherein said processor determines from said pulses the level of stimulus to be applied to an animal.
20. The animal control device according to claim 17 wherein said processor determines the identity of the animal from the groups of pulses, and applies a stimulus to said animal only if said identity is recognized.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US94164997A | 1997-09-30 | 1997-09-30 | |
| US08/941,649 | 1997-09-30 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2249038A1 true CA2249038A1 (en) | 1999-03-30 |
Family
ID=25476833
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2249038 Abandoned CA2249038A1 (en) | 1997-09-30 | 1998-09-29 | Electronic system for controlling the movement of animals |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2249038A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2329800B (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1887856B1 (en) | 2005-05-24 | 2017-12-27 | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation | Animal management system |
| US7697827B2 (en) | 2005-10-17 | 2010-04-13 | Konicek Jeffrey C | User-friendlier interfaces for a camera |
| US10887125B2 (en) | 2017-09-15 | 2021-01-05 | Kohler Co. | Bathroom speaker |
| US10448762B2 (en) | 2017-09-15 | 2019-10-22 | Kohler Co. | Mirror |
| US11314215B2 (en) | 2017-09-15 | 2022-04-26 | Kohler Co. | Apparatus controlling bathroom appliance lighting based on user identity |
| US11093554B2 (en) | 2017-09-15 | 2021-08-17 | Kohler Co. | Feedback for water consuming appliance |
| US11099540B2 (en) | 2017-09-15 | 2021-08-24 | Kohler Co. | User identity in household appliances |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4996945A (en) * | 1990-05-04 | 1991-03-05 | Invisible Fence Company, Inc. | Electronic animal control system with lightning arrester |
| US5794569A (en) * | 1996-10-29 | 1998-08-18 | Joint Techno Concepts International, Inc. | Apparatus and method for electronic confinement of animals |
-
1998
- 1998-09-23 GB GB9820763A patent/GB2329800B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-09-29 CA CA 2249038 patent/CA2249038A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9820763D0 (en) | 1998-11-18 |
| GB2329800B (en) | 2000-02-16 |
| GB2329800A (en) | 1999-03-31 |
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