GB2483551A

GB2483551A - Animal access system

Info

Publication number: GB2483551A
Application number: GB201115330A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Chamberlain
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-06
Filing date: 2011-09-05
Publication date: 2012-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2031-09-05
Also published as: GB2483551B; GB201115330D0; GB201014750D0

Abstract

The invention relates to an animal access system 100, for providing access to an area for an animal. The invention may be used, for example, in a domestic pet flap. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an animal access system comprising: a housing 2, 4 defining an access corridor 6 and a door 12 which is lockable in a closed position, in which the access corridor is substantially shut, and which is movable between the closed position and an open position, in which the access corridor is substantially open. The door carries an antenna 20. The animal access system also has an access controller 22, operatively coupled to the antenna and operable to receive signals from a transmitter carried by an animal, the controller being adapted to compare identity information in signals received by the antenna with identity information held by the controller and to unlock the door in response to receipt of authorised identity information.

Description

ANIMAL ACCESS SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an animal access system, for providing or preventing access to an area for an animal. The invention may be used, for example, in a domestic pet flap.

Backqçpund Animal access systems are provided to enable an animal to pass between one area and another. Typically, the access system is fitted to a wall or a door, for example to enable an animal to move from an outside area to an inside area, or to move between rooms within a building or to move between different outside areas.

Animal access systems may be provided with a surround, fixable to a wall or a door, which defines a passage for the animal to travel through, and a door or flap supported by the surround and arranged within the passage. The door or flap is movable between a shut position in which the door or flap occupies the passage, and an open position in which the animal is able to travel through the passage.

Prior Art

Some animal access systems are arranged so as to control whether an animal can pass through the animal access system between the different areas, for example by providing a locking mechanism for the door or flap. This can be useful to allow only *:** entry to a particular area or only exit from a particular area. One such system is described in the Applicant's granted UK Patent GB-B-2 381 180.

S.. **s * In some situations it is desirable to be able to allow an animal access to an area or to

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* * prevent access by an animal to an area depending upon the identity of the animal.

An example of such a situation is where a pet owner wishes to ensure that only their pet is able to come in to their house and to prevent other pets entering and stealing food or fighting with the owner's pet.

Such animal access systems generally comprise an identifier sensing mechanism, for controlling the opening of the door or flap when a permitted identifier carried by an authorised animal is detected. When an authorised animal approaches the animal access system, the identifier sensing mechanism detects the presence of a permitted identifier and the animal is allowed to pass through the animal access system.

Another example of an access system is described in US Patent Application US 200710234643 (Siegal et al).

A further example of an access system is described in Swedish Patent Application SE-A-506514 (Lennarth).

The present invention seeks to provide an alternative animal access system.

Summary of the lnventipn

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an animal access system comprising: a housing defining an access corridor; a lockable door, supported on a hinge, which when locked closes the corridor and when unlocked permits access through the corridor; a radio frequency (RF) receiver to receive signals from a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, and an access controller, operatively coupled to the radio frequency (RF) receiver, the controller being adapted to compare identity information in response to signals received by the receiver with authorised identity information, and to unlock the door in response to receipt of *:*.* authorised identity information, characterised in that signals are received at an :,,,: antenna in the door and relayed to the radio frequency (RF) receiver via the hinge.

Ideally the antenna and an electromagnetic energiser are both provided in the door and the door is adapted to pivot in the direction of travel of an animal using the access system. *. .

It is understood that the corridor may be relatively short -that is less than 1 metre in length -and is typically of the order of the thickness of a domestic door or wall of a building in which an aperture may be formed and into which the access system is fitted.

Ideally the lockable door is suspended by a horizontal hinge. Signals received from an animal identification tag, are detected by the antenna, which is formed in or on the door, are detected and relayed to a radio frequency (RF) receiver.

Signals are ideally amplified by the RF receiver and transmitted to an access controller, where received signals are compared with stored signals to identify an authorised animal. Typically the radio frequency identification tag is either worn by the animal or implanted subcutaneously in a chip under the skin of the animal.

In a preferred embodiment the antenna is in the form of a conductor configured on the door as a coil. Alternatively the antenna is a conductor and is configured on the door as a spiral coil. Other layouts of antenna may be used, such as a dipole or mesh, depending upon the frequency and nature of the RF signal that is transmitted form the tag.

In an alternative arrangement there may be a plurality of conductive tracks formed in or on the door. These may be arranged as a single series antenna or as a plurality of antennas insulated from each other.

The antenna may be formed on one or both sides of the door.

Ideally the door is made from a material of low electro magnetic permittivity.

* **.** * RF signals received at the antenna are relayed to the radio frequency (RF) receiver via the hinge by way of a rotating connection, a flexible coaxial wire or by direct :°: electrical contacts. Suitable mounting and/or mating contacts ensure good connection from the door via the hinge to the receiver.

* Connections to/from the door may be made via one or both (if present) hinges.

Ideally the, or each, hinge is horizontally mounted and the door is slung so that it is suspended vertically and pivots in the corridor according to the direction of travel of the animal.

It is understood that two or more such doors may be fitted to the corridor, for example at either end, so that: one is fitted to an entrance and another is fitted to an exit. The doors may be configured so that as an animal passes through a first door, the first door is opened so as to pass over the back of the animal's head, neck and shoulder so that the antenna is in close proximity to a subcutaneous RF tag. In this arrangement the second door is only opened if the RF signal received from the animal as it passes the first door, indicates that the animal is an authorised animal.

Similarly access of an animal attempting to exit a building, for example after a set time, may be inhibited as it attempts to leave and an override timer prevents it from doing so.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling access to an animal access system including a mobile communication device, such as a cell phone.

Thus in a particularly preferred embodiment the access door may be used in conjunction with a timer, or other override devices, such as for example a hand held mobile device or indeed a mobile communication unit such as a cell phone, so as to enable or disable the access system.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how it may be brought into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying * drawings, in which: * ***** * S

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Figure 1 is a diagrammatical cross-sectional view of an animal access system in accordance with one embodiment; Figure 2 is a view of the animal access system shown in Figure 1, when viewed from the direction X; Figure 3 shows an alternative exemplary arrangement of a conductor on a door; and Figure 4 shows an exemplary arrangement for electrically coupling a conductor and controller.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description of P ferred Embodiments of the Invention An animal access system 100 in accordance with an embodiment is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows a diagrammatical cross-section through an animal access system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 2 is a view of the animal access system shown in Figure 1 from direction X. The animal access system 100 is to be fitted to a barrier between two areas to control access to at least one of the areas by an animal passing through the barrier.

In an exemplary embodiment the animal access system 100 is fitted as a pet flap in the wall or a door of a house to control access of pets such as cats to the house.

The animal access system 100 comprises a housing formed from a first surround 2 linked to a second surround 4 so as to form a generally tubular corridor 6.

* . In use, the tubular corridor 6 is variable and is dimensioned to extend through an * ****.

* opening formed in a door or wall of a building, the length of the tubular corridor being r' adjusted to correspond to the thickness of the door or wall. The position of an **** exemplary door 8, in which the access system is located, is shown in dashed lines in Figure 1.

The housing formed from the first surround 2 and the second surround 4 is arranged to secure the animal access system 100 to the door 8 to which the animal access system is to be mounted when in use. In some embodiments, the first surround 2 and the second surround 4 may be secured direcfly to the wall or door using screws or glue or other fixings. In some embodiments the fitting or attachment of the first surround and the second surround together to form the corridor 6 is sufficient to secure the housing to an aperture in the wall or door.

In some embodiments the first surround 2 is provided with a flange portion 2a arranged to mate with a flange portion 4a of the second surround 4 in a number of positions so as to secure the first surround and the second surround at a separation corresponding to the thickness of the wall or door 8.

The housing formed from the first surround 2 and the second surround 4 defines a corridor 6 through which an animal passes during use of the animal access system.

The dimensions of the corridor 6 may be selected by a skilled person depending on the animal for which the access system is required. Typically the animal access system may be used in a domestic setting for cats or dogs. However, embodiments may be designed for use with other animals, for example in a zoo or other captive animal setting.

Within the corridor 6 there is arranged a door 10, which is arranged to be movable between a first shut position in which the door 10 substantially fills or closes the corridor 6, and a second open position in which the door does not fill or close off the corridor 6 and an animal is free to pass through the corridor 6.

In this embodiment the door 10 is provided with a flap 12 supported on a rod 14. In * sortie embodiments the rod 12 and the flap 12 may be formed as a single integral S...

* flap. In other embodiments the door may be formed in other ways, as will be known r" by a skilled person.

* S* eSS * . * As can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, the second surround 4 is provided with door supports 16, lSto support end portions of hinge -in the form of a rod 14-to support the door 10 within the corridor 6 and to enable the rod 14 to pivot about its axis, and thus to enable the door 10 to move between open and shut positions.

A conductor 20 is provided on the flap 12 of the door 10, and is electrically coupled to a controller 22, which in the exemplary embodiment is mounted to the second surround 4. The controller 22 is also coupled to a locking mechanism 24, to control the locking of the door 10 in the shut positIon, or the release of the door 10.

In the exemplary em,bodiment the controller 22 may be implemented using a suitably programmed processor, but the controller 22 may be implemented in any other suitable way, as will be understood by a skilled person. For example the access door 10 may be operated in conjunction with a timer (not shown) or other override device, such as for example a hand held mobile device (not shown), or indeed a mobile communication unit such as a cell phone (not shown), arranged to provide an override signal or an authorise signal so as to either permanently lock or unlock the door 10, for example if an owner is delayed on a return journey and desires to allow an animal permission to leave or wishes to prevent an animal from exiting, for

example at night.

In the exemplary embodiment, the locking mechanism 24 has a solenoid 26 mounted on the second surround 4 of the housing and a magnet 28 mounted on the flap 12 of door 10. When the solenoid 26 is energised, the magnet 28 is magnetically attracted to the solenoid 26 and the door 10 is locked. When the solenoid 26 is not energised, the magnet 28 is not magnetically attracted to the solenoid 26 and the door is able to open freely. The controller 22 controls the energising of the solenoid to control the locking and unlocking of the door 10. In other embodiments different locking * mechanisms may be employed as will be apparent to a skilled person.

* ***** * In the exemplary embodiment showed in Figure 2, elements that are hidden from :" direct view are shown in dashed lines. *n..* * *

During the operation of the animal access system, the controller 22 causes an : electric current to flow in the conductor 20 on the flap 12 of the door 10. Conductor 20 may act as an antenna or a means for generating an electromagnetic field (for energising an RFID tag) or both. The electric current causes a magnetic field to be generated and this may be pulsed. An authorised animal is provided with an identification tag containing identity information. As the animal approaches the animal access system, the identification tag enters the magnetic field generated by the conductor 20, and an electric current is induced in the identification tag, causing the identification tag to transmit a signal containing at least the stored identity information.

This signal is received by the conductor 20, acting as an antenna, and is processed by the controller 22 to determine whether the received identity information matches authorised identity information of an authorised animal. If the received identity information matches authorised identity information of an authorised animal, the approaching animal is considered to be authorised and the controller unlocks the locking mechanism 24, allowing the approaching authorised animal to pass through the animal access system.

As will be apparent to a skilled person, in some embodiments the controller 22 may be arranged to allow an authorised animal access from one side of the animal access system and to prevent an authorised animal from passing through from the other side of the animal access system. Such an arrangement may be useful for example to allow a cat to come into the house at night, but not go out again until morning.

Moreover, the controller 22 may have a number of authorised animals, and may take different actions upon detection of the approach of different authorised animals.

* In embodiments of the invention a RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) tag carried by, or implanted in, an animal together with a RFID reader in the housing are used to * ** .t* * identify an approaching animal, so that it can be determined whether or not the :4 approaching animal is authorised to enter. The RFID tag may be a passive RFID : tag, or a semi-passive RFID tag, or an active RFID tag in embodiments of the invention. The RFID tag may contain a micro-chip in some embodiments.

The principles of RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) tags will be known to a skilled person, and therefore further detail of their operation and the detailed design of a suitable identification tag and RFID tag reader will be omitted for brevity.

In some embodiments, the identification tag may carried externally by an animal, for example in a collar. In some embodiments the identification tag may be inserted under the skin of the animal. In one embodiment the identification tag is an identification micro-chip tag used to identify pets or other animals, for example for veterinary purposes.

The conductor 20 may be arranged on the door 10 in many different configurations or orientations to produce a useable magnetic field, as will be apparent to a skilled person. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2 the conductor 20 is arranged in a spiral pattern, with the inner and the outer ends of the spiral being coupled to the controller 22 via the respective supports 16, 18 provided to support end portions of rod 14. The portion of the conductor from the inner end of the spiral portion of the conductor 20 to the support 16 is shown as a dashed line since it is on the reverse side of the flap 12 or is otherwise insulated from other portions of the conductor 22 that it crosses.

In other embodiments the coil 20 may be configured as a spiral coil; in alternating an up-and-down raster' type layout; a side-to-side pattern; or in a configuration having thicker tracks along edges and thinner or more tightly packed tracks in the middle of a footprint'. These cells or independent antennae may be scanned consecutively or in predefined sequences.

* In some embodiments, conductive tracks may be made as narrow as possible so as * : to enable the antenna to be as compact as possible.

* s* ee* * . ri The material and dimensions of the conductor 20 may be selected so that the current *:** is sufficiently high so as to create a useable magnetic field. ** **

:: : In addition in some embodiments layers of coils may be superimposed or

sandwiched so as enhance magnetic field effects.

In Figure 3 an alternative arrangement of the conductor 20 on the door 10 is shown in which the conductor 22 is formed in the general shape of a coil. It will be understood be a skilled person that exact circularity of the coil is not required, and other shapes may be used. The thickness of the flap may be increased in such an embodiment to accommodate multiple adjacent turns of the conductor 22. Ideally the door is made suitably thick so as to permit this.

In some embodiments, such as the arrangement shown in Figure 3, the ends of the conductor 22 are both coupled to the controller 22 via the same support 18.

In general the flap substrate supporting the conductor 20 may be selected to be made of a material that allows adjacent portions of the conductor 20 to remain electrically insulated from each other. In addition, in some embodiments the flap substrate may be selected to be made of a material having a very low permittivity, such as a synthetic plastics material. In addition, in some embodiments it may be useful for the flap to be made of a material that is sufficiently tough to withstand attempts by an animal to enter through a locked door 10.

The conductor 20 is arranged on the door 10 and is electrically coupled to the controller 22. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the coupling of the conductor 20 with the controller 22 is made via mating conductive portions at the respective ends of the rod 14 and the supports 16, 18 provided to support end portions of rod 14.

As will be apparent from a consideration of Figures 2 and 3 the electrical connection between the conductor 20 and the controller may be made at either end of the rod 14.

*.. e* * . * Any suitable arrangement may be selected to provide an electrical connection to the conductor 20. In one embodiment as shown in Figure 4 the conductor 20 is r electrically coupled to a conductive surface 14a on the end of the rod 14. At least the inner surface of the support 18 is electrically conductive and coupled to the controller 22 so that the controller is electrically coupled to the conductor 20.

In some embodiments the supports 16, 18 and door 10 are arranged so as to facilitate repair if the door should accidentally be broken, thereby proving a quick, straightforward and relatively cheap way of maintaining the access door in operative order, rather than having to replace an entire access system.

The invention has been described and explained with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be apparent to a skilled person that the invention may be implemented in many different ways within the scope of the accompanying claims.

For example, it is understood that the system may be battery or mains operated.

Likewise the system may be fitted with a device for communicating with a timer and/or a remote communication device such as a hand override device and/or a mobile telephone.

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Claims

Claims 1. Animal access system, comprising: a housing defining an access corridor; a lockable door, supported on a hinge, which when locked closes the corridor and when unlocked permits access through the corridor; a radio frequency (RF) receiver to receive signals from a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, and an access controller, operatively coupled to the radio frequency (RF) receiver, the controller being adapted to compare identity information in response to signals received by the receiver with authorised identity information, and to unlock the door in response to receipt of authorised identity information, characterised in that signals are received at an antenna in the door and relayed to the radio frequency (RF) receiver via the hinge.
2. An animal access system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an animal identification tag, the animal identification tag adapted to return a signal containing identity information in response to receipt of a signal from the access controller.
3. An animal access system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the antenna is configured on the door as a coil.
4. An animal access system as in claim 3 wherein the antenna is configured on the door as a spiral coil.S...,. * S
5. An animal access system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the * thickness of the door accommodates multiple conductive tracks of the S *S*S* * antenna.

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6. An animal access system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein adjacent conductive tracks are electrically insulated from each other.
7. An animal access system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein conductive tracks are formed on both sides of the door.
8. An animal access system as claimed in any preceding claim where the door is made from a material of low electro magnetic permittivity.
9. An animal access system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the door is provided with a first and a second electrically conductive hinge portions corresponding to and in use mating with a first and second electrically conductive hinge portions on the housing.
10.An animal access system as claimed in any of claims 1 to B wherein the door is provided with a coaxial connector at one or both hinge portions corresponding to and in use mating with a coaxial connector at the hinge portions on the housing.
i1.An animal access system has, fitted to either ends of a corridor, first and second access doors according to any of claims ito 10.
12.An animal access system according to claim ii wherein the antenna in the first access door controls access to the second access door and the antenna in the second access door controls access to the first access door.
i3.An animal access system according to claim ii or 12 wherein an override means is provided to prevent access or permit access, independent of signals received from an antenna. 0.*eS * ** ** S S* *
i4.An animal access system according to claim 13 wherein the override means is a timer.S*SSS*S * S
i5.An animal access system according to claim 13 wherein the override means is a mobile communication device.
16.An animal access system substantially as herein defined and with reference to the drawings.
17.A method of controlling access to an animal access system, according to any of claims 1 to 16, including transmitting an enable or disable signal from a mobile communication device, such as a cell phone. * SSS..... * S * SS.....S C ** *5S S S * S S. S * S S * *s