GB2498257A

GB2498257A - Pet presence alert system

Info

Publication number: GB2498257A
Application number: GB1222916.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michelle Ball
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-12-19
Filing date: 2012-12-19
Publication date: 2013-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-19
Also published as: WO2014096759A1; GB2498257B; GB201222916D0

Abstract

A pet presence alert system is provided for alerting a pet owner or carer when a pet is at the door waiting to be let in. The pet presence alert system comprises a scanner (see figure 2) adapted to scan, read and recognise a radio frequency dentification device (RFID) or microchip carried by a pet animal; and a remote user alert unit (see figure 3). The scanner is adapted to relay such recognition to the remote user alert unit, and wherein the alert unit is adapted to provide a corresponding audible and/or visual alert to a user. The scanner may be mounted to an exterior door or surface of a home or building. The scanner may be preprogrammed to recognize particular microchips so as to be able to recognize particular pets. The scanner may be wirelessly linked to the remote user alert unit.

Description

A PET PRESENCE ALERT SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pet presence aJert system, more particularly but not exclusively to an alert system that identifies and alerts pet owners or carers.

Background

Many people keep pets that need to be let outside at regular intervals. Often users will leave a door or window open to allow the pet back in if this is viable, or the user will fit a dog or cat flap to allow on-demand entry.

However in some instances addition of a flap to a door may not be an option for example in a conservation area, or in some flats. It may be undesirable to make structural changes and may also compromise security.

In such situations the owner must rely on hearing or seeing their pet, or must constantly check to see if the pets are at the door as some pets may become distressed or a nuisance if left outside for long periods of time.

The present invention therefore arose to overcome the problems associated with knowing when a pet is waiting to be let in.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been flIed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: 3D Granted United States patent US 7 085 534 (BENTLEY) discloses a wireless transmitter, comprising power source; a metal case divided into two or more * electrically isolated sections by one or more electrically non-conductive gaps there between; a means disposed within said metal case for closing an electric circuit; an antenna enclosed within said metal case; a means for generating a radio frequency : 35 signal enclosed within said metal case; and an electric circuit connected to said power source, said means for closing said electric circuit, said antenna and said means for generating a radio frequency signal; wherein said means for generating a radio frequency signal is energized by said power source and a radio frequency signal is produced when said means for closing an electric circuit is moved to a position which closes said electric circuit.

Granted United States patent US 6 433 692 (KENUM) discloses an animal actuating signaling apparatus for a building having at least one room and one entranceway, said apparatus comprising: a. a hingeless, one-piece, displaceable and resilient activator, means for mounting satd activator adjacent said at least one entranceway, said activator being normally U-shaped and having an outer portion having an upper and a lower end, an inner portion having an upper and lower end, and, an intermediate portion integral with said upper end of said outer portion and said upper end of said inner portion, said intermediate portion being of the same width and thickness as said inner and outer portions, said inner portion being parallel to and spaced apart from said outer portion when said activator is in its normal U-shape condition, said outer portion being noveable to a first position under pressure by an animal due to its resiliency and automatically returnable to its normal U-shape condition responsive to release of said animal pressure, said means for mounting said activator including at east one opening in said inner portion and a threaded screw for passing through said at least one opening and into said building; b. a discrete pair of electrical contact means mounted on the facing surfaces of said inner and outer portions of said activator, said electrical contact means being disposed for contact therebetween responsive to movement of said outer portion of said activator to it said first position; c. a wiring harness including a first bifurcated end connected to respective said electrical contact means mounted on the facing surfaces of said inner and outer portions of said activator for generating a signal responsive to pressure by the animal with said signal being automatically terminated responsive to *..: release of said animal pressure, and, thus return of said outer portion of said activator to its normal U-shape condition; and d. receiver means within the building and mounted in the at least one room for receiving said signal transmitted from said activator through said wiring harness.

Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 361 735 (BROOKS) discloses an electro- :. magnetically controlled pet door comprising a door pivotally mounted in a door ° 35 aperture in a frame, an electrically controlled catch mechanism normally preventing opening of the door in at least one direction that is r&eased when the presence of a magnet carried by an animal approaching the door is sensed by a sensor comprising two or more reed switches on or in the frame connected electrically in parallel, said switches being disposed in an array extending circumferentially of said door aperture and having normally open contacts, the contacts of one or more of the switches closing in the presence of a magnet carried by an animal, wherein the pet door also includes magnetic field producing biasing means operable to increase the sensitivity of the reed switches to an animal borne magnet, said magnetic field producing biasing means comprises first and second magnets located beyond respective ends of the sensor and displaced transversely therefrom so as to produce a flux path extending along said sensor between the pole of the first magnet and the pole of the other magnet facing the sensor so that the contacts automatically open again when the presence of the magnet carried by the animal is no longer sensed by the reed switches.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a pet presence alert system comprising: a scanner adapted to scan and read and recognise radio frequency identification devices (RHO) carried by pet animals; and a remote user alert unit; in 2D which the scanner is adapted to relay such recognition to the remote user alert unit, and in which the alert unit is adapted to relay a corresponding alert to a user.

Ideally the said scanner is embodied in or carried on a surface-mounted microchip scanner, which scanner is mounted either temporarily in use or permanently to an exterior door or surface of a home or building, and the alert unit is a portable unit, wherein the scanner communicates with the unit, to trigger an alert when a recognised microchip is detected by the scanner.

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In preferred embodiments the surface-mounted microchip scanner includes and directs a sensor, which is capable of identifying pet microchips that enter within a s proximate range1 and wherein the scanner includes a power source and a control means which are housed within a casing.

55S555 :. : Typically the scanner comprises or functions with RFIO that transfers data by use of electromagnetic fields, and enabLes detection of compatible and standard issue RFIO microchips within a set range, typically up to a metre. In preferred embodiments however lesser or greater ranges may be achieved by adjustment or amendment at retail, manufacture or use, including direction orientation and/or arrangement of parts of the scanner.

in most preferred embodiments the scanner may be programmed or preprogramm to recognise particula, microchips so as to be able to identify specific pets, in use therefore for example when the scanner recognises a known pet the scanner will trigger the alert unit so as to advise the user that their pet is at the door. Said alert unit may provide an audio and/or visual alert.

In further embodiments the alert unit may be adapted or adaptable to recognise and signal a variety of pets or microchips, for example providing assigned or assignable alerts in relation to specific and/or defined microchips.

Preferably the scanner is mounted on or near a door where the pet may usually wait to be let inside In some embodiments it may be adapted to fit on a wall or window ledge. Yet further embodiments may be disposed to work from an interior Location, for example an inner shelf or on or in an interior mat.

In preferred embodiments the scanner is connected to a surface by a means of attachment wherein it may be the scanner is attached to the door by at least one suction pad so as to avoid additional fittings being added to the surface. In this way the scanner may be easily moved and/or removed or displaced when not in use.

Alternativeiy the means of afrachment may be detachable from the scanner so as to be easily removed from the scanner when not in useirequired leaving the means of ". : attachment permanently in place, and suchwjse mininhisjng tampering, damage or * theft * . In further embodiments the scanner may be attached by a screw or bolt fitting so as to minimise tampering * In yet further embodiments the scanner may be adapted to ft on or in a letterbox or other door furniture so as to avoid additional fittings being added to the door.

the scanner is a use One face of the triangterianQu!ar device, Preferably a a second face has a senso j mounted flush to nhlatera; triangle wherein in surface for example the door and be rdentjfied typ/ r Screen that is directed to the °1Gon where th cafiy the ground or area below the scanner a may Preferably the scanner flc/udes an ternal Power batteries to Power the scan9 mechanism Sour typically in the form of tYPically the casing is formed Sty (ASS) o as to be at from a 8Ynthet Plastic such as casing is formed in at least rong l'Qhtweg a acrylonitrile butadiene asy to manufacture Ideaiy the parts such as battef65 parts so that it may be Opened to add or repiace any Idealty the scanner fltludes a c Ontrol means whereby the SCan and off an Prograrn to accept particular microch er may be turned on flOIudes a Plurality of buttons or Switches in TypIj the scanner further embodiments may flClude Order to Control tn operabj;, such WireJe85 connectivity such as: scanner however rough radio waves embodiments may al/ow further as Bluetooth (Trade Mark) Ihese and Other compilation Preferably the Control features Such as time COntr inteitere With the Sc s are mounted on the trianguja,. and schedule anning face. The cont,0,8 are at so as not to orientatn and /ess likeiy to be erroneously pressed discrete in this S more In some Bnlbod rments the scanner may include a timer so that c Only at set times when the pet is OUtside so as to Consewe.0,. save ha be activated Order to achieve this saving the scann torec * * ord comg5 and going5 of pet. er They flOlude memory and pro Power. in cessing facibty * In prefed embodiment the Scanner is Wireless)y linked to the alert *". : 30 that the alert unit receives transmisseo from the SCdnflef and Preferably 1pnals unit in order range and Igna; strength wherein the a/ert unit maybe enabled to Indicate When the alert unit has been taken out of range of Wirejess linkage from the scanner

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on the * Preferably transmission are sent from the scanner whe the pet Which is scanner is identified The transmjs registered and an alert is triggered 10n is received Wirelessly by the alert uri Typically the alert unit includes a receiver to identify any transmissions at least one speaker to provide an audible alert and at least one light to provide a visual alert.

Ideally the light is a light emitting diode (LED) so as be economical.

Ideally the alert unit is powered by batteries so that it may be fuJiy portable. It is envisaged that the alert unit may also include an LED to show when the device is on and possible to indicate battery life remaining.

The alert may be audible such as an alarm or visual such as flashing lights, or in some embodiments both. Ideally the type of alert may be varied by the user and may include different alerts for different pets.

In some embodiments the alert may be continuous until the user deactivates it. In other embodiments the alert may Sound only for a predetermined period of time before stopping.

in further embodiments the alert unit may be comprised by or embodied as an indipendently provided piece of hardware with appropriate software or firmware, for example aUowing alerts to be transmitted locally and remotely to smartphones laptop or desktop computer.

Brief Descriptjo of Fiajres Figure 1 shows an isometric exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the scanner;

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* Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 1 intact; * 0$*s * * Figure 3 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the alert unit; tS.... * And

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:. Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment or Figure 1 with attachment means.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured embodiment includes the following: Black protective sensor screen 1 ABS plastic memory button 2 CoUed wire antenna 3 Antenna wiring to the printed circuit board (P08) 4 Memory button contacts 5 125 Khz long range RFID PCB, containing all information necessary to scan a microchip and alert the alert unite ABS plastic housing 7 Battery contacts, attached to a plastic extrusion which sits inside the electronics housing 8 2xM batteries 9 ABS plastic battery cap, featuring a textured grip which helps to remove the cap when the batteries need replacement, 10 ABS plastic power button, when pushed in the contacts on the back of the button connect to batteries ii To get the system running batteries need to be inserted into both the mountable fln.

* * scanner and the alert unit. Once this is done, both need to be turned on via their respective power buttons.

****** * * ** * * 0 3 Mounting the scanner is a simple process. Depending on the type of door that the scanner should be secured to, the scanner can be stuck straight on to a fiat surface, or the screw in feet can be utilised to mount it. Versions of feet that are screwed into a door could be developed for increased security The assigned ringing tone for a particular pet is Sounded by the alert unit to let a user know which of their pets is at the front door or scanner if silent made is selected then the light on top of the indoor module will light up as well as that particular pet's number When a pet wants to come in to the home, the long range scanner interrogates its microchip which relays a unique number back to the scanner If the number has been previously memorisd the scanner sends an infra-red signal to the alert unit.

Instead of Potentially standing out in the cold, the user can let the pet in to enjoy the comforts of the user's home.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above.mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention With respect to the above description then it is to be realised that the Optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention to include variations in size, materials shape form, function and manner of operation assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equjvajen relationships to those illustrated in the drawing5 and described in the specifjcatn are intended to be encompassed by the present invention *. S : Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to * 30 those skilled in the art, it is flat desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and accordingly all suitab modifications and *5**** * equivale5 may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. * * * * * . * * **