1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a correction collar system, and, more particularly, to a device to expand the functionality of an animal correction collar.
2. Description of the Related Art
An animal behavior modification system, such as an electrical training system, no-bark collar or containment system typically includes a collar-mounted receiver worn by the animal and a wireless transmitter. The wireless transmitter may include a radio frequency transmitter having a wire loop transmitting a radio frequency signal. The wire loop antenna may define the boundary in which the animal is to be confined. The animal wears the receiving unit attached to its collar. When the animal gets within a predetermined distance of the wire loop antenna, the receiver unit detects the radio frequency signal transmitted from the loop antenna, whereupon a correcting stimulus, such as a good tone/bad tone, electrical stimulation, vibration, citronella spray, etc., is administered to the animal.
The receiver unit, which may apply an electrical stimulation to the animal, typically includes a pair of electrode probes, which extend from the receiver unit, through the collar and contact the skin of the animal. An electrical potential is applied between the electrode probes resulting in electrical current flowing through the skin of the animal to thereby apply an electrical stimulation to the animal.
Animal training systems may also include a handheld transmitter allowing an operator to interact with the animal to ensure compliance with verbal or other instructions. The system may also be self-contained such as a no-bark collar that detects behavior and applies stimulation to the animal
What is needed in the art is a method of expanding the flexibility of an animal correction system.
The present invention relates to an animal training system for translating a signal that the correction system would not normally respond to into a signal which the correction system will respond to.
One embodiment of the present invention consists of an animal training system including a translator having at least one receiver that receives a first signal and at least one transmitter coupled to the at least one receiver. The at least one transmitter transmits a second signal to the animal training system. The second signal being based on the first signal.
An advantage of the present invention is that it expands the flexibility of current animal correction collars.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it is easily connected to the collar of a present correction system.
Yet another advantage of the present system is that correction levels associated with the correction system are maintained while the control signals are modified by way of the translator.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it receives and processes/translates one type of signal, converts the signal to another type of signal and transmits the process/translated signal to an existing correction collar receiver and/or stimulator.
Still yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is a cost effective way to modify the functionality of a correction collar without any other modification to the collar.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
Translator assembly 16 includes two separate portions which are separable and are defined as first portion 18 and second portion 20. Portions 18 and 20 are separated and are connected to attach translator assembly 16 to collar 12, in a clip-on manner, when portions 18 and 20 are reassembled.
Now, additionally referring to
Contained within translator assembly 16 is a receiver 30, a transmitter 32 and a translator device 34. Receiver 30 receives a signal, which is a signal that training device 14 would not normally respond to and that signal is modified by translator device 34. The information in the signal received by receiver 30 is translated into a second signal, which is subsequently transmitted by transmitter 32. The second signal is a signal that training device 14 is responsive to. The transmission can be in the form of a wireless transmission and examples of the translation of signals are shown in the following table (which is not meant to be an inclusive list, other applications are contemplated and not contained therein):
References to ‘containment’ are referring to animal containment systems of an Invisible Fence™ type configuration. References to ‘remote receivers’ are referring to system responsive to transmitters, usually hand-held, that are activated by trainers for training dogs. References to ‘zones’ are referring to systems which warn dogs away from certain zones, which can be established by transmitters located in the zone.
Training device 14 is containment type collar, which responds to an Invisible Fence™ type configuration. Training device 14 responds to a radio frequency (RF) signal when the animal approaches the border defined by a buried transmitting wire. If translator assembly 16 includes a RF receiver then translator assembly 16 can receive a signal activated by a trainer by way of a remote control and translate the activated signal by translating it into a signal that causes the containment device to activate the stimulus, thereby converting a containment collar into one that responds to remote control.
In a like manner translator assembly 16 may include a bark sensor 30, which is an embodiment of a receiver 30 that detects audio signals. Bark sensor 30 detects the barking of the animal and causes transmitter 32 to emit a signal causing training device 14, in this example a containment collar, to provide a stimulus to the animal.
In a similar fashion a remote receiver embodiment of training device 14, also known as an RF trainer can be modified to become a containment collar.
Advantageously the present invention allows the pet owner to customize the training device to take on new rolls in a cost effective manner. This allows a trainer to modify animal training system 10 to be as responsive as necessary for the training of an animal.
Although just one translator assembly 16 has been discussed, more than one can be added to a collar 12 to provide greater functionality of training system 10. Additionally although only one function has been discussed relative to a translator assembly 16, it is also contemplated that a single translator assembly 16 may perform multiple functions, such as, receiving multiple signals, translating those signals and transmitting an appropriate signal to training device 14.
The table above gives some examples of the dual purposes that are possible utilizing a translator assembly 16. Translator assembly 16 can be easily removed, if desired, to return training device 14 to its original configuration so as to function as originally purposed.
Although not shown, translator assembly 16 contains a power source that is replaceable and can be inserted therein to power receiver 30, transmitter 32 and translator 34. Additionally, translator 34 has been described as a device, but can be implemented as an algorithm and integrated into either receiver 30 or transmitter 32. Also receiver 30 and transmitter 32 have been largely described as RF type receiver transmitters yet other mediums of communication are also contemplated such as optical, audio and mechanical.
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/620,469, entitled “CLIP-ON TRANSLATOR FOR AN ANIMAL CORRECTION COLLAR”, filed Oct. 20, 2004.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60620469 | Oct 2004 | US |