Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to a system for training an animal. More particularly, this invention pertains to a system for delivering a stimulus to the animal and for providing an animal handler with information critical to maintaining the health and well-being of the animal.
2. Description of the Related Art
When training an animal, such as a dog, in the hunting field, an animal handler desires the ability to deliver a stimulus to the animal and desires access to critical information relating to the ambient environment. The handler desires the ability to deliver a stimulus to the animal such that the handler can correct the animal's undesired behavior and/or reward the animal's desired behavior. The handler desires access to the critical information, such as the ambient temperature or altitude, such that the handler can monitor the animal's health. When training in the field, the handler also desired access to information relating the operation of the system used to deliver a stimulus to the animal in the event the handler does not understand or fails to remember the operating instructions of the system.
Conventional animal training systems typically include a transmitter and a receiver, the receiver being carried by the animal. For example, the receiver is secured to an animal collar and the collar is secured to the animal. The transmitter is a handheld transmitter that is carried by the animal handler. The transmitter typically includes a limited plurality of pressable buttons. For example, most conventional transmitters include one (1) to four (4) buttons. Each button corresponds to a particular signal that is generated and wirelessly transmitted by the transmitter. For example, when a first pressable button is pressed, the transmitter generates and transmits a first signal, and when a second pressable button is pressed, the transmitter generates and transmits a second signal. The transmitter and the receiver are in wireless communication such that when the transmitter transmits a signal, the receiver receives the signal and performs a pre-set corresponding function. For example, when the receiver receives the first signal, it delivers an audible stimulus to the animal, and when the receiver receives the second signal, it delivers an electrical stimulus to the animal.
Conventional animal training systems are limited in that the transmitter does not provide the handler with access to critical information relating to the ambient environment or the system itself. More specifically, the conventional transmitter merely transmits signals to the receiver. Consequently, a system having a transmitter that provides an animal handler with access to the above-discussed critical information is desired.
In accordance with the various features of the present invention there is provided a high-tech animal training system for delivering a stimulus to an animal and for providing a user with information relating to the ambient environment and to the operation of the animal training system, the information enabling the user to monitor and maintain the health and well-being of the animal. The animal training system includes a transmitter module and a receiver module. The transmitter module includes a transmitter module processor, an ambient condition detector, a transmitter module display, a memory module, a stimulus activation switch, and a transmitter, whereby the transmitter module processor is in electrical communication with the ambient condition detector, the transmitter module display, the memory module, the stimulus activation switch, and the transmitter. The ambient condition detector detects an environmental condition, such as the ambient temperature, the polarity of the earth's magnetic field, or the altitude of the transmitter module. The transmitter module processor receives the detected condition and indicates the detected condition at the transmitter module display such that the indication is perceivable by the user of the animal training device. The memory module stores data relating to, among other things, the operation of the animal training system. For example, the memory module can store the user's manual for the animal training system. Data stored at the memory module is accessible by the transmitter module processor and is presented at the transmitter module display such that the data is perceivable by the user. The stimulus activation switch is operated by the user such that the transmitter module processor generates a stimulus activation signal in response to such operation and wirelessly transmits the stimulus activation signal by way of the transmitter.
The receiver module is carried by the animal and includes a receiver, a receiver module processor, and a stimulus delivery mechanism, whereby the receiver module processor is in electrical communication with the receiver and the stimulus delivery mechanism. The receiver receives the wirelessly transmitted stimulus activation signal and transfers the signal to the receiver module processor. When the receiver module processor receives the stimulus activation signal, it activates the stimulus delivery mechanism such that the stimulus delivery mechanism delivers a stimulus to the animal.
The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
The present invention provides a high-tech animal training system for delivering a stimulus to an animal and for providing a user with information relating to the ambient environment and to the operation of the animal training system, the information enabling the user to monitor and maintain the health and well-being of the animal. The animal training system delivers a stimulus to the animal such that the user is able to correct any undesired behavior exhibited by the animal and to reward any desired behavior exhibited by the animal. Additionally, the animal training system detects at least one an ambient condition and indicates the detected condition such that the user perceives the indication and is able to take action in protecting the animal from any detrimental conditions. The animal training system is also capable of storing data relating to the operation of the system and/or storing data input by the user. One embodiment of the high-tech animal training system constructed in accordance with the various features of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10 in
The high-tech animal training system 10 includes a transmitter module 12 and a receiver module 14. The receiver module 14 is carried by the animal. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the receiver module 14 is secured to an animal collar, and the collar is secured to the animal. The transmitter module 12 is a device carried and operated by a user of the animal training system 10. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the transmitter module 12 is a handheld device. The transmitter module 12 and the receiver module 14 are in wireless communication.
The transmitter module processor 16 receives the condition signal generated by the ambient condition detector 18 and indicates the detected condition at the transmitter module display 20. The indication of the detected condition is displayed such that the indication is perceivable by the user to the extent that the user is made aware of the detected condition. The indication displayed at the transmitter module display 20 can be presented audibly and/or visually without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. The transmitter module processor 16 also receives a time signal from the clock 19. The time signal indicates the current time as kept by the clock 19. The transmitter module processor 16 presents the current time as kept by the clock 19 at the transmitter module display 20 such that the current time is perceivable by the user.
The user interface module 22 enables the user to communicate with the animal training system 10. In one embodiment, the user interface module 22 is integrated in the transmitter module display 20 as a touch-screen. In another embodiment, the user interface module 22 includes one or more buttons and/or switches operable by the user. For example, in one embodiment, the user interface module 22 enables the user to navigate menus displayed at the transmitter module display 20. In another embodiment, the user interface module 22 includes an alpha-numeric keypad that enables the user to enter data into the animal training system 10, the data being displayed at the transmitter module display 20. Additionally, in one embodiment, the user selects the mode of operation of the animal training device 10 using the user interface module 22. In one embodiment, the user selects the type of data displayed at the transmitter module display 20 using the user interface module 22. It should be noted that the user interface module 22 can include any type, number, or combination of controls operable by the user without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.
The memory module 24 stores data such that the stored data is accessible by the transmitter module processor 16. The data can be entered into memory module 24 by the user by way of the user interface module 22 or programmed into the memory module 24 at the time the animal training system 10 is manufactured. In one embodiment, the transmitter module 12 includes a computer interface in electrical communication with the transmitter module processor 16. The computer interface facilitates communication between the transmitter module 12 and a computer. In this embodiment, data can be transferred from the computer to the memory module 24 and from the memory module 24 to the computer. It should be noted that the computer interface can facilitate wired or wireless communication. The data stored at the memory module 24 can be, for example, the User's Manual for the animal training system 10 or a downloaded training video. Having resources such as these stored at the transmitter module 12 permits the user to reference the resources without having to prematurely terminate a training session in the field and to use the animal training system 10 more effectively. Data stored at the memory module 24 is accessed by the transmitter module processor 16 in response to the user interface module 22 and is displayed at the transmitter module display 20.
The stimulus activation switch 28 is a control operated by the user of the animal training system 10. The stimulus activation switch 28 can be any type of control, such as a pressable button, a biased toggle switch, or a touch-screen button of the transmitter module display 20. When the stimulus activation switch 28 is operated by the user, the transmitter module processor 16 generates a stimulus activation signal and wirelessly transmits the stimulus activation signal by way of the transmitter 26. The receiver module 14 is adapted to receive the wirelessly transmitted stimulus activation signal.
In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver module 14 includes a receiver 30, a receiver module processor 32, and a stimulus delivery mechanism 34, whereby the receiver module processor 32 is in electrical communication with the receiver 30 and the stimulus delivery mechanism 34. The receiver 30 receives the stimulus activation signal transmitted by the transmitter module 12. The receiver module processor 32 receives the stimulus activation signal from the receiver 30. When the receiver module processor 32 receives the stimulus activation signal, it activates the stimulus delivery mechanism 34 such that the stimulus delivery mechanism 34 delivers a stimulus to the animal. Stated differently, when the user operates the stimulus activation switch 28 of the transmitter module 12, the receiver module 14 delivers a stimulus to the animal. The stimulus can include any humane stimulus, such as an electric stimulus, an audible stimulus, or a vibration stimulus, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Additionally, it should be noted that the stimulus delivery mechanism 34 can be adapted to deliver more than one type of stimulus without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. For, example, the stimulus delivery mechanism 34 can be adapted to deliver both an electric stimulus and a vibration stimulus to the animal. In one embodiment, the transmitter module 12 includes a plurality of stimulus activation switches 28, each stimulus activation switch 28 corresponding to a different type of stimulus delivered by the stimulus delivery mechanism 34.
One application of the animal training system 10 is training a hunting dog in the field. In this application, the animal is the hunting dog and the user is a dog handler. Accordingly, the transmitter module 12 is carried by the handler and the receiver module 14 is carried by the dog. Considering the transmitter module 12 of
As discussed above, the animal training system 10 of
In accordance with the above-discussion, the handler is able to keep a training log of each training exhibition using the transmitter module 12. More specifically, the handler enters data relating to a training session into the transmitter module 12 by way of the user interface module 22, the data being stored at the memory module 24. For example, the handler can note specific occurrences of a particular behavior of the dog to track the progress of the dog's training. Additionally, the handler can note particular game spotted, shot, and/or bagged during the session and the time and date of such occurrences. The handler can also note the particular hunters and dogs present for each session. Additionally, the handler can note the handler's traveled path such that the handler does not become lost in the field.
From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will recognize that a high-tech animal training system for delivering a stimulus to an animal offering advantages over the prior art has been provided. The animal training system delivers a stimulus to the animal such that the user is able to correct any undesired behavior exhibited by the animal and to reward any desired behavior exhibited by the animal. Additionally, the animal training system detects at least one an ambient condition and indicates the detected condition such that the user perceives the indication and is able to take action in protecting the animal from any detrimental conditions. The animal training system is also capable of storing data relating to the operation of the system and/or storing data input by the user.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.