The present invention relates generally to a pet and business rating system that assists with managing the animals within a particular business according to the particular business's guidelines.
Pets are increasingly becoming more integrated into the owner's lives. Products that improve safety and comfort for pets while traveling have been developed, smart collars that track animals and alert owners if the pet is lost, pet hoteling, and even certain businesses and restaurants that encourage (or at least don't discourage) owner's from bringing their pets along with them all help to integrate a pet into an owner's life. One of the problems of establishing a pet friendly establishment is that guidelines can vary between each business and behavior of certain animals/pet can be disruptive to other patrons or pets of patrons as well as the business establishment itself.
The present application seeks to provide solutions to the above problems as well as provide solutions and advantages that will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
A system and a method for rating a pet and business and tracking the pets within a business. The disclosed technology includes a system comprising a transceiver, one or more processors in communication with the transceiver, and a memory in communication with the one or more processors. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to receive data corresponding to a pet, determine, based at least in part on the data corresponding to the pet, whether to permit the pet to enter a premises, and output a notification to a user device indicative of whether the pet is permitted to enter the premises.
The data corresponding to the pet can be received from a smart collar. The data corresponding to the pet can be automatically transmitted to the transceiver from the smart collar when the smart collar enters a geofenced area. The data corresponding to the pet can be received from a smart phone. The smart phone can be configured to transmit the data corresponding to the pet to the transceiver in response to the smart phone having scanned a quick-response (QR) code.
The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can further cause the system to determine whether the data corresponding to the pet is indicative of the pet having a rating above a predetermined threshold, and in response to determining that the rating is above the predetermined threshold, output a notification to the user device indicative of the pet being permitted to enter the premises. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can further cause the system to track a position of the pet within the premises. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can further cause the system to generate a seating assignment based at least in part on the data corresponding to the pet. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can further cause the system to output instructions to a smart collar worn by the pet to keep the pet a predetermined distance away from another pet or patron on the premises. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can further cause the system to output instructions to a smart collar worn by the pet to keep the pet within an assigned geofenced area within the premises.
The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the system to determine whether the data corresponding to the pet is indicative of the pet having a rating above a predetermined threshold, and in response to determining that the rating is below the predetermined threshold, output a notification to the user device indicative of the pet not being permitted to enter the premises.
The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can further cause the system to output one or more guidelines to a user device, the guidelines corresponding to one or more predetermined requirements corresponding to the premises.
The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can further cause the system to receive a response from the user device, the response indicative of a user having agreed to the guidelines. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can further cause the system to output a notification to the user device indicative of the pet being permitted to enter the premises.
The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can further cause the system to determine whether a predetermined capacity of pets on the premises has been met, and in response to determining that the predetermined capacity of pets on the premises has been met, output a notification to the user device indicative of the pet not being permitted to enter the premises until the predetermined capacity of pets is no longer met.
The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can further cause the system to receive data corresponding to one or more patrons present on the premises, the data corresponding to one or more patrons comprising a preference of the one or more patrons. Wherein, determining whether to permit the pet to enter the premises can be based on the preference of the one or more patrons.
The disclosed technology includes a system comprising a transceiver, one or more processors in communication with the transceiver, and a memory in communication with the one or more processors and storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, can cause the system to receive data corresponding to a pet and determine whether a predetermined capacity of pets on a premises has been met. The instructions can further cause the system to determine, based at least in part on the data corresponding to the pet and whether the predetermined capacity has been met, whether to permit the pet to enter the premises and output a notification to a user device indicative of whether the pet is permitted to enter the premises.
The predetermined capacity can be based on a type of animal and determining whether the predetermined capacity of pets on a premises has been met can comprise determining whether a predetermined capacity of a type of animal has been met.
The data corresponding to the pet can be received from a smart collar. The data corresponding to the pet can be automatically transmitted to the transceiver from the smart collar when the smart collar enters a geofenced area.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the disclosed technology, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
Contemplated herein is a pet and business rating system for communicating with potential patrons about the current status of the animals located in a business. In addition, a method for determining an appropriate seating arrangement in food service establishments is also disclosed with respect to the animals already in the food service establishment.
In some instances, patrons arrive at a pet friendly business or food establishment to find that they will be sitting near a dog, for example, which makes the patron uncomfortable or maybe they are allergic. Either way, had the patron known ahead of time, the patron and the food establishment could have planned to avoid this disastrous scenario. The pet and business rating system provides a mechanism for preplanning visits to pet friendly establishments.
In accordance with these concepts, the system 100 as contemplated can include a server and data storage 120 (e.g., a memory), determination processing 130 (e.g., one or more processors), business display 110, user interface 140 capable of receiving and transmitting signals 170, and a wireless transceiver 160 capable of receiving and transmitting signals 150, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the pet and business rating system 100 comprises a wireless transceiver 160, a user interface 140, server and data storage 120, determination processing 130, and business display 110; wherein an animal smart collar 145 transmits a signal 150 to the wireless transceiver 160 and the wireless transceiver transmits the signal 170 (e.g., over the internet, a wireless network, etc.) to the server and data storage 120. The server and data storage 120 can then communicate with the determination processing 130 and the determination processing 130 can then transmit an output to the business display 110 and/or the user interface 140. The signal 150 from the animal smart collar 145 can be any wireless signal capable of being transmitted from a smart collar 145 and received by the transceiver 160 and/or the user interface 140. For example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, GPS, etc.
In an alternate embodiment, the pet and business rating system 100 comprises a wireless transceiver 160, a user interface 140, server and data storage 120, determination processing 130, and business display 110; wherein a user scans a quick-response (QR) code with their user interface 140 (e.g., the user's smart phone) and the user interface 140 then transmits a signal over the internet 170 to the server and data storage 120 and determination processing 130. The determination processing 130 can then output a signal to the business display 110 and user interface 140.
Step 202 comprises of verifying individual is a registered user and pet is a registered pet (if applicable). If the individual is not a registered user, then step 202a comprises of registering the individual and registering the pet if applicable (see
Step 203 comprises of providing guidelines to individual (e.g., to an individual's smart phone, tablet, etc.) and prompting the individual to accept or decline the guidelines before moving on to next step. If a user declines the guidelines as set forth by the business, then the user cannot enter the business (e.g., automatic doors will not open for the user, a security guard or other employee can prevent the user from entering, or a notification can simply be output to the user's smart phone instructing him or her to not enter the business). Step 203a comprises of presenting the user with a rating screen once the user declines the guidelines (see
Step 204 comprises of providing alerts to the individual based on his or her profile, the pet's profile, the business's profile, or any other individual's profile who is already in the business (see
Step 205 comprises of an individual accepting or declining the alert. If a user declines the alert, then he or she cannot enter the business. Step 205a comprises of presenting the user with a rating screen once the user declines the alert (see
Step 206 comprises of adding individual and pet (if applicable) to interactive map of business (see
Step 207 comprises of rating a pet or business from the interactive map. Individual can click on the icon of the business to rate the business or click on the pet represented on the map to rate the pet (see
Step 208 (not shown in
Step 302 comprises of verifying individual is a registered user and pet is a registered pet if applicable. If the individual is not a registered user, then step 302a comprises of registering the individual and registering the pet if applicable (see
Step 303 comprises of providing guidelines to individual and prompting him or her to accept or decline before moving on to next step. If a user declines the guidelines as set forth by the food establishment, then he or she cannot enter the food establishment (e.g., automatic doors will not open for the user, a security guard or other employee can prevent the user from entering, or a notification can simply be output to the user's smart phone instructing him or her to not enter the business). Step 303a comprises of presenting the user with the rating screen once the user declines the guidelines (see
Step 304 comprises of making a reservation in the system. Step 305 comprises of providing alerts to the individual based on his or her profile, his or her pet's profile, the food establishment's profile, or any other individual's profile who is already in the food establishment (see
Step 306 comprises of individual accepting or declining the alert. If a user declines the alert, then he or she and the pet cannot enter the food establishment (e.g., automatic doors will not open for the user, a security guard or other employee can prevent the user from entering, or a notification can simply be output to the user's smart phone instructing them to not enter the business). Step 306a comprises of presenting the user with the rating screen once the user declines the alert (see
Step 307 comprises of creating an automated seating arrangement based on limitations and preferences. For example, the method can include automatically generating a seating arrangement based on pets present at the food establishment, a user's preference, and/or a pet's rating. The pet's rating can include ratings provided by businesses, food establishments, and/or other users that have previously had encounters with the animal.
Step 308 comprises of adding individual and pet (if applicable) to interactive map of food establishment (see
Step 309 comprises of rating a pet or business from the interactive map. Individual can click on the icon of the business to rate the business or click on the pet represented on the map to rate the pet (see
Step 310 (not shown) comprises of individual leaving the food establishment and being removed from interactive map.
Alerts are limitations that are automatically generated based on the inputs of the pet owner, patron, or business owner. For example, if the business owner doesn't want more than 3 dogs in the business at a time, the owner can set up a caution alert for the 3rd dog to enter the business and a warning alert for the 4th dog. The warning alert, for example, can indicate that the 4th dog should not enter the business or that the owner would prefer that the 4th dog wait until another dog leaves the business before the 4th dog enters. Another example would be if a patron is allergic to cats and cannot be in an establishment with a cat. Other examples include, type of animal, allergies of other patrons, allergies of other animals, sponsorship requirement, etc. (see
As another example, there can be at least three variations of alerts (e.g., the alerts mentioned in the steps above) that can be based on the profiles of the pending individual, pending pet, business or food establishment, and/or the profile of the individuals and/or pets already in the business or food establishment. The three alerts are okay, caution, and warning. An okay alert tells the individual that he or she and the pet are cleared to enter the business or food establishment. A caution alert lets the individual know they should proceed with caution. An example would be a direction to stay in one section of the store so as not to interact with a puppy who isn't good with that individual's pet. The individual must acknowledge the alert to enter the business or food establishment.
A warning alert lets the individual know he or she and/or the pet cannot enter the business or food establishment and must clear the warning prior to entry. The individual can follow the directions and clear the warning, or the warning can be cleared by the business owner. This is based on the business owner's discretion. For example, if the business owner has a requirement that the pet must have a 4-star rating prior to entering and the current pet attempting to enter the business is at 3½-stars, the business owner can override the warning and admit the pet owner and pet or patron.
These types of limitations are meant to be specific to each business based on the business owner's discretion. Example limitations include business capacity almost at limit, pet owner's animal cannot be around an animal currently in the business, or a rating threshold must be met. A person skilled in the art can envision other limitations that are within the present scope of the invention.
Ratings, referred to above in step 207 and 309, can be completed by an individual or by the business. Once a rating is completed for a pet or a business, the raw data is combined with the other ratings pertaining to that pet or that business and averaged, providing an updated overall rating score. User can click on the number of stars (1-5) they wish to rate the business or pet and/or fill in specific information about how they wish to rate the business or pet (see
Some ratings can result in a limitation being added to the profile of the business or pet being reviewed. For example, “Sally, the Capuchin, threw food at me as I walked by her. I don't want to be around this animal again.” A limitation will be added to the user who created the rating to alert them if Sally is ever in the business again when they arrive. The business will also be alerted to the new limitation.
The system can be provided with a user portal 140 or web app that can present an interactive map to the user. It will also be understood that the user portal 140 can be presented to the user or interacted with by the user via an application on a mobile device or using an online portal. As discussed in some detail above, the system will include a user platform, such as an application, that can be configured to receive input from a user. It will be understood that the application/user platform can be accessed through mobile devices, web portals, or any number of suitable means. It will be understood that the platform is operable to define at least one permitted zone where the pet is permitted to reside and at least one restricted zone where the pet is restricted from entering. This can be achieved by defining or drawing boundaries, for example on a map.
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While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to prior filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/402,561, filed Aug. 31, 2022, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63402561 | Aug 2022 | US |