7367results about "Taming and training devices" patented technology

A method and apparatus to confine and constrain an animal or human subject to a specific area has the capability to change the borders of the restraint area remotely to maximize an area's utility. A collar or support is placed on the subject; the collar carries an electronic module to receive and send signals and to activate a restraining or feedback mechanism. In its simplest form, the collar receives and transmits Global Positioning System (GPS) data to be matched against a preset group of boundary coordinates. The system of the present invention utilizes GPS location technology to define the boundary. When the input matches the boundary coordinates set into the receiver, an impulse is delivered to the subject or wearer. This impulse becomes increasingly severe as the wearer moves farther away from the boundary point. Upon return to the boundary location the impulse ceases and, as long as the wearer stays within the boundaries, no further impulse is imparted. Terrain of the designated area is not a factor in the operation of the system since it can be programmed for use anywhere. The coordinates of the boundaries can either be preset or remotely changed to redefine the permitted areas.

The present invention relates to an edible thermoplastic made from about 30 to 50 wt. % protein comprising a mixture of plant and animal derived protein, about 20 to 50 wt. % starch about 10 to 20 wt. % water, about 1 to 10 wt. % edible fiber, and about 0.5 to 3 wt. % metallic salt hydrate. When molded, the thermoplastic has good strength and stiffness and other physical properties. The edible thermoplastic may be molded in a variety of shapes including a segmented nutritional pet chew with a plurality of segments separated by a plurality of scores. The scores serve to structurally weaken the pet chew so that it may be broken into smaller pieces. When molded the edible thermoplastic has a density of about 1.2 to 1.5 g / cubic centimeters.

The invention relates to the field of a pet device, and especially relates to an intelligent pet food emitter. The intelligent pet food emitter comprises a matrix, the matrix is internally provided with an emission channel communicating with the outside, the emission channel is straight, the emission channel is internally provided with an impact rod, and a compression spring is arranged between the tail end and of the impact rod and the matrix; and the matrix at the upper end of the emission channel is provided with a food chamber for containing food, a discharge port at the bottom of the food chamber communicates with the emission channel, the matrix is internally provided with a reciprocating motion mechanism, and the reciprocating motion mechanism is connected with the impact rod through a disengagement mechanism. According to the intelligent pet food emitter, through arrangement of a mobile phone APP, real-time distribution of the food can be remotely controlled, the food is thrown to a certain distance by use of the emission channel, interaction fun with a pet can be realized, the pet status can be remotely observed, and remote conversation with the pet can be realized.

A cashless business transaction system (e.g., a vending system, a material tracking system, or a highway toll system) incorporates a method and apparatus for transmitting a digital information signal. A signal generator (311) generates a constant frequency signal. A phase modulator (305) varies the instantaneous phase of the constant frequency signal to represent digital information, thereby producing a phase modulated signal (325). A tuned resonant circuit (307) filters and averages the phase modulated signal to produce a simulated FM signal, and transmits the simulated FM signal via its antenna (309). One such business transaction system (e.g., a vending system) incorporates such a transmitter to facilitate transmission of billing information from a device located within a substantially electrically shielded environment. Another such business transaction system preferably incorporates such a transmitter to facilitate half-duplex transmission of digital information regardless of whether or not the digital information is transmitted from a device located within a substantially electrically shielded environment.

The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects. The novel method broadly comprises the steps of: a) attaching a low radio frequency detection tag to each of the objects, each tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz (preferably not exceeding 300 kilohertz), a transceiver operatively connected to the tag's antenna, the transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at the low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from the transceiver and the data storage device and to send data to cause the transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon the identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating the tag's transceiver and data processor; b) storing, in the data storage device of each tag, shipping data selected from object description data, address-of-origin data, destination address data, object vulnerability data, and object status data; c) commingling the objects in a repository selected from a warehouse and a truck, the repository being provided with at least one large loop field antenna operable at said low radio frequency; the field antenna being disposed at a distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at the low radio frequency, d) reading the identification data and shipping data from the transceiver of each tag by interrogating all tags commingled in said repository with data signals, such as specific IP addresses or other identification codes, via said field antenna; and e) transmitting the identification data and shipping data from each tag to a central data processor to provide a tally of the objects in said repository.

A health monitoring system, and methods of use and manufacture thereof are disclosed. The health monitoring system may include a computing system and a diagnostic test coupled to a diaper. The diagnostic test may include one or more sensors configured to produce a visual indication of one or more analytes contained in a sample produced by a subject. The diagnostic test may include a machine-readable code. The computing system may be configured to read the machine-readable code to allow an application running on the computing system to automatically perform at least one task related to a production of a data point based on the visual indication. The health monitoring system may aid in identifying a potential abnormal health condition of the subject by providing automatic longitudinal analysis of analytes contained in samples produced by the subject over a period of time.

A completely digestible highly nutritious dog chew formulated primarily of wheat flour, casein and starch carbohydrate, the texture of hardness of which is easily modified to suit a particular dog by the dog owner. By irradiating the chew in a microwave oven, the chew is caused to expand and is thereby rendered more easily chewable.

A completely digestible highly nutritious dog chew formulated primarily of peanut flour, casein and a vegetable starch carbohydrate, the texture of hardness of which is easily modified to suit a particular dog by the dog owner. By irradiating the chew in a microwave oven, the chew is caused to expand and is thereby rendered more easily chewable.

An arrangement for performing an animal-related action on an animal includes a position determining component having a detector and a processing unit for determining the position of an animal part to be subjected to the animal-related action, and a performance component such as an animal handling unit or milking robot for performing the animal-related action. The position determining component is located at a first location including a station for housing an animal and the performance component is located at a second location including a station for housing an animal at a distance from the first location. A signal line is provided for transferring the coordinates of the position determined at the first location to the performance component at the second location in order to enable the performance of the action with regard to the animal part.

A chew toy having a substantial component of vegetable matter wherein such vegetable matter, in dried and powdered or granulation form, is melted as it is injection molded. The process provides a chew toy with a consistency and chewability preferred by most dogs that is not attainable by known prior art baking or compression molding techniques.

A computer-aided training and management system that uses a computer or other processor in wireless communication with an instrumented dog collar and / or optionally, one or more dog interaction devices, such as, for example, video monitors, loudspeakers, video cameras, training toys (e.g., ball, bone, moving toy, etc.), an animatronics “trainer,” a treat dispenser, a food dispensing and monitoring device, a water dispensing and monitoring device, tracking devices, a dog door, dog-monitoring doghouse, a dog-monitoring dog toilet, is described. In one embodiment, the instrumented dog collar is in two-way communication with a central computer system.

A bedding article for a domestic animal comprising an outer textile casing defining a geometric shape for supporting a domestic animal, an inner filling, and a microbe-inhibiting agent or property applied to at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling. The bedding article may be fabricated in various shapes, designs, and styles; e.g., rectangular, circular, elliptical, with or without upstanding side walls, etc. A process for applying the microbe-inhibiting agent or property to at least one on the outer textile casing and the inner filling is provided. Application methods include spraying, dipping, brushing, and rolling the microbe-inhibiting agent or property onto at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling. An alternative embodiment includes an outer textile casing defining a geometric shape for supporting a domestic animal, an inner filling, a lining therebetween, and a microbe-inhibiting agent or property applied to at least one of the outer textile casing, the inner lining, and the inner filling.

A GPS data acquisition collar incorporating an individualized rugged watertight collar that monitors factors including GPS location, gazing patterns, elevation, feeding patterns, temperature, movement speed, sleep patterns and signaling or beacon tracking options. Additionally the present invention provides options for visual representation or programming alerting of factors that may affect an animal or herd of animals in a monitored and recorded environment.

Described herein is a GPS pet containment system is that generally self contained within a collar. However, the collar includes a battery power source, a microcontroller powered by the battery power source, a global positioning system (GPS) interfaced to the microcontroller and an accelerometer interfaced to the microcontroller. The GPS operates to provide collar location information on a periodic basis while the accelerometer provides collar dead reckoning location information on a substantially continuous basis. The dead reckoning location information is acquired by integrating the acceleration value provided by the accelerometer over sub-second time intervals.

A completely digestible highly nutritious dog chew formulated primarily of beaded corn starch or a mixture of beaded corn starch and potato starch, and calcium carbonate, the texture of hardness or which is easily modified to suit a particular dog by the dog owner. By irradiating the chew in a microwave oven, the chew is caused to expand and is thereby rendered more easily chewable.

Updateable, customizable identification bands are disclosed herein. The identification band may include a band having an opening therein and at least one transparent surface. An information tag is insertable into the opening and is visible through the at least one transparent surface. The information tag is updateable, customizable or replaceable. The identification band may include accessible digital data storage as well. The identification band may also include a clasp. The clasp may include a male part and a female part, the female part having a cave-like opening that enables the information tag to be inserted into the opening in the band. The male part desirably secures the ‘cave-like” opening such that a water tight seal is formed. The clasp may include digital storage capability, technology and / or a power source.

An external stimuli is provided that alerts animals to danger and / or repels the animals from certain areas. More specifically, the system and method of the present invention uses an external stimuli, such as, for example, pulsing microwaves, vibration or supersonic sound waves, in order to alert birds or other animals of danger and / or repel these same birds or animals from specific areas. These produced external stimuli may provide a reversible unpleasant sensation to the birds and other animals so that they will not only be repelled from a specific area, such as an airport, but also will avoid returning to such area. One such unpleasant sensation that is virtually harmless to the birds and other animals is the sensation of dizziness.

A collar for pet animals may have sensor elements remotely actuatable to measure vital signs of the animal (such as respiration, pulse, temperature and movement) and a processor that can interpret the results of multiple vital sign readings. A two way communication device alerts the pet owner, veterinarian or authorities. A veterinarian can remotely take a particular vital sign measurement when alerted. The sensor elements embedded in the collar's band has at least one elastic pin extending toward the animal's neck to gather data processed on the collar or remotely. To improve STN ratio, an elastic layer may absorb noise from friction due to movement of the animal's head. The collar may adjust the tightness of the band for taking vital sign readings. For example pump may injects air through a tubular compertment running along the circumference of the band. A safety mechanism may release the collar.

A tracking system includes a global positioning system (GPS) module and a modem for mobile communications both attached to a pet (or other trackee), and a virtual fence (which includes a base station sending a signal to a certain range and a receiver attached to the pet (or other trackee) and receiving the signal sent by a base station when the receiver is within the range of the base station). A portable virtual fence system includes a signal-sending base station, and a signal-receiver worn by a to-be-fenced pet or other trackee. Advantageously, the base station is portable. The size of the virtual fence can be expanded to fit any shaped geometry using signal repeater or transceiver devices. In addition, more than one pet can be tracked using a single virtual fence and base station. Upon confirmation that a trackee has breached the fence and should be tracked, a service center can provide location information of the trackee as well directions to the trackee by voice or transmission of mapping and other imaging displays to the responsible party seeking to locate the trackee. Power management is enhanced by either turning off the power to the tracking devices (e.g., GPS or GSM or other device) after a report, or by dynamically varying the time reports are made without deactivating the tracking devices.

The invention is a device for exercising a pet. One embodiment of the invention is a combination of a treadmill and control configured to motivate a pet to use the treadmill responsive to motivation provided to the pet in the form of visual, audio, aromatic, and / or food rewards. Another embodiment of the invention is a device having a motivation control system configured to be secured to and / or adjacent to a separate treadmill, with the device controlling operation of the treadmill and the motivational control system providing appropriate motivation to the pet to use the treadmill.

The present invention relates to a product and a method of making a pet chew that is edible and highly digestible. The pet chew comprises 5 to about 50% (w / w) protein, about 20 to about 80% (w / w) carbohydrate, about 5 to about 50% (w / w) humectant, and about 5 to about 30 % (w / w) water. When formed, the pet chew comprises a hardness measurement of about 5 kg to about 60 kg and an elasticity measurement of about 3 mm to about 40 mm.

This invention teaches a method and apparatus that combines GPS, map overlays, a means to draw containment perimeters directly over map overlays, and a means to transmit signals to any plurality of electronic stimulus control collars to contain humans or animals within each containment perimeter. A primary aspiration of this invention is to provide hunters with a means to effortlessly operate functions of an animal stimulus collar while hunting. Novel features include a means to specify a containment perimeter that travels with the hunter by drawing the same on a on a touch sensitive graphic user interface that displays a map of the local area. This invention is easy to use and readily accepts new perimeters, perimeter alterations, or a multiple of perimeters at will.