Ultrasonic transceiver and remote controlled devices for pets

Abstract

An ultrasonic transceiver device and remote output devices controlled by the transceiver for use by domestic pets. The transceiver utilizes a fixed interval edge detect modulation system to lock out stray environmental noise thereby, avoiding false triggering and greatly increasing the working range. Output devices include: a wireless pet containment system in which ultrasonic transmitters are mounted on a series of posts defining the perimeter of the containment area and a receiver device adapted to be worn by a domestic animal. Upon receiving the transmitted ultrasound the receiver device sounds a warning tone followed by an electric shock to train the animal to stay within the perimeter; a sonic alarm system to deter a domestic animal from entering a restricted area whereby, an ultrasonic transmitter is worn by the animal and a receiver with an alarm output is placed in a stationary location to sound an alarm chasing the animal from the area in which the receiver is placed; a remote pet training device whereby a hand held transmitter is carried by a human trainer and a receiver unit is worn by the pet, the receiver produces a set of training tones in response to the modulated ultrasound produced by the transmitter; and a remotely operated pet door which automatically opens under its own power when it receives a signal from an ultrasonic transmitter worn by a pet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The field of the invention pertains to an ultrasonic transceiver to control output devices for use by and for pets and more particularly to a transceiver with modulation characteristics to improve range and avoid false triggering in the control of a wireless pet containment system; a sonic alarm for area restriction; a remote pet trainer and a remotely operated, fully automatic pet door.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention has the purpose of facilitating a means by which pets can self activate automatic devices and allow humans to operate the devices remotely. The scope of this invention includes a modulated ultrasonic transceiver utilizing a fixed duration edge detect means to extend the range of the device by distinguishing between a low level transmitted signal and environmental noise. This is employed to control a wireless pet containment system; a sonic alarm for area restriction; a remote pet trainer and a remotely operated, fully automat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Applied to the development of a wireless pet containment system, the present invention requires no antenna nor buried cable and specifically optimizes and makes use of the inherent directionality of ultrasound to approximate a linear beam of ultrasound forming a wireless boundary. The signal modulation and edge detect receiver virtually eliminate the possibility of false triggering which would allow the device to needlessly shock the animal. Additionally, it is possible to simultaneously send two individually modulated ultrasonic signals, one of higher amplification for a wider transmitted beam and one of lower amplification for a narrower transmitted beam, to separately control the warning tone and shock outputs at the receiver, making it impossible for a clever animal to run through the perimeter and out of range during the time delay from warning tone to shock used by conventional devices.

[0012]The invention in its present form also provides a useful alternative to the use of R.F. transmission in the creation of a remote training device by greatly extending the range of conventional ultrasonic transceivers. The result is a remote training device with a useful range comparable to that of a conventional R.F. transceiver but, without the possibility of interfering with the reception of radio, television and other R.F. signals. The training device then uses one or more preset ultrasonic pulse rates to trigger one or more tones for use in obedience training of pets.

[0013]The directional characteristics of ultrasound are of great value applied to the operation of an automatic pet door by allowing an acceptable frontal activation range when the pet is facing and approaching receiver but, greatly reducing the probability of false triggering of the receiver when the pet is just passing by at even closer range than the frontal activation distance. The modulated pulsed signal and edge detect receiver technique are employed to create an ultrasonic key code so that the device may be operated only by the pet wearing a transmitter with those specific modulation characteristics to be sensed by the receiver. This type of pet door achieves the advantages of preventing stray animals and intruders from entering the home through the pet door (a common problem with conventional mechanical pet doors) and provides protection against strong wind which can easily blow through the hinged flap of a conventional pet door.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, it is possible to simultaneously send two individually modulated ultrasonic signals, one of higher amplification for a wider transmitted beam and one of lower amplification for a narrower transmitted beam, to separately control the warning tone and shock outputs at the receiver, making it impossible for a clever animal to run through the perimeter and out of range during the time delay from warning tone to shock used by conventional devices.

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