WO2008112065A1

WO2008112065A1 - Improved pet collar

Info

Publication number: WO2008112065A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/002193
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon Wilby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-13
Filing date: 2008-02-20
Publication date: 2008-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-13

Abstract

A method of monitoring and controlling a pet comprising the steps of: i) strapping a receiver on the pet; and, ii) providing a hand held transmitter to transmit voice to the receiver strapped on the pet. Then instruction may be transmitted to the pet by talking into the transmitter. In one aspect of the invention a digital voice recorder is provided to record contact information for a potential finder of the pet in the event the pet is lost. In another aspect of the invention the collar carried and a hand held unit have virtual fencing capabilities. Said virtual fence is set up to indicate to the pet when it has crossed outside a preset radius and to concurrently indicate to the hand held unit that the pet has crossed outside the preset radius.

Description

IMPROVED PET COLLAR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to pet control. More particularly this invention relates to an improved pet collar. The pet collar communicates with a hand held unit allowing an individual holding the hand held unit to talk to the dog. The unit also allows a virtual fence to be set up at a selected radius. When the pet crosses beyond the specified radius the hand held unit is notified. Yet another aspect of the invention incorporates a digital voice recorder in the animal's collar. If the animal is lost an individual finding the animal can play a prerecorded message providing contact information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for better communication between an animal and its master. After the animal has moved a few hundred feet away from the master, the animal at best can hear only when the master screams. If the animal chooses not to come the master, the master is frequently unable to see the animal and is generally frustrated in his attempts to locate the animal. After the animal has moved more than a 1000 ft away from his master in most conditions the animal is unable to hear his master call. The animal soon becomes lost. The master may traverse across a large area repeatedly yelling, calling the animal. The experience most likely is non-productive. It always is frustrating. If the animal is found there is a need for contact information. A number on a dog tag usually takes until the next day to produce contact information. It also usually results in the occurrence of an extended period of worry, as well as fines, and fees.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to disclose a hand held transmitter which communicates with a collar worn on the animal. It is an object of this invention to disclose a device which allows an owner to talk to his animal without yelling. It is an object of this invention to disclose a device which allows an owner to talk to his animal at ranges of up to twelve miles. It is yet a further object of this invention to disclose a unit which allows a virtual fence to be set up, indicating when the pet crosses outside the periphery of the zone. It is a final object of this invention to disclose a method of supplying contact information to a an individual finding the pet by providing a digital voice recorder in the collar of the pet.

One aspect of this invention provides for a method of monitoring and controlling a pet comprising the steps of: i) strapping a receiver on the pet; and, ii) providing a hand held transmitter to transmit voice to the receiver strapped on the pet. Then instruction may be transmitted to the pet by talking into the transmitter. In a preferred aspect of this invention the unit is provided with a digital voice recorder to record contact information for a potential finder of the pet in the event the pet is lost.

In another aspect of the invention the collar carried and a hand held unit have virtual fencing capabilities. Said virtual fence is set up to indicate to the pet when it has crossed outside a preset radius and to concurrently indicate to the hand held unit that the pet has crossed outside the preset radius.

Various other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIGURES OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a perspective view a collar for a pet carrying a two way communication device.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hand held two way communication device used to communicate with the collar communication device shown in figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a two way communication device carried on a horse bridle.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a digital voice recorder on a collar.

The following is a discussion and description of the preferred specific embodiments of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It should be noted that such discussion and description is not meant to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings and more particularly to figure 1 we have a perspective view of a collar 20 for a pet 18 carrying a two way communication device 22. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hand held two way communication device 30 used to communicate with the collar communication device 22 shown in figure 1. A method of monitoring and controlling a pet 18 comprises the steps of: i) strapping a receiver 24 on the pet 18; and, ii) providing a hand held transmitter 34 to transmit voice to the receiver 24 strapped on the pet 16. Then instruction may be transmitted to the pet 18 by talking into the transmitter 24. It is intended that said instruction would include commands such as "Stop barking", as well as "Rover come". In a preferred embodiment of the invention the receiver 24 and transmitter 34 each comprise two way radio units 26, 36. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention the two way units 26,36 comprise "walkie talkies" utilizing a non-proprietary family radio service band so that periodic access fees need not be paid.

The hand held unit 36 and the collar unit 26 are set to, and display a selected one of multiple channels 38, and a selected code 40 to facilitate minimal interference from other users of walkie talkies 26,36 in up to a twelve mile operational radius. Most preferably the collar unit 26 is provided with a button which when pressed transmits to the hand held unit 36 so that a message can be relayed from the pet 18 to the hand held unit 36 in the event the pet 18 becomes lost and then found. The hand held unit 36 is provided with a voice transmit button 50 which transmits only when held down as well as a VOX button 52 which facilitates continuous transmission until the VOX button 52 is repressed. Most preferably the collar 20 is provided with a control button 54 to vary received volume. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention the collar 20 vibrates upon receipt of a transmission to catch the attention even of a deaf dog 18.

In a preferred aspect of the invention the dog collar unit further comprises LEDs 56 (light emitting diodes) positioned thereon. The LEDs 56 on the collar unit 26 can be remotely switched on by the hand held unit 36 to illuminate the pet's 18 position up to two miles away in darkness. In the most preferred aspect of the invention both units 26,36 are provided with rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries 58. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention both units 26,36 are provided with low battery indicators 60.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a two way communication device 70 carried on a horse bridle 72. The collar unit 26 is provided mounted on a bridle 72 for horses. The collar unit 26 is most preferably waterproof and available in varying sizes for pets 18. Within this specification pets 18 are intended to include dogs, cats, and horses.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a digital voice recorder 80 on a collar 20. In a preferred aspect of the invention a digital voice recorder 80 to record contact information for a potential finder of the pet 18 in the event the pet 18 is lost. Said digital recorder 80 has a record 82 and playback button 84.

While the invention has been described with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1) A method of monitoring and controlling a pet comprising the steps of: i) strapping a receiver on the pet; and, ii) providing a hand held transmitter to transmit voice to the receiver strapped on the pet; so that instruction may be transmitted to the pet by talking into the transmitter.

2) A method as in claim 1 wherein the receiver and transmitter each comprise two way radio units.

3) A method as in claim 2 wherein the two way units comprise walkie talkies utilizing a non-proprietary family radio service band so that periodic access fees need not be paid.

4) A method as in claim 3 wherein both the hand held unit and the collar unit are set to, and display a selected one of multiple channels, and a selected code to facilitate minimal interference from other users of walkie talkies in up to a twelve mile operational radius.

5) A method as in claim 4 wherein the collar unit is provided with a button which when pressed transmits to the hand held unit so that a message can be relayed from the pet to the hand held unit in the event the pet becomes lost and then found, and wherein the hand held unit is provided with a voice transmit button which transmits only when held down as well as a VOX button which facilitates continuous transmission until the button is repressed. 6) A method as in claim 1 wherein the collar is provided with a control button to vary received volume.

7) A method as in claim 1 wherein the collar vibrates upon receipt of a transmission to catch the attention even of a deaf dog.

8) A method as in claim 1 further comprising LEDs positioned on the collar unit which can be remotely switched on by the hand held unit to illuminate the pet's position up to two miles away in darkness.

9) A method as in claim 1 wherein both the collar unit and the hand held unit are provided with rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries, and wherein both the collar unit and the hand held unit are provided with low battery indicators.

10) A method as in claim 1 wherein the collar unit is waterproof and available in varying sizes for pets.

11) A method as in claim 1 wherein the collar unit is provided mounted on a bridle for horses.

12) A method as in claim 1 wherein the collar unit is provided with a digital voice recorder to record contact information for a potential finder of the pet in the event the pet is lost; said digital recorder having a record and playback button.

13) A method as in claim 1 having virtual fencing capabilities, said virtual fence set up to indicate to the pet when it has crossed outside a preset radius and to concurrently indicate to the hand held unit that the pet has crossed outside the preset radius.

14) A method as in claim 1 wherein the radius can be preset between 5 and 500 feet and wherein the indication to the animal includes vibration.

15) A method of monitoring a pet comprising the step of providing a collar carried unit having a digital voice recorder therein, to record contact information for a potential finder of the pet in the event the pet is lost; said digital recorder having a record and playback button.

16) A method of monitoring a pet comprising the step of providing a collar carried unit and a hand held unit having virtual fencing capabilities, said virtual fence set up to indicate to the pet when it has crossed outside a preset radius and to concurrently indicate to the hand held unit that the pet has crossed outside the preset radius. 17) A method as in claim 16 wherein the radius can be preset between 5 and 500 feet

and wherein the indication to the pet includes vibration.