AUTOMATED CANINE TRAINING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

An automated training system includes a training space sized and shaped to accommodate animals and cameras that view the training space. The system also includes a reward device, a direction device, and a computing device in electrical communication with the cameras, reward device, and directions device, that operates a training portal within a digital environment. Animals reside in the training space and are monitored by the cameras while the animals interact with the direction device and reward device. The training portal operates the direction device to instruct the animals how to behave and then operates the reward device for the animals that comply with the instruction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/158,863 filed Mar. 9, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to animal training systems and more specifically to an automated training system that controls and administers the instruction of animals so that they learn how to perform preselected tasks and exhibit selected behaviors without the manual contact of a trainer.

Common animal training systems utilize hands-on techniques and experienced human trainers to teach behaviors to animals, particularly canines. For example, a dog trainer will use a treat such as meat to reward a dog when it performs a task or exhibits a behavior such as sitting. A verbal command such as “sit” is given to the dog to associate the behavior with the sound and reward. Through repetition, the dog learns that it should sit when the command is given.

One of the problems associated with common animal training systems is their limited efficiency. For example, a trainer can only teach one animal at a time. While multiple animals may be present for the instruction the trainer cannot administer the timely reward or interaction with more than one animal at a time. If the command is given and the behavior is not promptly provided the animal will not learn as quickly or as well to perform the behavior.

Additionally, animals have unique traits and not all training methods are as effective for every animal either by type or specimen. While a trainer may know or be familiar with many training methods or techniques and can receive additional training the application of the methods is dependent on the skill of the trainer. It is then less likely that the appropriate method for each animal will be used by a trainer of skill and less so for an average trainer.

Although developments have been made in the area of common animal training systems, there remains a need for further improvement.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure includes an automated training system comprising a training space sized and shaped to accommodate animals therein and a plurality of cameras that view the training space. The system also includes a reward device, a direction device, and a computing device in electrical communication with the plurality of cameras, reward device, and directions device, that operates a training portal within a digital environment. Animals reside in the training space and are monitored by the plurality of cameras while the animals interact with the direction device and reward device. The training portal operates the direction device to instruct the animals how to behave and then operates the reward device for the animals that comply with the instruction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular toFIG. 1, an automated training system is designated in its entirety by the reference number101. The illustrated system101includes a training space103that has accommodation for animals111that will reside therein. The system101also has cameras105that monitor the space103and detect the animals111that are placed therein. A reward device107is also located in the space103and is configured to provide an incentive or acknowledgment to the animals111based on an exhibited behavior. A direction device109is also located within the space103and is configured to prompt the animals111to behave or act in preplanned ways. A computing device113is in electronic communication with the cameras105, reward device107, and direction device109.

Referring toFIG. 2, the computing device is depicted and includes hardware201such as data storage, memory, processor, display, keyboard, and software203such as an operating system to create a digital environment wherein a training portal205is active and allows input from the cameras105, a user207, or an outside source209. The outside source could be the internet, a program, or the like. The training portal205is configured to evaluate the animals111and through the operation of the reward device107and direction device109instruct the animals111to learn selected or preplanned behaviors.

In use, animals111such as canines are placed in the space103that could be indoors or out of doors. The animals111are allowed to act for themselves within the space103. The direction device109as commanded by the training portal205provides stimulus such as visual, audio, or kinetic output that is seen, heard, or witnessed by the animals111. The animals111choose to mimic, obey, or act on the stimulus and are thusly compensated by the reward device107as they are observed by the cameras105. The training portal205accepts data from the cameras105and interprets it to determine compliance of specific animals, when compliance is identified, the training portal205activates the reward device109to compensate the specific animal. The animals that are deemed trained by the training portal205, are graduated and new animals111are introduced to the space103.

One unique feature of the invention is that a large number of animals111are observed by the cameras105and instructed within the space103by the direction device109and reward device107so that multiple animals are trained at the same time.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a method of training animals is depicted. Method301includes placing animals within a training space303, determining a behavior or outcomes to teach to the animals305, allowing a training portal to control a direction device and reward device to instruct the animals307, observing the behavior of the animals via cameras that return data to the portal309, rewarding the behavior of the animals as observed via the cameras311, and determining which animals have completed the training313.

Although the specification includes examples, the disclosure's scope is indicated by the following claims. Furthermore, although the specification has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples for embodiments of the disclosure.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.