Abstract:
One embodiment of an animal-bound device using a Bluetooth module ( 14 ) and technology to limit or control animal movement in relation to a user&#39;s Bluetooth-enabled device. Device has user input and visual response ( 16 - 20 ) Animal is controlled by deterrent ( 15 ) on programming on on-board storage and microprocessor ( 13 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/211,617 filed Mar. 31, 2009 by the present inventor. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM  
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       FIELD 
       [0004]    This application relates to electronic animal control and training devices, specifically to such devices emitting signals for behavioral modification using advanced wireless technologies. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0005]    Traditionally animals are controlled with a leash or tether limiting range of movement. This can cause physical discomfort for the animal or the user during normal use and can become tangled around either party. While animal harnesses and retractable leashes minimize some risk large animals can still pull around an owner. This is especially true for very young, old, or physically disabled owners. 
         [0006]    Thereafter several methods or electronic animal fences have been developed by several companies. These use a special collar or device which reacts to an electromagnetic or other current running along a wire in the ground. These containment solutions are costly to set up, lack portability, and are difficult to deploy without thorough understanding of the technology. 
         [0007]    Electronic devices for animal training have been produced by many companies. The user will usually input commands into a large radio device which sends a response to the dog. This is used for behavioral training and such systems are not used to contain or control an animal&#39;s range of movement. 
         [0008]    None of these devices use Bluetooth wireless technology and computations of the signal strength thereof to limit and control an animal&#39;s range of movement. Electric fences are the only animal control solution that behaves passively without requiring constant user attention and input. Furthermore, very few animal devices are capable of using Bluetooth wireless technology and connecting to user Bluetooth capable devices. While some existing patents use Bluetooth to transmit health information, none require the user&#39;s device of choice for the primary functions of measuring and limiting distance. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In accordance with one embodiment a device comprises using Bluetooth wireless technology limiting an animal&#39;s range of movement in relation to another Bluetooth device. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         [0010]    In the drawings, alternate views of figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show an exploded view of a device. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 2A to 2E  show various views of a fully assembled device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a device with the battery cover and back label removed. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a view of the device applied to a segment of an animal collar. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a segment of an animal collar inserted through a slot. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows a segment of an animal collar attached to the device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a rechargeable device&#39;s battery and a charging cable segment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a device charging. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  show an embodiment with adjustable range and more inputs. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows a device connecting to and sharing data with a Bluetooth enabled cellular phone. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  shows an embodiment with multiple Bluetooth modules 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows an embodiment with a microphone and modified top case. 
       
    
    
     Reference Numerals 
       [0023]    {circle around ( 1 )} Bottom piece 
         [0024]    {circle around ( 2 )} Main circuit 
         [0025]    {circle around ( 3 )} Top piece 
         [0026]      1  Bottom plastic casing 
         [0027]      2  Cross for reinforcement—bottom 
         [0028]      3  Intented (external) oval for label 
         [0029]      4  Battery enclosure 
         [0030]      5  Protruding plastic spine for clip 
         [0031]      6  Clip 
         [0032]      7  Embossed (internal) corners to hold circuit 
         [0033]      8  Screw hole—bottom (2×) 
         [0034]      9  Screw hole intersected by cross for reinforcement—bottom 
         [0035]      10  Screws (3×) 
         [0036]      11  Screw holes—PCB (3×) 
         [0037]      12  PCB—Circuit board 
         [0038]      13  Microcontroller 
         [0039]      14  Bluetooth Module 
         [0040]      15  Speaker 
         [0041]      16  Power button 
         [0042]      17  Bluetooth button 
         [0043]      18  Power LED—green 
         [0044]      19  Power LED—red 
         [0045]      20  Blutooth LED—blue 
         [0046]      21  Top plastic casing 
         [0047]      22  Cross for reinforcement—top 
         [0048]      23  Screw hole—top (2×) 
         [0049]      24  Screw hole intersected by cross for reinforcement—top 
         [0050]      25  Holes for LEDs (2×) 
         [0051]      26  Holes for buttons (2×) 
         [0052]      27  Clear plastic caps (4×) 
         [0053]      28  Battery cover 
         [0054]      29  Back label 
         [0055]      30  Animal collar (not included) 
         [0056]      31  Batteries (not included) 
         [0057]      32  Empty slot 
         [0058]      33  Lithium-ion Battery 
         [0059]      34  Mini-USB Port 
         [0060]      35  Cap for Mini-USB Port 
         [0061]      36  Mini-USB Cable 
         [0062]      37  Microphone 
         [0063]      38  Audio Holes 
         [0064]      39  Adjustable Switch 
         [0065]      40  Adjustable Dial 
         [0066]      41  Bluetooth-Enabled Device 
         [0067]      42  Wireless Transmission 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Embodiment—FIGS.  1 - 4   
       [0068]    The preferred embodiment the device is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . The device is composed of three main pieces: the bottom plastic piece {circle around ( 1 )}, the main circuit {circle around ( 2 )}, and the top plastic piece {circle around ( 3 )}. The two plastic pieces and the battery cover  28  are the only three solid plastic parts of the device. The face with the clip  6  is the bottom of the device and the opposite flat face of the top plastic casing  21  is the top of the device. The three main pieces are held together with three screws  10  at screw holes  8  and  9 . In assembly the screw heads enter the bottom screw holes  8  and hold the PCB board  12  to the top screw holes  11 . 
         [0069]    The bottom plastic case  1  is supported by: an extruding plastic cross  2  on the inside, screw holes  8  and  9 , and the battery casing  4 . The bottom plastic case  1  is indented from the outside in an oval shape  3 . The clip is attached to the bottom plastic case  1  by an extruding plastic spine  5 . 
         [0070]    The two plastic casings {circle around ( 1 )} and {circle around ( 3 )} house and protect the main circuit {circle around ( 2 )}. The main circuit {circle around ( 2 )} is on PCB board  12  and has three screw holes. The support of three screws  10  keeps the circuit from moving or becoming damaged during heavy use. In this embodiment the PCB board  12  is mounted with: a microcontroller  13  to act as a CPU receiving and outputting information and controls, a small speaker and/or motor  15 , a Bluetooth module  14  which communicates with other Bluetooth devices (not shown) and the microcontroller  13 , two buttons  16  and  17  which act as input to the microcontroller  13 , and three bright display LEDs of the colors green  18 , red  19 , and blue  20 . 
         [0071]    The top plastic casing  21  is supported by an extruding plastic cross  22  on the inside and screw holes  23  and  24 . In this embodiment the top surface has four holes, two of which are for buttons  16  and  17  and two more of which are for light from LEDs  18 - 20 . Four clear plastic caps  27  are placed, snapped or glued into place. These retain the functionality of the buttons  16  and  17 , retain the visibility of the LED lights  18 - 20 , keep dirt and foreign material (not shown) out of the device, and add to aesthetics. 
         [0072]    The battery cover  28  is the same size as the depressed battery enclosure  4  and the two are designed to fit flush together as not to extrude from the device. 
         [0073]    The back label  29  can display device information, symbols, icons, company information, legal information, or any other text or graphics which may or may not be included with the device&#39;s packaging (not shown). 
         [0074]    The dimensions of this embodiment are 3 cm×3 cm×1 cm. The edges are rounded as to improve comfort and prevent physical injury. This embodiment is held together primarily by three screws  10 . These screws enter the bottom plastic casing  1  through its screw holes  8  and  9 . The screws go through the PCB screw holes  11  on the circuit board  12  and up further through screw holes  23  and  24  on the inside of the top plastic casing  21 . The main circuit {circle around ( 2 )} is held in place by these screws and small supports  7  on the bottom plastic casing  1 . All plastic screw holes  8   9   23  and  24  are extruding and the hole at top is narrow. This is to better support the main circuit {circle around ( 2 )} and adhere to the screws  10  well. 
       Operation—FIGS. 2,  3 ,  4   
       [0075]    Before operation, one should ensure that their Bluetooth compatible device (not shown) is powered on and has a reasonable remaining electric power. When this embodiment is removed from its packaging (not shown) one inserts batteries (not shown) into the battery casing  4 . The battery cover  28  is then applied. The device attaches to an animal collar  30  (not included with the device) with the clip  6 . 
         [0076]    Once the above preparations are complete, the user presses the power button  16  to power on the device. When the power is on the green LED  18  will light. If the remaining battery power is low the red LED  19  will light instead. This embodiment will automatically enter “discoverable” mode, in which it will transmit wireless data that allow the device to connect with another Bluetooth device. While this embodiment is in “discoverable” mode the blue LED  20  will blink. The user must then use their Bluetooth compatible wireless device to connect with this embodiment. This may be as little as one button press, but exact operation of the users Bluetooth compatible wireless device can vary and will not be included in this description of operation. Users should contact their device&#39;s manufacturer should they have problems using or learning their Bluetooth compatible wireless device&#39;s operation. (e.g. Apple for iPhone users) 
         [0077]    After the user&#39;s Bluetooth compatible wireless device is connected or “paired” with this embodiment, setup is complete. While this embodiment is connected the blue LED  20  will light. While the two devices are close to each other, nothing will happen and they will remain paired. The compatible wireless device should remain with the user, and the animal collar  30  should be on the animal. If the animal begins to move away from the user and the strength of the wireless signal decreases, this embodiment will emit a deterrent signal in the form of an ultrasonic tone, vibration, or sound clip from the speaker  15 . Combinations of these deterrents may be used as well. The ultrasonic tone is of a high pitch which humans can&#39;t hear. If the animal has just begun to go out of range then the tone is of a low volume. As the animal goes further and the signal strength becomes increasingly weak, the volume increases. In this way the animal experiences a sound that ranges from slightly annoying to extremely unpleasant proportionally as the distance between them and the user increases. 
         [0078]    If the user presses the Bluetooth button  17  this embodiment will wirelessly disconnect from any devices and will then enter “discoverable” mode as if it had just been powered on. This function is for users who want to reconnect or connect this embodiment with a different Bluetooth compatible wireless device. 
         [0079]    When the user is done using this embodiment they press the power button  16  to power off this embodiment. It may then be removed from the animal collar  30  if the user chooses. 
       FIGS.  5 - 10 —Alternative Embodiments 
       [0080]    There are various ways to affix the device to a dog collar without use of a clip.  FIG. 5  illustrates a device with a slot to feed a collar through.  FIG. 6  illustrates a device with a segment of permanently attached collar or harness. Interior rechargeable batteries as shown in  FIG. 7  may be preferable to disposable batteries.  FIG. 8  shows a cable attached to the device to serve as a traditional leash or as a power transfer cable. 
         [0081]      FIG. 9  shows a device with inputs for the user to define effective range.  FIG. 10  shows a version receiving data from the user&#39;s Bluetooth capable device to define effective range. It may be possible to grain enhanced measurement precision by using multiple Bluetooth modules in the circuitry as shown by  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 12  shows a device with a built-in microphone for audio recording and playback. 
       Advantages 
       [0082]    From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of my tetherless animal control device become evident: 
         [0083]    (a) The hands-free use allows the user to safely focus on their animal and surroundings. 
         [0084]    (b) Without a taught leash the animal&#39;s neck and user&#39;s hands will be more comfortable. 
         [0085]    (c) Young and elderly users will not be pulled about by large dogs using this device. 
         [0086]    (d) The device&#39;s Bluetooth wireless technology can be used with other animal training devices without interference. 
         [0087]    (e) The device works with any other Bluetooth capable device—an open wireless technology more than a decade old supported by millions of devices. 
         [0088]    (f) Different types of humane animal discouragement give customizability or maximum effectiveness such as vibration, hyper-frequency audio, audible frequency audio, spray, and shock. 
       Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope 
       [0089]    The device is not meant to act as a complete substitute for an animal leash. Leash laws do not extend to electronic devices and the device is intended for use on private property when one does not want their animal on a leash but still wants them close by. In certain embodiments percentage will be more reliable and safe than a measured distance depending on the user&#39;s Bluetooth compatible device. 
         [0090]    Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of embodiments but mearly providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. For example, a Bluetooth adaptor or modem may be included in the same electronic component as the microcontroller; an extra or external antennae may improve results; variants with open-source programming and design are possible; the device could serve a dual-function as another existing type of animal training device; a Bluetooth PIN code may be used during pairing for additional security; the casing may be made of other materials than plastic, one cell phone may be able to connect to multiple devices, the device may be adapted for use with children, dolphins, etc. 
         [0091]    Thus scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.