Abstract:
An electronic containment system for use with animals and/or humans. The system includes a transmitter for transmitting a radio signal, a receiver for receiving the radio signal from the transmitter and a deterrent circuit including a switched capacitor power supply for administering a deterent responsive to a control signal from the receiver. The system also includes a collar or a belt to attach the receiver and the deterrent circuit energized by a switched capacitor power supply to the animal or human.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/398,195, filed on Sep. 17, 1999, which is pending. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to animal and/or human electronic containment systems and, more particularly, to an electronic containment system which includes a radio receiver, with a shock deterrent section energized by a switched capacitor power supply, mounted within or on the animal&#39;s collar. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One system for accomplishing the confinement of an animal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,178 entitled ELECTRODE DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRIC SHOCK GENERATOR CARRIED ON AN ANIMAL (the &#39;178 patent), issued to McDade et al. The &#39;178 patent and other similar conventional systems mount a receiver on a collar of an animal. The collar delivers a shock to the animal wearing the collar when the animal is in relatively close proximity to a perimeter antenna wire. This conventional system incorporates an electronic shock circuit that is energized by a large and heavy transformer. This transformer is necessary to produce a shock sufficient to deter the animal from crossing a predetermined boundary. This approach, however, greatly increases the size and weight of the receiver encasement unit. 
     Another conventional confinement system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,923 entitled TRANSPONDER CONTROL OF ANIMAL WHEREABOUTS (the &#39;923 patent), issued to Janning. The &#39;923 patent describes a confinement system that utilizes stationary and/or mobile transponders. The transponders are placed to determine the outer containment area of an animal or human. As with the aforementioned prior art, a receiver is mounted on a collar worn by the animal. The collar delivers a shock to an animal wearing the collar when the animal is in relatively close proximity of the transponders. This system also incorporates an electronic shock circuit powered by a large transformer inside the animal&#39;s receiver encasement. As such, this system has drawbacks similar to those discussed above. 
     Yet another system for the confinement of an animal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,120 entitled ANIMAL TRAINING AND RESTRAINING SYSTEM (the &#39;120 patent), issued to Brose. This system utilizes a centralized transmitter that broadcasts a predetermined radio signal. Unlike the other prior art, the animal must stay in the broadcast containment field. When the animal&#39;s receiver detects that the containment field is weakening, as the animal&#39;s distance from the transmitter increases, the animal&#39;s receiver administers a deterrent to the animal. This system also incorporates an electronic shock circuit powered by a large transformer inside the animal&#39;s receiver encasement. As with the other systems, this greatly increases the size and weight of the receiver encasement unit. 
     Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic containment system in which the deterrent circuit eliminates the large shock generating transformer by replacing it with one or more charged capacitors in an animals receiver. The novel switched capacitor shock circuit not only greatly reduces the size and weight of the receiver unit, that is carried or worn by the animal or human, but it also reduces the manufacturing cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an animal confinement system including a base for transmitting a predetermined containment signal; a receiver that is worn by the animal or human being contained; and switched capacitor-shocking circuit. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following figures: 
     FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This exemplary embodiment utilizes a permanently affixed outer perimeter containment wire attached to a stationary transmitting base station. When the receiver, worn by an animal or human, is in close proximity of the outer wire, the receiver will administer an audio signal and/or shock as a deterrent. 
     FIG. 2 is an illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This exemplary embodiment utilizes a portable outer perimeter containment wire attached to a mobile transmitting base station. When the receiver, worn by an animal or human, is in close proximity of the outer wire, the receiver will administer an audio signal and/or shock as a deterrent. 
     FIG. 3 is an illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This exemplary embodiment utilizes a permanently affixed transmitting antenna and a stationary transmitting base station. When an animal or human, wearing the receiver, ventures away or out of the containment signal, the receiver will administer an audio signal and/or shock as a deterrent. 
     FIG. 4 is an illustration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This exemplary embodiment utilizes a portable outer perimeter containment wire attached to a mobile transmitting base station. When an animal or human, wearing the receiver, ventures away or out of the containment signal, the receiver will administer an audio signal and/or shock as a deterrent. 
     FIG. 5 is an illustration of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This exemplary embodiment utilizes multiple transmitters to extend the containment field. When an animal or human, wearing the receiver, ventures away or out of the containment signal, the receiver will administer an audio signal and/or shock as a deterrent. 
     FIG. 6 is a containment transmitter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a receiver worn by the animal or human according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a view of a containment collar arrangement illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a housing for use with the collar. 
     FIG. 9 is a view of a containment collar arrangement illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a housing for use with the collar. 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view of a containment collar arrangement in which the power source is not within with the receiver encasement. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the placement of the receiver and the power source affixed to the outside of the collar. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate placement of the receiver and the power source within of the collar. 
     FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a switched capacitor power supply used to energize the shock deterrent section of the receiver worn by the animal or human according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Generally, the confinement system for animals of the present invention operates by transmitting a signal to a receiver mounted on an animal&#39;s collar. The receiver then detects the transmitted signal. If the transmitted signal and a reference signal within the receiver are similar, then the signal strength of the transmitted signal is used to determine whether the animal is close to a boundary area. If the transmitted signal and reference signals are not similar, the transmitted signal is ignored. Although the exemplary embodiments illustrate the use of the confinement system by attaching the receiver to an animal, the receiver can also be attached to a person and used as described below. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. In FIG. 1, TRANSMITTER  1  transmits a predetermined modulated signal of between about 30 kHz and 40 kHz, for example, through permanently affixed ANTENNA  3 . In FIG. 1, TRANSMITTER  1  is located in a STRUCTURE  2  such as a house or a garage, for example. ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6  wears RECEIVER  4  that responds to the predetermined containment signal of TRANSMITTER  1 . When ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6  comes in close proximity with ANTENNA  3  (5-10 feet for example), RECEIVER  4  becomes energized and may emit and an annoying sound, a shock, or an annoying sound and a shock to ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6 . Thus, deterring them from crossing the predetermined containment area (not shown). 
     Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a second exemplary embodiment illustrating a portable usage of the invention. In FIG. 2, TRANSMITTER  1  transmits a predetermined modulated signal of between about 30 kHz and 40 kHz, for example, through ANTENNA  3 . In FIG. 2, TRANSMITTER  1  is portable and may be placed in an open field, playground, seashore area, etc. ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6  wears RECEIVER  4  that responds to the predetermined containment signal of TRANSMITTER  1 . When ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6  comes in close proximity of ANTENNA  3  (5 to 10 feet for example), RECEIVER  4  becomes energized and may emit and an annoying sound, a shock, or an annoying sound and a shock to ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6 . Thus, deterring them from crossing the predetermined containment area. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternate portable usage of the present invention. In FIG. 3, TRANSMITTER  1  transmits a predetermined modulated signal of between about 30 kHz and 40 kHz, for example, through ANTENNA  3 . TRANSMITTER  1  is located in a STRUCTURE  2  such as a house or a garage, for example. ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6  wears RECEIVER  4  that responds to the predetermined containment signal of TRANSMITTER  1 . Unlike the first and second exemplary embodiments discussed above, the ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6  must stay within the BROADCAST FIELD  7 , (50 to 100 feet from ANTENNA  3 , for example). No outer perimeter wire needs to be installed. RECEIVER  4  becomes energized when no containment signal is detected and may emit an annoying sound, a shock, or an annoying sound and a shock to ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6 . Thus, deterring them from crossing the predetermined containment area. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown another alternate portable usage of the present invention. In FIG. 4, TRANSMITTER  1  transmits a predetermined modulated signal of between about 30 kHz and 40 kHz, for example, through ANTENNA  3 . TRANSMITTER  1  is portable and may be placed in an open field, playground, seashore area, etc. ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6  wears RECEIVER  4  that responds to the predestinated containment signal of TRANSMITTER  1 . Unlike the first and second exemplary embodiments, the ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6  must stay within the BROADCAST FIELD  7 , (50 to 100 feet from ANTENNA  3 , for example). No outer perimeter wire needs to be installed. RECEIVER  4  becomes energized when no containment signal is detected and may emit an annoying sound, a shock, or an annoying sound and a shock to ANIMAL  5  and/or HUMAN  6 . Thus, deterring them from crossing the predetermined containment area. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, additional portable transmitters  8  may be placed to extend the containment field. As each additional transmitter  8  generates its own containment field  13 , proper placement of additional transmitters  8 , such that their respective containment fields overlap one another, provides a single larger containment field  30 . The size and shape of the containment field  30  may be adjusted by moving transmitters  1  and/or  8  as desired. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, a block diagram of a transmitter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. In FIG. 6, TRANSMITTER  1  consists of POWER SOURCE  9 , FREQUENCY GENERATOR  10 , MODULATOR  11  and RF AMPLIFIER  12 . A modulated RF signal of between about 30 kHz and 40 kHz, and preferably about 33.4 kHz, for example, is broadcast by TRANSMITTER  1  thought ANTENNA  3  as a containment field signal. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, a block diagram of a receiver and a deterrent circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the exemplary embodiment, RECEIVER  4  includes POWER SUPPLY  14 , ANTENNA  15 , BANDPASS FILTER  16 , AMPLIFIER  17  and DETECTOR  18 , and DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  includes RELAY  19 , AUDIO GENERATOR  20 , MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29 , SWITCHED CAPACITOR POWER SUPPLY  21 , and PROBES  7 . 
     In FIG. 7, POWER SUPPLY  14  (which may be a battery, for example) supplies sufficient power to energize RECEIVER  4 . It is also contemplated that POWER SUPPLY  14  may provide power to SWITCHED CAPACITOR POWER SUPPLY  21 , either directly or through RELAY  19  and MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29 . ANTENNA  15  picks up the modulated RF signal transmitted by TRANSMITTER  1  as the animal nears the outer loop (formed by ANTENNA  3 , for example). The signal then passes through BANDPASS FILTER  16 . BANDPASS FILTER  16  preferably eliminates frequencies above and below those used by the confinement system. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, 34 kHz is chosen as the upper limit of BANDPASS FILTER  16  and 33 kHz is chosen as the lower limit. Alternatively, a pair of band rejection filters having frequencies of 33 kHz and 34 kHz, respectively, may also be used. In general, any filtering scheme capable of limiting the frequency range of the signal passing through the remainder of RECEIVER  4  may be used. 
     Referring again to FIG. 7, the output signal from BANDPASS FILTER  16  is provided as an input to AMPLIFIER  17 . The amplified signal output by AMPLIFIER  17  is sent to DETECTOR  18 . DETECTOR  18 , which may be a phase detector for example, detects the presence of the known frequency (33.4 kHz, for example) of the containment signal sent by TRANSMITTER  1 , and produces, as an output, a control signal  31  to RELAY  19 . RELAY  19  is utilized to trigger AUDIO GENERATOR  20 , which emits an unpleasant sound to the animal (for example, a dog whistle). Additionally, RELAY  19  controls MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29 , which, in turn, controls at least one of several the current paths into SWITCHED CAPACITOR POWER SUPPLY  21 . 
     SWITCHED CAPACITOR POWER SUPPLY  21  produces an output pulse  40  of sufficient voltage and current so as to give the animal a mild electrical shock via PROBE  7 . In the exemplary embodiment, the output pulse  40  may be between about 2 kV and 12 kV depending on the level of shock deterrent desired. In the operation of the present invention, RELAY  19  may be set to operate only AUDIO GENERATOR  20 , MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29 , or a combination of AUDIO GENERATOR  20  and MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29 . 
     DETECTOR  18  may either be set at time of manufacture to activate MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29  only in the presence of the predetermined containment signal (as discussed in the first and second exemplary embodiments), or may be set at time of manufacture to activate MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29  only in the absence of the predetermined containment signal (as discussed in the third and fourth exemplary embodiments). It is also contemplated that the Detector  18  may be set by the user after manufacturing to activate the MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29  based on either the presence or absence of the predetermined containment signal. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment for encasing the RECEIVER  4  and/or DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  within collar  36 . In FIG. 7, DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  (including SWITCHED CAPACITOR POWER SUPPLY  21 ) may be placed in AREA  22  of POUCH  23 , which is part of COLLAR  36 . Lifting FLAP  28  allows access to AREA  22 . Outer SNAP  24  is pressed into inner SNAP  25  to secure RECEIVER  4  and/or DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  within the collar  36 . As mentioned above, RECEIVER  4  is housed separately from POWER SUPPLY  14 . Therefore, in order to encase both DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  and RECEIVER  4 , separate pouches  23  are needed for each. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary embodiment for encasing the RECEIVER  4  and/or DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  within collar  36 . In FIG. 9, DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  may be placed in AREA  22  that is surrounded by POUCH  23 . AREA  22  may be accessed by pulling TAB  27  of ZIPPER  26  to secure RECEIVER  4  and/or DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  within the collar  36 . As above, separate pouches  23  are needed for RECEIVER  4  and DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32 . 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of collar  36  and its components. In FIG. 10, collar BUCKLE  35  is used to secure the collar  36  to the animal  5  or person  6  (not shown). BELT  34  is the outer layer of collar  36  where RECEIVER  4  and DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  are attached. RECEIVER  4  and DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  are electrically connected to one another through WIRES  38 . BELT  34  may be comprised of leather, cloth, nylon, plastic, or any material that has the ability to be fashioned into a collar. 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of collar  36  and its components. In FIG. 11, RECEIVER  4  and DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  are attached to the outside of belt  34 . Electrical connection WIRES  38  are placed between outer BELT LAYER  33  and inner BELT LAYER  37 . PROBES  7  are attached to the outside of inner BELT LAYER  37  to administer an electric shock to the animal  5  or human  6 . 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of yet another exemplary embodiment of collar  36  and its components. In FIG. 12, RECEIVER  4 , DETERRENT CIRCUIT  32  and electrical connection WIRES  38  are placed between outer BELT LAYER  33  and inner BELT LAYER  37 . PROBES  7  are attached to the outside inner BELT LAYER  37  to administer an electric shock to the animal  5  or human  6 . This approach allows COLLAR  36  to be made so as to have a lower profile that collars in which the receiver and power supply are collocated or contained in a single housing. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of SWITCHED CAPACITOR POWER SUPPLY  21 . In FIG. 13, MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29  selectively controls shock deterrent paths  80 ,  81 , and/or  82  (collectively output pulse  40 ) through control signal  86 ,  87  and/or  88 . The selection of shock deterrent paths  80 ,  81 , and/or  82  controlled by MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29  may be set during production. It is also contemplated that the user may determine which shock deterrent paths  80 ,  81 , and/or  82  are controlled by MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29  after manufacture. 
     As shown in FIG. 13, control signals  86 ,  87  and  88 , which are directly related to the rating of power supply  14 , activate one or more of multipliers  83 ,  84 , and  85 . Multipliers  83 ,  84 , and/or  85 , which may include storage capacitors, in response to the control signals  86 ,  87  and  88 , store and multiply energy supplied by POWER SUPPLY  14 , (either directly or via MICROPROCESSOR SHOCK CONTROLLER  29 ) and then release the stored energy when the multiplier approximately reaches a maximum storage level. The released energy is provided to PROBES  7  and produces a shock sufficient to deter the animal or human from leaving the predetermined confinement area (shown in FIGS.  1 - 5 ). When multipliers  83 ,  84 , and/or  85  are connected in series, as shown by interconnections  89 ,  90  and  91 , the level of the deterrent signal is greatly increased. It is contemplated that the multiplication value of each of multipliers  83 ,  84 , and  85  may be between about 200 and 300, and preferably about 222. It is also contemplated that multipliers  83 ,  84  and  85  have a low profile as compared to conventional transformer based designs so as to provide a compact design. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the value of power supply  14  is about 9 volts DC, each control signals  86 ,  87  and  88  has a value of about 9 volts DC, and each multiplier  83 ,  84  and  85  has a multiplication factor of 222. As such, shock deterrent path  80  has a value of about 2 kV, shock deterrent path  81  has a value of about 4 kV (due to the addition of multipliers  83  and  84 ), and shock deterrent path  82  has a value of about 6 kV (due to the addition of multipliers  83 ,  84  and  85 ). 
     Although the above describes a deterrent system contained in a collar, it is contemplated that the deterrent system may be included in a belt or the like for use by a human. 
     As described above, the present invention provides a lower profile collar in which weight and size are more uniformly distributed along the collar of an animal or a belt worn by a human. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.