Abstract:
An animal behavior modification kit including a collar mountable receiver and a plurality of circuit boards. The collar mountable receiver has a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal. Each of the plurality of circuit boards are selectively mechanically connectable to both the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal. The plurality of circuit boards include at least one electrical component having an electrical characteristic. The electrical characteristic of each of the plurality of circuit boards being different.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/389,003, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING THE CORRECTION LEVEL OF AN ANIMAL TRAINING RECEIVER”, filed Mar. 24, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to animal training systems, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for adjusting the correction level or range of correction levels of an animal training receiver. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Stimulus collars for animal training, particularly dog training, are known which can provide a variety of stimuli to the animal to encourage a trained response by the animal, and/or to discourage an inappropriate response. Such stimuli can include electrical, sound and vibrational stimuli, for example. In the case of an electrical stimulus, a collar worn receiver typically includes a pair of electrodes, which can deliver the electrical stimulus to a dog&#39;s neck. The receiver energizes the electrodes responsive to a transmitter. Examples of such a transmitter can include a remote training transmitter hand operated by a human trainer, a containment transmitter and an avoidance transmitter. For a bark control collar, a collar worn receiver may receive audio or vibration signals from a microphone or transducer attached or connected to the receiver unit or the collar. 
         [0006]    When activated by an appropriate signal from a corresponding transmitter or transducer, electrical stimulation is provided to a dog, for example, through the collar worn receiver electrodes which are in contact with some part of the dog&#39;s neck. In order to accommodate differences between breeds, individual dog temperament, training conditions, etc., it is advantageous to provide a wide range of possible stimulation, which range is selectable at the transmitter by the trainer. For example, the general difference in coat/skin of one breed versus another breed may provide a general difference in contact resistance, which can generally make a given breed more correctable at a lower electrical stimulation than another breed which has a thicker coat with a downy underlayer, for example. Further, a relatively strong willed dog may require more stimulation for a given training condition than a more amenable dog. Although the proper use of such electronic collars is a very effective, efficient, and humane way to train or control dogs (or other animals such as monkeys and horses) for a variety of purposes, such as general obedience, performance trials, hunting, herding, and police work, to be most effective and humane, it is important that electronic stimulus collars are able to reliably and consistently apply the intended degree of stimulus to the skins of a wide variety of dogs under a wide variety of conditions. 
         [0007]    For example, training conditions can play a large role in determining the amount of stimulation necessary for a given dog. Skin and fur conditions can range from very dry and nearly electrically nonconductive to very wet and highly conductive. The fur of a dog running through wet cover conditions or jumping into a pond or creek, for example, during retrieval training or bird hunting, may be nearly electrically nonconductive during the early part of a training procedure or hunt and very wet and conductive during a later part thereof. Consequently, a low shock level in such a situation may be transformed, because of the skin and fur conditions brought on by the training circumstance, to a relatively high and perhaps unacceptable or inappropriate stimulus level. 
         [0008]    Failure to deliver an appropriate stimulus at precisely the correct time in a dog training situation can result in a confused, poorly trained animal, and may also reverse previous training accomplishments. Consequently, the reliability of providing an intended electrical stimulus level to the skin of the dog under a wide variety of conditions (eg., of collar tightness, thickness and wetness of fur, general sensitivity of the particular dog to electrical stimulus, and the presence of distracting influences or occurrences) is quite critical to the overall effectiveness of electronic stimulus collars and the associated training techniques. 
         [0009]    The receivers of modern electronic collars quite often can be programmed to deliver one of several levels of stimulation for a given collar receiver input, or in the case of remote training systems, one of several levels of stimulation may be selectable by the human trainer using pushbuttons, or other command input devices. For a particular dog on which an electronic stimulus collar is being used for the first time, the lowest level stimulation signal may be applied to the neck of the dog. If the dog does not appear to have noticed the stimulation (for example, the dog does not change head position or ear posture, cock its head, or exhibit an involuntary muscle twitch), a higher stimulation level can be selected until a threshold stimulus level is established for that dog, as evidenced by one of the above reactions. Stimulus intensity thereafter is varied in noticeable increments by depressing the various intensity controls on the remote transmitter or by reprogramming the receiver collar as required by the particular training circumstance. However, such electronic collars are limited to a discrete number of stimulation levels which, given a particular dog, training objective and training conditions, may not provide an adequate selectable range of stimulation. 
         [0010]    The electrodes of an electronic collar are typically connected to the secondary winding of a transformer within the collar&#39;s receiver, and the electrodes and the animal&#39;s contact resistance between the electrodes represents a load to the transformer. When the primary winding of the transformer is appropriately energized, the secondary winding provides an electrical stimulation to the load, i.e., the animal. A greater electrical load resistance effectively reduces the electrical stimulation, so that one way of changing stimulation levels is to change the load resistance, as opposed to changing the characteristics of the electrical energy provided to the primary winding. 
         [0011]    A resistive electrode structure for an electronic stimulus collar is known which includes a base attached to a connecting element of the electronic stimulus collar. An electrode of the resistive electrode structure includes a tip adapted to supply electrical stimulus to the skin of an animal. A resistive material is electrically connected between a conductor for electrical connection to an output of the electronic stimulus collar and the electrode. This resistance effectively increases the load resistance presented to the secondary winding and accordingly modifies the stimulation level delivered to the animal for a given electrical input to the transformer primary winding. Various such resistive electrode structures which have various resistances can be interchangeably connected to the electronic stimulus collar to vary the level of stimulus applied to the skin of the animal. Therefore, if the electronic stimulus collar inherently has three selectable or programmable stimulation levels, and if there are five different resistive electrode structures available each with a different electrical resistance, the number of electrical stimulation levels has now increased from three to fifteen (three times five), for example. 
         [0012]    Problems with such a resistive electrode structures are that the electrodes are relatively difficult and expensive to manufacture, and can be unreliable. Another problem with these resistive electrode structures is that they can be difficult to distinguish from a non-resistive electrode since the resistor is embedded within the electrode. Another problem with these resistive electrode structures is that electrodes in general can be provided in different lengths to accommodate for different fur thicknesses, which multiplies the number of resistive electrodes required. Yet another problem is that a damaged resistor within the electrode, such as an electrical short or open, is not readily apparent, which increases the risk of an inappropriate correction level. 
         [0013]    What is needed in the art is a way of increasing the resistance between an electronic collar&#39;s output terminals, which does not embed resistive elements into the electrodes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention provides a receiver for an animal training collar with a circuit board on the outside of the receiver housing and between the electrodes and the housing, which circuit board includes a resistor electrically connected between one of the receiver electrode terminals and an electrode. 
         [0015]    The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an animal behavior modification kit including a collar mountable receiver and a plurality of circuit boards. The collar mountable receiver has a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal. Each of the plurality of circuit boards are selectively mechanically connectable to both the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal. The plurality of circuit boards include at least one electrical component having an electrical characteristic. The electrical characteristic of each of the plurality of circuit boards being different. 
         [0016]    An advantage of the present invention is that it increases the levels of stimulation available to an electronic animal training collar. 
         [0017]    Another advantage of the present invention is that it is cost effective to manufacture. 
         [0018]    Yet other advantages of the present invention is that it is easy to install and use. 
         [0019]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is reliable in service. 
         [0020]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it does not require a specialized electrode structure, particularly with an internal resistor. 
         [0021]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it can be used with a variety of animal training systems. 
         [0022]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it can be used with a variety of receivers which are part of an animal training system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a partially fragmentary top view of a prior art electrical stimulus collar; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a partially fragmentary top view of an embodiment of an electrical stimulus collar including a receiver according to the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is an electrical schematic view of the prior art electrical stimulus collar of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is an electrical schematic view of the electrical stimulus collar of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a partially fragmentary top view of the receiver of  FIG. 2 , including a circuit board according to the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the circuit board of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is an electrical schematic view of another embodiment of a receiver according to the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a containment type animal training system according to the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of an avoidance type animal training system according to the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of a remote training type animal training system according to the present invention; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a view of a kit of circuit boards of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0035]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a prior art training collar assembly  20  which generally includes a receiver  22 , collar  24  and electrodes  26 . Electrodes  26  are connected to receiver housing  28  at electrode terminals  30 . 
         [0037]    Receiver  22  can include a receiver antenna to receive a transmitted signal, where the antenna is connected to a demodulator which is connected to a receiver controller. Depending on the transmitted/received signal, the controller can actuate a electrical stimulus switch  32  which is connected to the controller, and which electrical stimulus switch  32  in turn energizes transformer  34  and electrodes  26 . The controller can further be connected to, and can actuate a tone switch which is connected to and activates an enunciator; and/or a vibration switch which is connected to and activates a vibrational element. 
         [0038]    In contrast, the present invention provides an animal training collar assembly  40  (see FIGS.  2  and  4 - 6 ), which includes a receiver  42  with collar  44 , which has a receiver housing  46  including a first electrode terminal  48  and a second electrode terminal  50 , each accessible from an outside of receiver housing  46 . Receiver  42  is similar to receiver  22  previously described, but additionally includes a circuit board  52  connected to first electrode terminal  48  and second electrode terminal  50  on the outside of receiver housing  46 . A first electrode  54  is directly electrically connected to first electrode terminal  48 . An impedance element  56  is mounted on circuit board  52 . Impedance element  56  has a first impedance terminal  58  and a second impedance terminal  60 . First impedance terminal  58  is directly electrically connected to second electrode terminal  50 . A second electrode  62  is directly electrically connected to second impedance terminal  60 . 
         [0039]    By using circuit board  52  with impedance element  56  between second electrode terminal  50  and second electrode  62 , the stimulation levels can be adjusted as appropriate for the training circumstance. Impedance element  56  can be an electrical resistor, such as a surface mount resistor as shown. Resistor  56  can have a resistance value in a range of approximately between 10Ω (ohm) and 2 MΩ. More particularly, the resistance value can be 30Ω, 30 kΩ, 100 kΩ, 300 kΩ and 1 MΩ, and five separate circuit boards  52  can be provided each with a respective impedance element  56  with a respective resistance value. As training conditions or requirements change, a particular circuit board  52  can be selected and installed to receiver  42 , with a respective value of resistance for impedance element  56 . Each circuit board  52  includes a plurality of electrical traces  64 , and/or a plated through hole(s)  66  electrically interconnecting impedance element  56 , second impedance terminal  60  and second electrode  62 . Plated through hole  66  connects to another electrical trace  67  on the opposite side of circuit board  52 , and this trace is connected to second electrode terminal using screw  68 . Adhesive material  69  protects impedance element and  56  and swaged stud  65 . Alternatively, material  69  can be a potting material or other protective coating. 
         [0040]    Alternatively, impedance element  70  ( FIG. 7 ) can include a plurality of resistors  72  which are switch  74  selectable individually, collectively and/or some combination thereof. Further, impedance elements  56  and/or  70  can have a complex value of impedance such as is the case of a series combined resistor and capacitor. Impedance elements  56  and/or  70  can include any series and/or parallel combination of resistors, capacitors and/or inductors. Impedance elements  56  and/or  70  can include variable elements such as a variable capacitor. 
         [0041]    The present invention can be used in an animal training system  80  ( FIG. 8 ), which includes transmitter  82  connected to a containment loop type antenna  84 . Animal training system  80  is configured as a containment type animal training system. Transmitter  82  can include a controller connected to a modulator, which is connected to and sends signals to antenna  84 . Receiver  42  on collar  44  worn by animal or dog  86 , receives the wireless signal provided by antenna  84  and provides a correction to dog  86  when dog  86  is too near the electromagnetic boundary established by antenna  84  and transmitter  82 . 
         [0042]    The present invention can be used in an animal training system  90  ( FIG. 9 ), which includes transmitter  92  connected to an avoidance type antenna  94 . Animal training system  90  is configured as an avoidance type animal training system. Transmitter  92  can include a controller connected to a modulator, which is connected to and sends signals to antenna  94 . Receiver  42  on collar  44  worn by animal or dog  96 , receives the wireless signal provided by antenna  94  and provides a correction to dog  96  when dog  96  is too near the electromagnetic avoidance zone  98  established by antenna  94  and transmitter  92 . 
         [0043]    The present invention can be used in an animal training system  100  ( FIG. 10 ) which includes transmitter  102  connected to a remote training type antenna  104 . Animal training system  100  is configured as a remote training type animal training system. Transmitter  102  can include a controller connected to a modulator which is connected to and sends signals to antenna  104 . Receiver  42  on collar  44  worn by animal or dog  106 , receives the wireless signal provided by antenna  104  and provides a correction to dog  106  as required by human trainer  108 . Transmitter  102  can include a command input device, connected to the controller, and accessible to trainer  108 , to facilitate training command input to transmitter  102  by trainer  108 . 
         [0044]    Additionally, receiver  42  can be included on a bark control collar. 
         [0045]    In use, the present invention provides a method of providing different levels of stimulation in a receiver  42  for an animal training collar, comprising the steps of: providing a receiver  42  including a receiver housing  46  having a first electrode terminal  48  and a second electrode terminal  50  each accessible from an outside of receiver housing  46 ; selecting an impedance element  56 , impedance element  56  having a first impedance terminal  58  and a second impedance terminal  60 , first impedance terminal  58  directly connected to second electrode terminal  50 ; mounting impedance element  56  on a circuit board  52 ; and connecting circuit board  52  to first electrode terminal  48  and second electrode terminal  50  on the outside of receiver housing  46  and between a pair of electrodes  54 ,  62  and housing  46 . The pair of electrodes  54 ,  62  can include a first electrode  54  and a second electrode  62 , and the method can further include the step of directly electrically connecting first electrode  54  to first electrode terminal  48 . Impedance element  56  can include a first impedance terminal  58  and a second impedance terminal  60 , and the method can further include the step of directly electrically connecting second electrode  62  to second impedance terminal  60 . 
         [0046]    Now, additionally referring to  FIG. 11  there is shown a kit carrier  114 , which carries numerous circuit boards  52 . Circuit boards  52  are associated with kit carrier  114  and include a first circuit board  118 , a second circuit board  120 , a third circuit board  122 , a fourth circuit board  124  and a fifth circuit board  126 . Although five circuit boards  52  are illustrated, other quantities for kit  114  are also contemplated. Circuit boards  118  through  126  each include an identifier  116  to give a quick visual indication as to an electrical characteristic of a respective circuit board  52 . Holes  110  and  112  extend through circuit board  52 , thereby allowing first electrode  54  to mechanically secure circuit board  52  to electrode terminal  48 . Screw  68  also known as an electrical connection  68  electrically connects electrical terminal  50  to electrical trace  67  of circuit board  52 . This construct results in first electrode  54  mechanically securing circuit board  52  to receiver  42  and electrical connector  68  mechanically and electrically securing circuit board  52  to receiver  42 . As can be seen in  FIG. 11 , the positioning of stud  65  can vary in its distance from hole  112 . For example, circuit boards  118  and  120  locate stud  65  at one position and circuit boards  122  and  124  locate stud  65  in another location. Second electrode  62  is closer to first electrode  54  than electrode terminal  48  is to electrode terminal  50 . 
         [0047]    One of circuit boards  52  is selected from kit carrier  114  to be the selected circuit board  52 , which is connected to receiver  42 . The selection of one of circuit boards  52  is made based on a desired stimulation to the animal and is selected depending upon the identifying character  116  as it relates to the electrical characteristic of impedance element  56 . Impedance element  56 , which may be a resistor  56 , alters the electrical energy delivered to electrodes  54  and  62  and thereby modifies animal training collar assembly  40 . Indicators  116  may include an alphanumeric character, a color and/or a symbol that is associated with the differant electrical characteristics of each circuit board  52 . For example, circuit board  118  may have a resistor  56  having the highest resistive value with each succeeding circuit board  52  having a reduced resistance for resistor  56 . Once a circuit board  52  is selected, it is then mechanically secured to first electrode terminal  48  and is mechanically and electrically connected to second electrode terminal  50 . 
         [0048]    Impedance element  56  absorbs and/or dissipates some of the energy that passes therethrough and is generally placed in series between second electrode terminal  50  and second electrode  62 . The present inventive method provides for the selective modification of the location of electrodes and alters the energy delivered by the electrodes to the animal. The locating of the electrodes closer together and the reduction in the stimulation level can be desirable co-features when the present invention is used on small animals. 
         [0049]    While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.