Abstract:
An electronic fence system capable of guiding animals under training to return to a predetermined restricted area. The electronic fence generates electric shocks as the animals attempt to leave the predetermined restricted area and restrains the electrical shock when the animals return to the predetermined restricted area. The electronic fence includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter transmits RF signals having a plurality of control signals such that different shock levels are generated responsive to the location of the animals within the predetermined restricted area. The receiver sets a shock wave level, selectively controls the generation of the electric shock and a high-frequency beep, automatically restrains the generation of the electric shock when an escaped animal returns to the predetermined restricted area, and generates an audible alarm and turns lamps on and off to indicate the location of the animal when it escapes from the predefined restricted area.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS 
     This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application Serial No. 10-2004-0087608, filed Oct. 30, 2004, under 35 U.S.C. 119 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an electronic fence, and more particularly, to an electronic fence capable of guiding animals under training to return to a predetermined restricted area. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
       FIG. 1  shows a conventional electronic fence. In  FIG. 1 , transmitter  100  is connected to a transmission wire antenna  110  for transmitting an electric wave. Transmitter  100  includes an electric shock level control  101  for setting the level of an electric shock to be applied to animals, an antenna checking lamp  102 , a power switch  103 , and a transmitter power level control  104 . 
     The operation of the conventional electronic fence will now be explained. A user turns on the power switch  103  included in the transmitter  100  and operates the shock level control  101  of the transmitter  100  to set the level of the electric shock to be applied to the animals. In addition, the user operates the transmitter power level control  104  to set a predetermined transmitter power level. Then, the transmission wire antenna  110 , included in the electronic fence to prevent the animals from escaping, is operated to generate a signal. 
     In this state, when an animal wearing a receiver approaches the fence, a receiving antenna receives the signal transmitted from the transmitter  100  and a detector demodulates the received signal into the original signal. When the demodulated signal is an electric shock, the receiver generates a electric shock, having the level corresponding to the level of the transmitted signal, through a pair of electrodes. Accordingly, the animal cannot get out of the transmission wire antenna  110 . 
     However, the aforementioned electronic fence generates an electric shock having a constant level when the animal escapes from a restricted area, and thus it is not efficient. Furthermore, the electric shock is generated when the escaped animal returns to the restricted area. Thus, the animal cannot enter the electronic fence due to the electric shock and the animal may run away. 
     When excited, some animals can run at speeds up to 100 Km/hour (62 miles/hour). At these speeds, the animal can escape the restricted area before an electric shock is applied to them. Furthermore, when the animals calm down and return home they typically return at a much slower pace. The conventional electronic fence cannot detect the direction the animals are moving relative to the restricted area and will generated the electronic shock as the animals attempt to enter the restricted area. If an electric shock is given to the animals when they are returning to the restricted area, the animals are deterred from entering the conventional electronic fence and may run away and become lost or injured in car accidents. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the embodiment of the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic fence capable of guiding animals under training to return to a predetermined restricted area, which automatically controls an electric shock level in response to the animals&#39; location within the predetermined restricted area thereby efficiently controlling the animals within the predetermined restricted area. The present invention determines the animal&#39;s direction of travel relative to a plurality of loop antennas defining an internal and external boundary of the electronic fence so as not to generate an electrical shock when an escaped animal returns to the predetermined restricted area. 
     To accomplish this, the embodiment of the present invention includes a transmitter, a receiver, and the plurality of loop antennas. The transmitter transmits a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals over at least a first and a second loop antenna of the plurality of loop antennas such that a plurality of control stimuli are generated in response to the animal&#39;s position within the boundary of the predetermined restricted area. The transmitter further generates a plurality of control signals for indicating a selected receiver function, including at least one of a vibration, a high-frequency beep, and a shock. In response to the received control signals, the receiver sets an electric shock level and determines whether or not a high-frequency beep is generated, selectively controls the generation of the electric shock and high-frequency beep, automatically restrains the generation of the electric shock when an escaped animal returns to the predetermined restricted area, and generates an audible alarm and turns position confirming lamps on and off to indicate the location of the animal visually and aurally when an animal escapes from the predetermined restricted area. 
     The transmitter includes: a power switch for providing power or blocking the supply of power; an AC-DC converter for converting AC power supplied through the power switch into DC power having a predetermined level; a function select switch for selecting a desired receiver function; an electric shock level control for setting the level of the electric shock; a transmitter power level control for controlling a transmitter power level; a frequency output circuit for controlling the transmitter power level under the control of the transmitter power level control; a microprocessor for generating the plurality of control signals that indicate the level set by the electric shock level control and the function selected by the function select switch; an antenna loop confirming lamp, a beep selecting lamp, an electric shock selecting lamp and an automatic selecting lamp for indicating the antenna loop operating state, whether a high-frequency beep is selected, whether the electric shock is selected and whether automatic selection is chosen, respectively, under the control of the microprocessor; a modulation circuit for modulating the plurality of control signals generated by the microprocessor into the RF signals; a loop detecting circuit connected to the modulation circuit to detect a loop error and transmitting the loop error to the microprocessor; and a plurality of loop antennas including at least a first loop antenna and a second loop antenna for radiating the modulated RF signals into space. 
     The receiver includes: a power supply battery; a power controller for regulating the power supply battery output voltage and supplying the regulated output voltage to the receiver or, when the receiver is not used, automatically blocking the regulated output voltage from being supplied to the receiver; a belt for holding the receiver close to the animal; a plurality of receiving antennas for receiving the RF signals transmitted from one of the plurality of loop antennas of the transmitter; an RF amplifier for amplifying the RF signals received by the plurality of receiving antennas to a predetermined level; a detector for down-converting and demodulating the transmitted RF signals; a microprocessor for selectively generating an electric shock level signal, controlling the power supplied to the receiver, generating a sound driver control signal and a lamp driver control signal; a lamp driver for controlling the operations of the position confirming lamps and the operating lamp in response to the lamp driver control signal output from the microprocessor; an amplifier for amplifying the electric shock level signal operably coupled from the microprocessor to a predetermined level; a high-voltage transformer for producing a high voltage and coupling the high voltage to a plurality of electric shock output terminals to output an electric shock; and a sound driver for controlling the operations of a buzzer and a horn according to the sound driver control signal output from the microprocessor. 
     The above-referenced description of the summary of the invention captures some, but not all, of the various aspects of the present invention. The claims are directed to some of the various other embodiments of the subject matter towards which the present invention is directed. In addition, other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional electronic fence; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a transmitter of the electronic fence according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a receiver of the electronic fence according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of the transmitter of the electronic fence according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of the receiver of the electronic fence according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a transmitter  1  of an electronic fence according to the present invention. Transmitter  1  transmits RF signals having a plurality of control signals such that a plurality of control stimuli are generated in response to the position of an animal moving close to the boundary of a predetermined restricted area. In addition, transmitter  1  generates a plurality of control signals for indicating a selected function. 
     The electronic fence of the present invention includes a power switch  2 , a transmitter power level control  3 , an electric shock level control  4  for selecting a shock level over a range from zero to full scale, a function select switch  5 , an antenna loop confirming lamp  6 , a beep selecting lamp  7 , an electric shock selecting lamp  8 , an automatic selecting lamp  9 , and first and second loop antennas  11  and  13 , respectively. 
     Power switch  2  provides power to the transmitter. The transmitter power level control  3  controls a transmitter power level. The electric shock level control  4  sets the level of the electric shock. The function select switch  5  is used to select a desired function: vibration, high-frequency beep, vibration with high-frequency beep, and shock. The antenna loop confirming lamp  6  illuminates to indicate that one of the antenna loops has an error, and a beep selecting lamp  7  indicates whether a high-frequency beep is selected or not. The electric shock selecting lamp  8  and automatic selecting lamp  9  indicate whether the electric shock is selected and whether automatic selection is chosen, respectively. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates receiver  21  of the electronic fence according to the present invention. Receiver  21  includes a belt  22  to connect receiver  21  to the animal, a plurality of electric shock output terminals  23 , a buzzer  24  (internal to receiver  21  thus not shown), a horn  25 , position confirming lamps  26 , and an operating lamp  27 . The receiver  21 , in response to the RF signals transmitted from the transmitter (transmitter  1  of  FIG. 2 ), selectively controls the generation of the electric shock, vibration, and high-frequency beep. In addition, receiver  21  automatically restrains the generation of the electric shock when an escaped animal returns to the predetermined restricted area and, when an animal escapes from the predetermined restricted area, generates the audible alarm and turns the position confirming lamps on and off to indicate the location of the animal both visually and aurally.  FIG. 3B  illustrates a side view of receiver  21  and of collar  22 . Specifically,  FIG. 3B  illustrates one embodiment of the invention with a set of orthogonal receiving antennas  28 . As may also be seen, orthogonal antennas  28 , in one embodiment, are operable to rotate as a unit about a pivot point where the antennas couple to the collar  22  of receiver  21 . In operation, the orthogonal antennas are rotated about the pivot point to facilitate the receiver  21  determining relative location of the animal with respect to at least two radiating loops of the electronic fence to facilitate the ability of logic to determine whether a dog is entering or exiting the areas defined by the loop(s) of the electronic fence or, more generally, the location of the animal for all purposes described herein. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of the transmitter of the electronic fence according to the present invention. Transmitter  1  includes a power switch  2 , a transmitter power level control  3 , a electric shock level control  4 , a function select switch  5 , an antenna loop confirming lamp  6 , a beep selecting lamp  7 , an electric shock selecting lamp  8 , an automatic selecting lamp  9 , an AC-DC converter  10 , a first loop antenna  11 , a second loop antenna  13 , a modulation circuit  14 , a loop detecting circuit  15 , a microprocessor  16 , and a frequency output circuit  17 . 
     When power switch  2  is turned on, AC-DC converter  10  converts input AC power into DC power at a predetermined level and supplies the DC power to the transmitter. 
     When the microprocessor  16  is provided with DC power, it initializes the circuits of transmitter  1  and then places the transmitter into a transmit state in which the transmitter transmits a plurality of RF signals to the receiver (receiver  21  of  FIG. 3 ). In this transmit state, when a user operates electric shock level control  4  for setting the electric shock level, a corresponding electric shock level control signal is sent to a central processing unit (CPU)  16   d  of microprocessor  16  through an input controller  16   c . Subsequently, when the user operates function select switch  5  to select one of vibration only, high-frequency beep only, vibration and high-frequency beep, or shock, a corresponding function select control signal is sent to CPU  16   d  of microprocessor  16  through input controller  16   c  and a function lamp, (i.e., beep selecting lamp  7 , electric shock selecting lamp  8 , and automatic selecting lamp  9 ) is turned on in response to the selected function so that the user can easily recognize the selected function. 
     CPU  16   d  of microprocessor  16  stores the plurality of control signals until it determines that function selection is complete. At this time, CPU  16   d  operably couples the plurality of control signals to encoder  16   a . The encoder arranges the plurality of control signals into serial data signal suitable for transmission having a start signal, an address signal, function key data, electric shock level data, and a stop signal. Encoder  16   a  operably couples the serial data signal to modulation circuit  14  when microprocessor  16  determines that the user&#39;s operation is completed. Stated differently, microprocessor  16  encodes the plurality of control signals into the serial data signal when the user has completed adjustment of one of the function select switch, the electric shock level control, and the transmitter power level control. 
     Modulation circuit  14  modulates the serial data signal into RF signals using a local oscillation frequency, as is known to one of average skill in the art. The RF signals are radiated into space through the first loop antenna  11  and second loop antenna  13 . The loop detecting circuit  15  is operably coupled to modulation circuit  14  and detects when the loop antenna is not working properly or not connected. When an error is detected, loop detecting circuit  15  sends a signal microprocessor  16  in order to halt transmitter operation. Microprocessor  16  responds by turning on antenna loop confirming lamp  6 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of the receiver of the electronic fence according to the present invention. Receiver  21  includes a power supply battery  36 , a power controller  37 , a plurality of receiving antennas  28 , a RF amplifier  29 , a detector  30 , a microprocessor  31 , a lamp driver  32 , an amplifier  33 , a high-voltage transformer  34 , and a sound driver  35 . Microprocessor  31  includes an input port  31   a , a light controller  31   b , a level controller  31   c , a sound controller  31   d , and a central processing unit (CPU)  31   e.    
     The power controller  37  regulates the output voltage of the power supply battery  36  and supplies the regulated voltage to the receiver. When the receiver is not used for a period of time, power controller  37  automatically limits the power supplied to the receiver to conserve power. The plurality of receiving antennas  28  receives the RF signals transmitted from the transmitter (transmitter  1  of  FIG. 2 ). At least two of the plurality of receiving antennas  28  are positioned at right angles (90 degrees) to each other. This allows receiver  21  to determine the animals approach to the electronic fence from any direction, i.e., increases the receiver sensitivity to the first and second loop antennas of the transmitter (transmitter  1  of  FIG. 2 ). RF amplifier  29 , operably coupled to receive the RF signals from the plurality of receiving antennas  28 , amplifies the RF signals to a predetermined level. The amplified RF signals are operably coupled to detector  30  that down-converts and demodulates the RF signals into the original serial data signal, as is known by one of average skill in the art. Detector  30  operably couples the demodulated serial data signal to input port  31   a  of microprocessor  31 . Input port  31   a  decodes the demodulated serial data signal into the original start signal, address signal, function key data, shock wave level data, and stop signal and produces the function key data and shock wave level data to CPU  31   e  for processing. 
     CPU  31   e , in response to the shock wave level control data, selectively generates a parallel bit word to level controller  31   c  that converts the parallel bit word into the electric shock level signal that is produced to amplifier  33 . Amplifier  33  amplifies the electric shock level signal to the predetermined level. The high-voltage transformer  34  boosts the amplified electric shock level signal coupled from amplifier  33  to the high voltage and couples the high voltage to the plurality of electric shock output terminals  23  to produce the electric shock. 
     CPU  31   e  of microprocessor  31  selectively controls the power supplied to the receiver by power controller  37 , generates the sound driver control signal, and the lamp driver control signal in response to the function key data operably coupled from input port  31   a . Lamp driver  32  controls the operation of a position confirming lamp  26  that turns on and off when the animal escapes and an operating lamp  27  that indicates the receiver is operating normally. Sound driver  35  controls the operations of a buzzer  24  and a horn  25  according to the sound driver control signal operably coupled from microprocessor  31  via sound controller  31   d . Buzzer  24  produces a vibration that is used as a warning signal to control the animal when it approaches the first loop antenna. The vibration may be used alone or may be used in conjunction with the electric shock and high-frequency beep to control the animal. 
     When the RF signals radiated through the transmitter first and second loop antennas (first loop antenna  11  and second loop antenna  13  of  FIG. 2 ) are received by the plurality of receiving antennas  28 , the function key data are received and processed by receiver  21  that generates one of the lamp driver control signal, the electric shock level signal, and the sound driver control signal when an animal wearing receiver  21  approaches the first or second loop antenna (first loop antenna  11  and second loop antenna  13  of  FIG. 2 ). 
     In the operation of the electronic fence, microprocessor  31  of receiver  21  receives the output signal of detector  30  to determine whether the receiver has received a signal from the transmitter. Here, the operation of receiver  21  depends on whether the received signal is the output signal of the first loop antenna  11  or the output signal of the second loop antenna  13 . For example, when receiver  21  receives the output signal of the first loop antenna  11  first, the receiver judges that an animal is approaching the boundary of the predetermined restricted area in an attempt to get out of the area and operates only the sound driver  35  to generate at least one of the vibration warning through buzzer  24  and the high-frequency beep through the horn  25 , depending on the function key data received from the transmitter. 
     When the animal approaches the boundary of the predetermined restricted area while the vibration is being generated, the microprocessor  31  generates a signal to controller  31 C that generates the electric shock level signal sufficient for a low level electric shock. The electric shock level signal is amplified by the amplifier  33  to the predetermined level and then operably coupled to high-voltage transformer  34 . High-voltage transformer  34  boosts the amplified signal to a high voltage and applies the high voltage to the plurality of electric shock output terminals  23  such that the low level (i.e., weak) electric shock is generated to stimulate the neck of the animal. Accordingly, as long as the animal does not continue to move forward toward the predetermined restricted area then the generated electric shock is weak. 
     If the animal continues to move forward toward the predetermined restricted area even when the weak electric shock is being generated, the receiver will receive a signal from the second loop antenna  13 . In this condition, the microprocessor  31  generates the electric shock level signal for a high level shock based on the setting of the transmitter electric shock level control. Level controller  31   c  generates a high level electric shock level signal that is amplified by amplifier  33  to the predetermined level and then operably coupled to high-voltage transformer  34 . High-voltage transformer  34  boosts the amplified signal to a high voltage suitable to generate the high level shock and applies the high voltage to the plurality of electric shock output terminals  23  such that a high level electric shock is generated to stimulate the neck of the animal. Accordingly, the animal is stimulated to move away from the second loop antenna and thus remain within the predetermined restricted area. In one embodiment of the invention, the first (inner) loop antenna is positioned a specific distance of approximately two yards from the second (outer) loop antenna. Further, the full scale level of electric shock is 1500 volts in one embodiment of the invention based upon transmissions from the second loop antenna. 
     When receiver  21  receives the signal of the second loop antenna (second loop antenna  13  of  FIG. 2 ) and then receives the signal of the first loop antenna (first loop antenna  11  of  FIG. 2 ), the receiver determines that the escaped animal is attempting to return to the predetermined restricted area so receiver  21  restrains the generation of the electric shock and the audible alarm. When the receiver no longer receives the signal of the first loop antenna, the receiver determines that the animal has returned to the predetermined restricted area, stops the generation of the electric shock and the audible alarm signal, and returns to its initial state. 
     However, when the receiver no longer receives the signal of the second loop antenna after first receiving the signal of the second loop antenna and the animal is receiving the strongest electric shock, the receiver  21  judges that the animal has escaped from the predetermined restricted area and operates horn  25  through the sound driver  35  to generate a loud sound so that the user can aurally confirm the location of the animal. Additionally, when microprocessor  31  determines that the animal has escaped, it sequentially illuminates position confirming lamps  26  to assist the owner in locating the animal. 
     When the escaped animal returns to the predetermined restricted area and the receiver again receives the signal of the second loop antenna, the receiver restrains the generation of the electric shock and the alarm signal such that the animal can return to a position within the predetermined restricted area. 
     Additionally, microprocessor  31  checks an inactivity timer using an internally stored program. Specifically, the microprocessor  31  starts counting time from the moment the receiver is last used. When the counted time exceeds a predetermined period of time (5 hours, for example), microprocessor  31  automatically generates a power controller signal to power controller  37 . Power controller  37  reduces the output voltage to receiver  21  to reduce power consumption. 
     The embodiment of the present invention includes a luminous reflection belt (belt  22  of  FIG. 3 ) in order to make the escaped animal more visible at night. This reflective belt is helpful in locating the animal. For example, if the battery is out of charge resulting in the audible alarm and position confirming lamps becoming substantially inoperable, the reflective collar facilitates the animal being seen at night from a distance. 
     As described above, the electronic fence of the present invention sets an electric shock level in response to the position of an animal moving close to the boundary of a predetermined restricted area. Thus, the animal can be restrained from escaping from the predetermined restricted area without giving an excessive electric shock to the animal. Furthermore, the present invention can generate an extremely loud sound and bright lights through receiver  21  connected to belt  22  the animal wears so that the location of the animal can be easily detected when the animal gets out of the predetermined restricted area. Moreover, the present invention can restrain the generation of electric shock when the escaped animal returns to the predetermined restricted animal and thus the animal can come back safely. 
     The invention disclosed herein is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. Specific embodiments therefore have been shown by way of example in the drawings and detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.