Abstract:
The pet training device comprises a handheld wireless command module, a wireless receiver module connected to an adjustable collar assembly. The wireless command module is used to select a stimulation mode, stimulation duration, and a stimulation intensity level through the used of one-touch digital switches located on the device front panel. The selected functions are displayed on a LCD. The stimulation commands are transmitted to the wireless receiver module where they are demodulated into control signals that trigger a shock, a vibration, or both. When the wireless receiver is placed in the no-bark mode, the wireless receiver module will generate a shock when triggered by a bark sensor. Power controllers built into both the wireless command module and wireless receiver module optimizes battery life by turning the devices off after a period of inactivity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the Foreign Patent Application having a translated title of, “Apparatus for Animal Training and for the Prevention of Barking”, by the inventors Joon Soo Kim, Ki H. Lee, and Dong J. Lee, having an application number of PATENT-2001-0082740 and a filing date of Dec. 21, 2001. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to an apparatus and a method for animal behavior modification and, more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for animal training and for the prevention of barking. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Animals exhibiting undesirable behavior, such as barking excessively and damaging possessions, typically require behavior modification. Undesirable behavior such as excessive barking is not only irritating to family and neighbors but, in some municipalities, is a violation of city ordinance punishable by fines or removal of the offending animal. Disobedient dogs, for example, present a wide range of potential problems both legal and financial. It is desirable, therefore, to train the offending animal by modifying the undesirable behavior. 
   Typical training includes remote electrical stimulation during the undesirable behavior in order to discourage the animal. Electrical stimulation can be a shock, a vibration, or a combination of both, usually accomplished by attaching a shock and vibration device to the animal by way of a collar. The electrical stimulation can be set to a low level then increased until the behavior modification is accomplished. Conventional training devices use a transmitter with analog controls to set a stimulation mode and level then send the stimulation information via a radio wave to a receiver. The receiver converts the radio waves into signals that will activate the shock and vibration devices. 
   A number of problems exist with analog controls. The first problem is that the analog controls are difficult to set accurately. A second problem with analog controls is that, once set, the setting can be too easily changed by accidentally touching the control. A third problem with analog controls is that they are typically “power hungry” devices, meaning they consume a great deal of power. This is a considerable problem with battery-operated devices. A significant problem with conventional training devices is the absence of a display to provide information to the user. The trainer has to manually check the position of the analog controls to verify the settings. 
   In order to modify behavior, the person performs the training with a remote controlled training device. Often, however, a dog barks when no-one is around. 
   There is a need in the art, therefore, for a device that combines a stimulator function (requiring human activated controls) and a no-bark function (not requiring human interaction) in a single device. Additionally, there is a need to provide feedback to the user while extending battery life by eliminating analog controls. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The wireless training device comprises a handheld wireless command module and a wireless receiver module connected to an adjustable collar assembly. The wireless command module is used to select a stimulation mode, a stimulation duration, and a stimulation intensity level through the use of one-touch digital switches located on the device front panel. The selected functions are displayed on an LCD screen, which provides convenient confirmation of the training program. The stimulation commands are transmitted to the wireless receiver module attached to the animal with an adjustable collar. The adjustable collar maintains the vibration motor and shock electrodes in close proximity to the animal&#39;s vocal cords. The transmitted stimulation commands are demodulated by the receiver module into control signals that trigger a shock, a vibration, or a shock and vibration. When the wireless receiver is placed in the no-bark mode, the wireless receiver module will generate a shock when triggered by a bark sensor. Power controllers built into both the wireless command module and wireless receiver module optimizes battery life by turning the devices off after a period of inactivity. 
   Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art conventional animal training device; 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a transmitter according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a receiver in one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a wireless command module according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram of a transmission message generated by a microprocessor; 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a wireless receiver module according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an illustration of the liquid crystal display (LCD) in one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a functional schematic diagram of the wireless command module according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a functional schematic diagram of the wireless command module showing a detailed view of an RF transmitter module; 
       FIG. 10  is a functional schematic diagram of the wireless receiver module according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a functional schematic diagram of the wireless receiver module showing a detailed view of an RF receiver module; 
       FIG. 12  is a detailed schematic diagram of a shock module; 
       FIG. 13  is a detailed schematic diagram of a vibrate module; 
       FIG. 14  is a detailed schematic diagram of a no-bark module; 
       FIG. 15  is a side view of the wireless command module showing a sealing belt installed on the circumference of the wireless command module; 
       FIGS. 16   a  and  16   b  are flow charts of a receiver method; and 
       FIG. 17  is a transmitter method flow chart. 
   

   These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood when considered with respect to the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein: 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art conventional animal training device. A transmitter shown generally at  1  transmits commands via an antenna  18  to a receiver shown generally at  20 , the receiver comprising a collar  36  with a buckle  35 , an embedded antenna  31 , a signal generator  32 , and a pair of electrodes  34 . The stimulation mode is selected by a 3-position mode selector switch  6 , while the intensity level is adjusted by an analog intensity dial  4 . Once the mode and intensity level has been selected, a trainer selects an instantaneous shock (nick) by pressing an instantaneous button  8  or a continuous shock by pressing a constant button  10 . The instantaneous shock will stimulate the animal for approximately 0.4 seconds. The continuous shock lasts as long as the trainer presses the constant button  10 . 
   When the instantaneous button  8  or constant button  10  is pressed, a microprocessor (not shown) generates control signals that are provided to the modulator for conversion into radio waves for transmission by antenna  18 . 
     FIG. 2  is an illustration of a transmitter  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Also shown is an enlargement of a liquid crystal display (LCD)  107  for displaying shock wave status, the intensity level of the shock wave, type of stimulation (shock and/or vibration), the selected receiver, and the battery status. 
   Receiver selection is accomplished by pressing a receiver selection switch  103 . In the present embodiment, two receivers are designated ORG and BLK. Alternate embodiments include multiple receivers designated by sequential numbers or letters. The method of addressing the receivers will be discussed with reference to the figures which follow. The shock wave level is increased by pressing a level increase switch  105 , while shock wave level is decreased by pressing a level decrease switch  104 . Pressing either level increase switch  105  or level decrease switch  104  will also increment or decrement a digital bar graph by one. Continuously pressing level switches  104  or  105  will continuously increase or decrease the shock wave level and the bar graph by one. Once the desired shock wave level is set, the mode of operation (shock, vibrate, no-bark, or a combination thereof) is controlled by pressing one of a plurality of mode switches  101 ,  102 ,  108 , and  109 . Vibrate output switch  108  selects a vibrate only mode, while vibrate and shock output switch  109  selects vibrate and shock. Shock only mode is selected by continuous output switch  102  or instant output switch  101 . 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a receiver in one embodiment of the present invention. The receiver, shown generally at  200 , comprises a signal generator (wireless receiver module)  210  attached to an adjustable collar assembly  203 , which contains an embedded receiving antenna  201 . Adjustable collar assembly  203  maintains a pair of electrodes  227  and a barking sensor vibrator  217  in contact with the animal. A power switch  211  provides power to the receiver components and, upon receipt of a shut-down command from the microprocessor, turns the power off. 
     FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a wireless command module according to one embodiment of the present invention. A battery  121  provides unregulated voltage to a power controller  122 , which provides regulated voltage to the wireless command module components and shuts off power to the transmitter components upon receipt of a shutdown command. A microprocessor  125  controls operation of the transmitter, generates control signals responsive to a plurality of switches, formats the control signals for transmission, and displays the operating mode on LCD  107 . The microprocessor function may be implemented in various methods, such as operational logic formed in a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or may be integrated with other functions on an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Memory device EEP ROM  124  stores the various operating instructions, the stimulation level, and the microprocessor algorithm. EEP Rom  124  may be implemented in various forms such as non-volatile flash memory. Additionally, EEP ROM  124  may be external to the microprocessor  125 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , or may be formed on the integrated circuit with the processor function. 
   Upon application of power, the microprocessor  125  performs a power-on self test (POST), initializes the transmitter, initializes an inactivity timer, reads the settings of the plurality of switches then reads the previously stored function and intensity level from EEP ROM  124 . After reading the addresses defined by an address setting switch  123 , microprocessor  125  stores the addresses in EEP ROM  124 . In one embodiment of the invention, the addresses defined by address setting switch  123  are set manually by a plurality of dual inline package (DIP) switches. In an alternate embodiment, each address is programmable to allow the user to add addresses as needed. 
   In an alternate embodiment, the transmitter always sends out a specific address for the selected receiver. In this embodiment, the receiver has a plurality of DIP switches to set the receiver address to match the transmitter address. 
   After initialization, microprocessor  125  displays the receiver selection, function, and intensity level on LCD  107 . Additionally battery status is displayed and continuously updated. At this point, the microprocessor  125  waits for the user to press an output switch: instantaneous output switch  101 , continuous output switch  102 , vibrate output switch  108  or vibrate and shock output switch  109 . Once an output switch is pressed, microprocessor  125  generates a formatted transmission message containing the stimulation mode, stimulation intensity level, stimulation duration, and receiver address for processing by a modulation part  127 . 
   Modulation part  127  generates an RF oscillation modulated with the transmission message. The modulated RF oscillation is then filtered by a band-pass filter  128  to remove harmonics and spurious signals outside the desired RF bandwidth. The filtered and modulated RF signal is amplified by a high frequency amplifier  129  for transmission by transmitting antenna  106 . 
     FIG. 5  is a diagram of the formatted transmission message, shown generally at  130 , generated by the microprocessor. A message header  132  contains a binary pattern to identify the start of a signal. A receiver address  136  contains the receiver address that identifies a specific receiver from a plurality of receivers. In one embodiment, the address of the receiver is received by the microprocessor as set by a plurality of DIP switches. Thus, according to a selected receiver, the microprocessor returns a previously specified corresponding address and inserts the address into receiver address  136 . A function data  140  defines the desired stimulation: vibrate, vibrate and shock, instant shock, and continuous shock. In one embodiment, a no-bark function is also specified wherein the receiver module responds with a specified function whenever barking is detected. A stimulation level data  144  contains the desired shock level. A message termination  148  contains binary data that signifies the end of the message. In an alternate embodiment, the duration of the stimulation (i.e., shock and vibrate) is programmable. In this embodiment, the transmission message will contain a duration data part to define the length of stimulation. The length of the transmission message can be extended to accommodate added functionality of alternate embodiments. 
     FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a wireless receiver module according to one embodiment of the present invention. A power switch  211  connects a battery  212  to a power controller  213  which regulates the battery voltage and provides a power off function upon receipt of a shut-down command from a microprocessor  220  generated as the result of the expiration of an inactivity timer. 
   Receiving antenna  201  couples the low level modulated RF signal to a high frequency amplifier  214  which amplifies the low level modulated RF signal to a level suitable for a demodulator  215 . Demodulator  215  separates the transmission message from the RF oscillation and provides the transmission message to a first buffer  216 . First buffer  216  forms the formatted transmission message into a digital format that can be read by microprocessor  220 . 
   Microprocessor  220  controls operation of the wireless receiver module by decoding the digital data received from first buffer  216  to determine if the receiver address matches the internal address. Microprocessor  220  discards the decoded digital data if the receiver address does not match the internal address. If the receiver address is correct, then the function data and stimulation level data are processed and the appropriate stimulation module is activated. If the selected stimulation mode is vibrate, then the microprocessor provides a vibrate control signal to a motor drive  222  which converts the digital vibrate control signal into a waveform suitable for driving a vibration motor  223 . 
   When the stimulation mode is shock, microprocessor  220  provides a shock control signal to a digital-to-analog converter  224  which will convert the digital data into an analog shock waveform. The shock analog waveform is amplified to a predetermined level by a pulse amplifier  225  before being coupled to a high-voltage transformer  226  wherein the shock analog waveform is boosted to a level sufficient to cause a shock. The output of the high-voltage transformer is coupled to a pair of shock electrodes  227  which couple the shock analog waveform to the animal. 
   An operating mode switch (not shown) defines two modes of operation: training and bark prevention. In the bark prevention, i.e., no-bark mode, a bark sensor  217  generates a small signal responsive to the barking. A small signal amplifier  218  amplifies the small signal to a higher level that can be converted to digital data by a second buffer  219 . The output of second buffer  219  is coupled to microprocessor  220 , which analyzes the digital data to determine if the animal barked. If the analysis is positive, wherein the animal did indeed bark, the microprocessor sends a shock control signal which causes a shock in the manner previously described. The no-bark mode, in the present embodiment, will generate a shock at the onset of barking. In an alternate embodiment, a barking threshold is envisioned such that a programmable level of barking is allowable, but once that programmable level is exceeded the microprocessor sends a shock control signal thereby generating the shock. Another embodiment provides for the selection of shock, vibrate, or both, when the no-bark mode is selected. 
   When the operating mode switch is set to the training mode, the microprocessor operates according to commands received from the transmitter as previously described. In an alternate embodiment, the operating mode switch is replaced by a software function wherein a function key on the wireless command module changes the operating mode. The operating mode status is included as an additional data packet in the formatted transmission message. 
     FIG. 7  is an illustration of the liquid crystal display (LCD)  107  of one embodiment of the present invention. An intensity level bar graph  230  shows the selected intensity level. As level decrease switch  104  and level increase switch  105  of  FIG. 2  are pressed, the bar graph level decreases or increases, respectively. A battery status  234  indicates the estimated residual battery power. Graphical symbols  238  and  242  indicate the selected stimulation mode according to the mode selected by output mode switches  108  and  109  of FIG.  2 . Graphical symbol  238  indicates the shock mode has been selected while symbol  242  indicates the vibrate mode has been selected. When the shock and vibrate mode is selected, both graphical symbols  238  and  242  will be on. Receiver selection is indicated by symbols  246  and  250 . Symbol  246 , ORG, indicates that a primary receiver is selected, while symbol  250 , BLK, indicates a secondary receiver has been selected. In an alternate embodiment, the ORG and BLK could be replaced by a plurality of alphanumeric symbols to allow animal names to be programmed into the display. Using this method, the trainer could more easily identify the selected receiver. Symbols  254  and  258  illuminate for a brief period during message transmission to verify the transmission is underway. Symbol  254 , NICK, indicates a shock command is being transmitted, while symbol  258 , STMU, indicates a vibrate command is being transmitted. The inventive wireless command module includes circuitry that defines logic to generate the described display. 
     FIG. 8  is a functional schematic diagram of the wireless command module  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. A power controller  122  performs the power management function as previously described. When first turned on, a command processor module  262  performs a power-on self test (POST), initializes an RF transmitter module  284 , and reads the switch settings defined by a switch interpretation module  276 . During POST, command processor module  262  resets an inactivity timer. This inactivity timer defines the period of time after which command processor module  262  issues a shut-down command to power controller  122 . The inactivity timer is re-set each time a key is pressed. 
   Functional key groups  272  define three functional groups of one-touch switches to control operation of wireless command module  100 . When a one-touch key is pressed, switch interpretation module  276  determines which key was pressed and then provides the information to command processor module  262 . Command processor module  262  updates a display module  280  and adds the selected stimulation mode to the formatted transmission message, if required. If the key pressed was an output switch, i.e. vibrate or shock key, the formatted transmission message is provided to RF transmitter module  284  for transmission via a transmitter antenna  106 . A processor memory  266  stores the command processor module process algorithm, as well as the selected operating mode and receiver address. Processor memory  266  comprises logic circuitry and EEP ROM  124 , as described in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 9  is a functional schematic diagram of the wireless command module  100  showing a detailed view of RF transmitter module  284 . Modulation part  127  comprises a mixer  286  and a local oscillator (LO)  288 . Mixer  286  receives the formatted transmission message from command processor module  262  on line  290 . The LO  288  frequency of oscillation, set to the desired RF carrier frequency, is coupled to mixer  286  where it is mixed to form a modulated RF signal. The modulated RF signal is provided to a filter module  291  wherein frequencies below a low corner frequency and above a high corner frequency are sharply attenuated. The filtered modulated RF signal is coupled to a high frequency (HF) amplifier  129  for transmission via transmitter antenna  106 . 
   In wireless command module  100 , switches are grouped according to function, in which a first functional group  292  comprises a plurality of switches for selecting a receiver address and for defining a plurality of addresses corresponding to the receivers in use. A second functional group  294  comprises a plurality of switches for setting the stimulation mode. A third functional group  296  comprises at least one one-touch switch for setting a stimulation intensity level. The output of each functional group is coupled to switch interpretation module  276  wherein the switch information is encoded for processing by command processor module  262 . Display module  280  comprises logic circuitry and LCD  107  (not shown)., Logic circuitry is for generating graphical symbols responsive to control signals received from command processor module  262 . LCD  107  operates as described in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 10  is a functional schematic diagram of the wireless receiver module  300  according to one embodiment of the present invention. A power controller  213  operates as previously described in  FIG. 6. A  receiver processor module  304  contains logic circuitry to control operation of the wireless receiver module  300  according to program instructions stored in a receiver memory module  308 . In the present embodiment, receiver memory module  308  is formed in EEP ROM external to receiver processor module  304 , however, receiver memory module  308  could be formed in a variety of known formats either internal or external to receiver processor module  304 . Receiver memory module  308  could also be formed in alternate embodiments such as non-volatile flash memory. Receiver processor module  304  also processes digital data, received from an RF receiver module  312  via an antenna  201 , into a plurality of stimulation control signals responsive to the transmitted control commands received from the wireless command module. The stimulation control signals are provided to a shock module  316  and a vibrate module  320 . Shock module  316  processes the shock control signal into a shock analog voltage sufficient to cause a shock to be generated at shock electrodes  227 . Vibrate module  320  processes the vibrate control signal in a waveform sufficient to drive a vibration motor  223 . In the no-bark operating mode, bark sensor  217  provides vibrations, responsive to the barking, to no-bark module  324 . Upon receipt of the vibrations, no-bark module  324  processes the vibrations into a digital signal suitable for processing by receiver processor module  304  which then sends a vibrate control signal to vibrate module  320 , thus preventing barking. 
   Other module  328  anticipates alternate embodiments that may include sonic or ultrasonic functions. Sonic functions may include programmable commands synthesized from the trainer&#39;s voice to control animal behavior. An ultrasonic function would use variable strength sound waves (higher than the human hearing range) to train the animal. 
     FIG. 11  is a functional schematic of the wireless receiver module  200  showing a detailed view of an RF receiver module  312 . The modulated RF signal is coupled to a high frequency (HF) amplifier  214  by receiving antenna  201 . The modulated RF signal is amplified by a fixed gain by HF amplifier  214  and then coupled to a demodulator  215 . Demodulator  215  comprises a mixer  332  and a local oscillator (LO)  336 . LO  336 , oscillating at the selected carrier frequency, is coupled to mixer  332  which separates the amplified modulated RF signal into the carrier frequency and the formatted transmission message. The formatted transmission message is coupled to a first buffer  216  wherein the formatted transmission message is formed into a digital signal suitable for interpretation by a receiver processor module  304 . 
     FIG. 12  is a detailed schematic of the shock module  316  of FIG.  10 . When the stimulation mode is set to shock, receiver processor  304  (not shown) provides a shock control signal by way of line  350  to a digital to analog converter (DAC)  224 , which converts the digital data into an analog shock waveform. The shock analog waveform, provided to a pulse amplifier  225  by way of line  354 , is amplified to a predetermined level by pulse amplifier  225  before being coupled to a high voltage transformer  226 . High voltage transformer  226  boosts the shock analog waveform to a level defined by the turns ratio of the transformer. The output of high voltage transformer  226  is coupled to shock electrodes  227  which couple the shock waveform to the animal. 
     FIG. 13  is a detailed schematic diagram of a vibrate module  320 . When the selected stimulation mode is vibrate, receiver processor module  304  (not shown) generates a vibrate control signal to a vibration motor driver  222  by way of line  362 , which converts the digital vibrate control signal into a waveform suitable for driving a vibration motor  223 . As may be seen, vibration motor  223  includes a non-symmetrical shaped rotating head to generate a vibrating sensation. 
     FIG. 14  is a detailed schematic diagram of no-bark module  324 . In the bark prevention mode, i.e. no-bark mode, a bark sensor  217  generates a small signal responsive to the barking. A small signal amplifier  218  amplifies the small signal to produce an amplified small signal that can be converted to digital data by logic circuitry  358 . In the present embodiment, logic circuitry  358  forms the amplified small signal into digital data for further processing by the receiver processor module. The no-bark mode, in the present embodiment, will generate a shock at the onset of barking. In an alternate embodiment, logic circuitry  358  can be programmed to allow a moderate amount of barking but will trigger an output once the barking crosses a predetermined threshold. Once triggered, logic circuitry  358  generates a bark indicator signal that is provided to the receiver processor module for further processing. Thus, in the alternate embodiment, a barking threshold is envisioned such that a programmable level of barking is allowable but once that threshold is exceeded the receiver processor module generates a shock. In other embodiments, any selected mode and intensity level may define a training response whenever barking is detected above the specified level. 
     FIG. 15  is a side view of the wireless command module  100  showing a sealing belt  370  installed on the circumference of the wireless command module  100 . Exploded view  392  illustrates a lip  396  formed by a frontal cover  374  and a rearward cover  378 . The sealing belt, shown in cross-section  398 , is coated with an adhesive  394  then pressed into lip  396  to form a water resistant seal. Exploded view  382  illustrates the plurality of protrusions  386  extending outwardly from the sealing belt thereby facilitating a good grip. 
     FIGS. 16   a  and  16   b  are flow charts of a receiver method. The transmitted modulated RF signal is received at a receiving antenna (step  400 ). The received signal is demodulated by amplifying and mixing the received RF signal with a local oscillation signal to down-convert the RF to baseband (step  404 ). A first buffer converts the baseband signal into digital signals suitable for processing by a receiver processor module (step  408 ). The receiver processor module extracts the function data (receiver address, stimulation mode, stimulation intensity level, and stimulation duration) from the digital signals (step  412 ). The receiver processor module compares the received receiver address to an address stored internally within the receiver memory module. If the comparison is favorable (i.e., the addresses are identical) the receiver processor module continues to process the function data. The rest of the function data is ignored if the comparison is unfavorable (step  416 ). An inactivity timer is re-set (set to zero) if the receiver address comparison is favorable (step  420 ). 
   After a favorable receiver address comparison, the receiver processor module continues to process the stimulation mode, stimulation intensity level, and stimulation duration to create a plurality of control signals (step  424 ). The plurality of control signals are coupled to a shock module, a vibration module, and a no-bark module responsive to the commands transmitted from a wireless command module. The stimulation duration is determined to be instantaneous or continuous by analyzing a duration control signal (step  428 ). The shock intensity level is set according to the intensity control signal processed from the function data (step  432 ). The stimulation modules generate a shock, a vibration, or a shock and vibration responsive to the plurality of control signals received from the receiver processor (step  436 ). 
   The receiver processor also determines that a no-bark mode of operation is selected (step  440 ). When selected, the no-bark module generates a bark indication signal that is coupled to the receiver processor module (step  444 ). In the no-bark mode of operation, the receiver processor module determines if the bark indication signal exceeds a barking threshold as specified in the digital data (step  448 ). If the barking exceeds the barking threshold, the receiver processor module generates a shock signal, a vibration signal, or a shock and vibration signal to the simulation modules (step  452 ). In the no-bark mode, the inactivity timer is re-set upon the generation of the bark indication signal (step  456 ). Unless re-set by an activity indicating the stimulation module is in-use, the inactivity timer will continue to count up to a predetermined maximum value at which time it will signal the receiver processor module to turn the power controller off in order to save power (step  460 ) 
     FIG. 17  is a transmitter method flow chart. The operating mode is determined by analyzing a plurality of one-touch switches (step  470 ). A receiver address is determined by analyzing the at least one one-touch switch (step  472 ). Each time a switch interpretation module detects a switch depression, an inactivity timer is re-set (step  474 ). Confirmation of the selected operating mode and receiver address is provided by displaying a plurality of graphical symbols on a liquid crystal display (step  476 ). The selected intensity level is shown on the liquid crystal display by displaying a series of axially directed bars of increasing length to reflect increasing intensity level (step  478 ). 
   A selected stimulation duration can be either instantaneous or continuous. The stimulation duration is determined by analyzing a plurality of one-touch switches (step  480 ). In the continuous mode the stimulation will continue as long as a “continuous” one-touch switch is pressed. The instantaneous mode will generate the stimulation for a predetermined period of time. An alternate training mode, a no-bark mode, provides a stimulation (shock, vibration, shock and vibration) whenever barking is detected. The no-bark mode is selected by pressing at least one one-touch switch (step  482 ). 
   The command processor module processes the selected operating modes into function data containing the selected stimulation mode, selected stimulation intensity level, and the selected stimulation duration (step  484 ). The command processor further processes the function data and the selected receiver address into a formatted transmission message containing a message header and a message termination (step  486 ). The formatted transmission message is processed into a radio signal (step  488 ) then transmitted for reception by the selected receiver. The method of processing the formatted transmission message into a radio signal comprises: mixing the formatted transmission message with a local oscillation signal operating at a selected RF frequency to create a modulated RF signal. The modulated RF signal is filtered by a filter module to remove signal components below and above the selected RF frequency. After amplification the processed radio signal is radiated from a transmitting antenna (step  490 ). 
   The command processor module monitors an inactivity timer that continuously increments when the command module is in an active state. Unless the inactivity timer is reset by the command processor, the inactivity will reach a predetermined level, at which time the command processor will generate a shut-down command that instructs the power controller to reduce system power to a minimum (step  492 ). 
   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.