Patent Publication Number: US-2023140858-A1

Title: Universal stimulation connection test apparatus for animal electronic collars

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to animal behavior modification systems, and, more particularly, to animal behavior modification systems which apply an electrical shock to an animal. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Electronic collars (which can be referred to as e-collars or e-collar assemblies) have been used to modify the behavior of animals, such as dogs (though dogs are referenced primarily herein, it can be appreciated that such collars can be used to modify the behavior of other animals as well). Such e-collars include a collar, which is worn by the dog, together with a stimulation unit attached to the collar. The stimulation unit can include a housing and a pair of electrodes, the housing being formed as a box housing electrical components therein, the electrodes extending externally relative to the box, the stimulation unit being able to selectively apply an electric current between the electrodes in order to render an electric shock to the dog&#39;s skin so as to modify the dog&#39;s behavior, without harming the dog. For example (and not by way of limitation, the e-collar can be used, for example, in conjunction with a containment system so to contain the dog within certain boundaries of a containment area, rendering an electronic shock to the dog when the dog encroaches upon the boundary of the containment area. Alternatively, the e-collar can be used with a hand-held transmitter which a dog owner or trainer, for example, uses to send a signal to the e-collar so as to cause the e-collar to emit an electrical shock to the dog. 
     However, such e-collars are useful so long as the e-collar actually emits the electrical charge to the dog&#39;s skin. This may not occur for various reasons. For example, a strap of the collar may be too loose, such that the electrodes do not make good contact with the skin of the dog. Further, the stimulation unit may be improperly located on the collar, the dog may have excessively dry skin, or contact points of the electrodes may otherwise not be oriented correctly and thus may not be making good electrical contact with the dog&#39;s skin. Known is a device that includes electrical components within the housing of the stimulation unit (this stimulation unit including the pair of electrodes, as indicated) that enables the dog owner or trainer (the user) to test whether the e-collar is properly installed on the dog such that the stimulation unit is making adequate electrical contact with the dog&#39;s skin by way of the electrodes so as to render an adequate electrical shock to the dog. 
     However, problems exist with such designs. For example, some users may not wish to have the additional feature of being able to perform the test, and thus may not wish to incur the additional expense for the additional feature. Others, however, may wish to have the feature of being able to perform the test but may need to perform such tests on various dogs each wearing an e-collar with a stimulation unit. Others may wish to have the feature of being able to perform the test but for various reasons may not wish this feature to be a part of the stimulation unit of the e-collar. Others may wish to have the feature of being able to perform the test and may wish to do so with their existing e-collar. 
     What is needed in the art is a device for testing the electrical connectivity of the stimulation unit of an e-collar assembly without this device being housed within the stimulation unit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a stimulation connection test apparatus of an e-collar assembly, the test apparatus being physically separate from the stimulation unit. 
     The invention in one form is directed to an apparatus of an animal behavior modification assembly for modifying a behavior of an animal, the animal behavior modification assembly including a collar device and a stimulation apparatus attached to the collar device, the apparatus including: a stimulation connection test apparatus configured for: being attached to the collar device, which is configured for being worn by the animal; being electrically coupled with the stimulation apparatus, which is configured for including a plurality of electrodes and for providing an electrical stimulation to the animal; determining whether the plurality of electrodes are adequately electrically coupled with the animal; and being spaced apart from the stimulation apparatus. 
     The invention in another form is directed to an animal behavior modification system, including: an animal behavior modification assembly configured for modifying a behavior of an animal, the animal behavior modification assembly including: a collar device configured for being worn by the animal; a stimulation apparatus attached to the collar device, the stimulation apparatus including a plurality of electrodes configured for providing an electrical stimulation to the animal; and a stimulation connection test apparatus attached to the collar device and electrically coupled with the stimulation apparatus and configured for determining whether the plurality of electrodes are adequately electrically coupled with the animal, the stimulation connection test apparatus being spaced apart from the stimulation apparatus. 
     The invention in yet another form is directed to a method for modifying a behavior of an animal, the method including the steps of: providing an animal behavior modification assembly including a collar device, a stimulation apparatus, and a stimulation connection test apparatus, the collar device configured for being worn by the animal, the stimulation apparatus being attached to the collar device and including a plurality of electrodes configured for providing an electrical stimulation to the animal; and determining, using the stimulation connection test apparatus attached to the collar device and electrically coupled with the stimulation apparatus, whether the plurality of electrodes are adequately electrically coupled with the animal, the stimulation connection test apparatus being spaced apart from the stimulation apparatus. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the stimulation connection test apparatus can be selectively attached to various collars of an e-collar assembly and used in conjunction with a stimulation unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an animal behavior modification system, the system including a transmitter and an animal behavior modification assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic electrical circuit diagram of the animal behavior modification assembly of  FIG.  1   , with portions broken away; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic view of the animal behavior modification assembly, with portions broken away; and 
         FIG.  4    is a flow diagram showing a method for modifying a behavior of an animal, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     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 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG.  1   , there is shown an animal behavior modification system  100  which generally includes a transmitter  101  and an animal behavior modification assembly  102  (which can be referred to as an electronic collar  102 , or an e-collar  102 ) configured for modifying a behavior of an animal, which includes a collar device  103 , a stimulation apparatus  104  (which can be referred to as stimulation unit  104 , or unit  104 ), and a stimulation connection test apparatus  105  (which can be referred to as stimulation connection test apparatus  105 , test apparatus  105 , test unit  105 , tester  105 , voltage detection unit  105 , or detector  105 ). The animal can be any animal but is referred to herein as a dog, merely by way of example. 
     Transmitter  101  is configured for communicating wirelessly with stimulation apparatus  104  and/or test apparatus  105 . More specifically, transmitter  101  is configured for transmitting data signals  106 ,  107  to stimulation apparatus  104  and/or test apparatus  105  (the broken lines of data signals  107  indicating that direct communication between transmitter and test apparatus  105  is optional). Further, transmitter  101  can optionally be configured for also receiving data signals  106 ,  107  from stimulation apparatus  104  and/or test apparatus  105  (and in this sense can be more fully described as a transmitter-receiver, a transceiver). Data signals  106 ,  107  can be sent and/or received by, for example and not by way of limitation, radio signals (RF), optical signals, and/or acoustic signals. Alternatively or in addition thereto, transmitter  101  can communicate with stimulation apparatus  104  and/or test apparatus  105  in any other suitable way. For example, such ways can include Bluetooth, WiFi signals, cellular signals, and/or in any way involving the Internet, cloud-based devices, servers, smartphones (i.e., transmitter  101  can be formed as a smartphone), or the like. Further, data to or from transmitter  101  can be stored on any cloud-based device, and calculations (such as any described herein by controllers  321 ,  336  and/or any controller of transmitter  101 ) can be performed by any cloud-based device. Further, any alerts—such as alerts communicating to a user that electrodes  109 ,  110  are, or are not, in good contact with the animal&#39;s skin—can be provided by transmitter formed as a smartphone, though other options are described below (all options of which can be provided in the alternative or in addition to each other). 
     Collar device  103  (which can be referred to as collar  103 ) is configured for being worn by the dog, such as around the dog&#39;s neck. Collar  103  can include a strap that wraps around the dog&#39;s neck and any suitable connection device for connecting opposing free ends of the strap.  FIG.  1    shows the free ends of the strap being connected by way of a buckle assembly. Other connection devices can be used instead, such as Velcro®, snaps, or a modified buckle assembly that does not include through-holes in the strap. Collar  103  can be adjustable. As is known in the art, collar  103  should fit snugly on the dog&#39;s neck, so as to ensure that stimulation apparatus  104  is able to deliver an adequate (but not harmful) electrical shock to the dog in order to modify the dog&#39;s behavior. The material of collar  103  can be any suitable material, such as leather, or a polymer. 
     Stimulation apparatus  104  is attached to collar  103 . Stimulation apparatus  104  includes a housing  108 , which can hermetically seal components therein. Such components include electrical components. Stimulation apparatus  104  further includes a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes  109 ,  110  (such as a pair of electrodes  109 ,  110 , which can also be referred to as electrical probes  109 ,  110 , or probes  109 ,  110 ) extending from housing  108  and radially inwardly when collar  103  is worn by the dog. Electrodes  109 ,  110  are spaced apart from one another but are configured for delivering an electrical current one to another. When collar  103  is worn by the dog, collar  103  should be fitted on the dog so that electrodes  109 ,  110  make contact with the dog&#39;s skin, in order that an electrical current can pass from one electrode to another by way of the dog&#39;s skin; in this way, electrodes  109 ,  110  are configured for providing an electrical stimulation to the animal. On the other hand, when electrodes  109 ,  110  do not make good electrical contact with the dog&#39;s skin, the circuit between electrodes  109 ,  110  becomes open. Thus, when good contact is made between electrodes  109 ,  110  with the dog&#39;s skin, stimulation apparatus  104 , by way of the electrical components thereof, is configured for transmitting a very small current (nonlethal, and nonharmful) between electrodes  109 ,  110  of a very short duration (an electrical pulse), with the result that the electrical current is safe for the animal, as is known in the art. Stimulation apparatus  104  can be mechanically attached to collar  103  in any suitable manner, as is known in the art. 
     Test apparatus  105  includes a housing  111 , which can hermetically seal components therein. Further, test apparatus is attached to collar  103  by way of a mechanical connection  112  and is electrically coupled with stimulation apparatus  104 . Mechanical connection  112  is shown schematically in  FIG.  1    and can be formed in any suitable manner, which can include, for example and not by way of limitation, Velcro® straps, strap(s) with a snap(s) and/or a button(s), a buckle assembly, a rivet(s), a screw(s), a bolt(s), and/or a snap(s). Depending upon the mechanical connection  112  used, test apparatus  105  can selectively, readily disconnect from and connect to various collars  103 . Further, test apparatus  105  can electrically couple and decouple, at least in some embodiments of the present invention, with stimulation unit  104 . This flexibility in mechanical connections and electrical coupling renders test apparatus universal. Test apparatus  105  is physically spaced apart from stimulation apparatus, as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     Further, test apparatus  105  is electrically coupled with stimulation apparatus  104  in any suitable manner. This can include, for example, a wired connection  113  of assembly  102 , as indicated in  FIG.  1   . Wired connection  113  includes a plurality of electrically conductive wires  114 ,  115  extending between test apparatus  105  and stimulation apparatus  104 . Wires  114 ,  115  are configured for carrying an electrical current between electrical components of test apparatus  105  and electrodes  109 ,  110  of stimulation apparatus  104 . For instance, wire  114  can be electrically coupled with electrode  109 , and wire  115  can be electrically coupled with electrode  110 . As indicated in  FIG.  1   , wires  114 ,  115  extend between side walls of housing  108  and housing  111 . Further, as indicated in  FIG.  1   , wires  114 ,  115  can be hardwired to simulation apparatus  104  and test apparatus  105 , such that wired connection  113  is essentially permanent. Further, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wires  114 ,  115  can each include plugs on each of their opposing ends, and housings  108 ,  111  can each include sockets for mating with these plugs, such that wires  114 ,  115  can be readily connected to or disconnected from stimulation apparatus  104  and test apparatus  105 . Further, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wires  114 ,  115  can be connected to another portion of housings  108 ,  111  than what is shown in  FIG.  1   . For instance, wires  114 ,  115  could extend through a top wall (adjacent to the strap of collar  103 ) of housing  111 , through the strap of collar  103  radially inwardly (similar to electrodes  109 ,  110 ), and then onward to stimulation apparatus  104 . Further, rather than wires  114 ,  115  extending through the strap, a pair of electrodes could extend from the top wall of housing  111  and through the strap of collar  103 , with wires  114 ,  115  extending between these electrodes of test apparatus  105  and electrodes  109 ,  110 . Further, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wires  114 ,  115  could be connected directly to electrodes  109 ,  110 , respectively, without extending into housing  108  of stimulation apparatus  104 . This connection could be essentially permanent (i.e., by soldering), or temporary, such that wires  114 ,  115  include clips on at least one of their ends so that these clips can connect to electrodes  109 ,  110 , respectively. Further, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, alternatively or in addition to wired connection  113 , stimulation apparatus  104  and test apparatus  105  can communicate wirelessly with each other. Such communication can include, for instance, data signals  116 , such as RF signals, communicating electrical information or any other information between stimulation apparatus  104  and test apparatus  105 . Alternatively or in addition thereto, stimulation apparatus  104  and test apparatus  105  can communicate with each other in any other suitable way. For example, such ways can include optical signals, acoustic signals, Bluetooth, WiFi signals, cellular signals, and/or in any way involving the Internet, cloud-based devices, servers, smartphones, or the like. For instance, data from stimulation device  104  and/or test apparatus  105  can be stored on any cloud-based device, and calculations (such as any described herein by controllers  321 ,  336 ) can be performed by any cloud-based devices. 
     Test apparatus  105  functions, at least in part, as a voltage detection device (i.e., a voltmeter, a potentiometer). In this way, when test apparatus  105  is electrically connected with stimulation apparatus  104  by way of wires  114 ,  115  (for example) and electrodes  109 ,  110 , test apparatus  105  can detect the amount of voltage between electrodes  109 ,  110 . Test apparatus  105 , by way of wires  114 ,  115 , is in parallel with the flow of electrical current between electrodes  109 ,  110  when electrical current flows through the dog&#39;s skin between electrodes  109 ,  110 , and in series between electrodes  109 ,  110  when electrodes  109 ,  110  do not make good electrical contact with the dog&#39;s skin. In this way, test apparatus  105  can detect and thus measure the voltage across electrodes  109 ,  110 , whether the electrical current between electrodes  109 ,  110  extends through the skin of the dog (a good electrical connection with the dog) or nor. Further, test apparatus  105 , upon measuring the voltage between electrodes  109 ,  110 , is configured for determining whether electrodes  109 ,  110  are adequately electrically connected with the skin of the dog. An adequate electrical coupling occurs only when both electrodes  109 ,  110  are in contact with the dog&#39;s skin (when this skin is not too dry). Test apparatus  105  is configured for determining whether electrodes  109 ,  110  are adequately electrically connected by at least in part using a voltage level signal corresponding to a voltage level difference between electrodes  109 ,  110 , this voltage level being detected by test apparatus  105  by way of wires  114 ,  115  in electrical connection with electrodes  109 ,  110 . That is, test apparatus  105  is configured for determining that electrodes  109 ,  110  are not adequately electrically connected when the voltage level (amount) across electrodes  109 ,  110  is greater than a predetermined voltage level; conversely, test apparatus  105  is configured for determining that electrodes  109 ,  110  are adequately electrically connected when the voltage level  109 ,  110  is at or below the predetermined voltage level. As discussed more below, test apparatus  105  includes a controller  336  configured for determining whether electrodes  109 ,  110  are adequately electrically connected with the dog&#39;s skin, using the voltage sensed, for instance, by wires  114 ,  115 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , there is shown a circuit diagram, with portions broken away, of assembly  102 . That is, stimulation apparatus  104  is electrically coupled with test apparatus  105  by way of wires  114 ,  115 . More specifically, electrodes  109 ,  110  of stimulation apparatus  104  are electrically coupled with test apparatus  105  by way of wires  114 ,  115 , respectively. Resistive element  217  is positioned between electrodes  109 ,  110  and thus correspond variably with either the dog&#39;s skin or the air. An adequate electrical coupling of electrodes  109 ,  110  occurs when resistive element  217  is the dog&#39;s skin. Under this scenario, tester apparatus  105  is in parallel with the current flow path extending from electrode  109  to electrode  110  (according to conventional view of current flow direction), and tester apparatus  105  can measure the voltage drop across resistive element  217 , that is, between electrodes  109 ,  110 . When an inadequate electrical coupling of electrodes  109 ,  110  occurs with the dog&#39;s skin, an open circuit occurs between electrodes  109 ,  110 . Rather than showing a resistor in  FIG.  2   , an open switch could be used; however, resistive element  217  fits with this scenario as well, given that the air between electrodes  109 ,  110  is functioning as a resistor, albeit of a very high level of resistance, such that current does not flow between electrodes  109 ,  110 , given the spacing between electrodes  109 ,  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , there is shown schematically assembly  102 , including stimulation apparatus  104 , wires  114 ,  115 , and test apparatus  105 , with collar  103  broken away.  FIG.  3    shows but one embodiment of stimulation apparatus  104  and test apparatus  105 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that stimulation apparatus  104  and test apparatus can include alternative components. For instance, it can be appreciated that converters of direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), or vice versa, can be employed as a part of stimulation apparatus  104  and/or test apparatus  105 . Further, a comparator (formed from an operational amplifier) can be employed, in addition to controller  336 , by test apparatus  105 , in order to determine whether the voltage detected across electrodes  109 ,  110  exceeds the predetermined threshold for the voltage level. Further, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/458,873, entitled “ELECTROSHOCK STIMULUS MONITORING METHOD AND APPARATUS”, filed Dec. 10, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,999, is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Stimulation apparatus  104  includes receiver  320 , controller  321 , power supply  322 , signal unit  323 , transformer  324 , electrodes  109 ,  110 , and alert mechanism  325 . Receiver  320  is configured to receive any data communications from transmitter  101  and/or test apparatus  105 . For instance, a user of system  100  may use hold transmitter  101  and send a signal by way of transmitter  101  to receiver  320  of stimulation apparatus  104  to generate a voltage and thus an electric current in order to run a voltage detection test so as to determine whether electrodes  109 ,  110  are making adequate electrical contact with the dog&#39;s skin. Though receiver  320  is referred to as a receiver, it is possible that receiver  320  can be configured as a transceiver, so as to be able to transmit data signals as well. For instance, receiver  320  can be configured as a transceiver and thereby be able to communicate data signals back to transmitter  101  (which itself can be configured as a transceiver) and/or to test apparatus  105 . In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, receiver  320  is configured to receive data signals from transmitter  101  to initiate a voltage detection test. Then, receiver  320  outputs a corresponding data signal to controller  321  and thereby functions as a relay between transmitter  101  and controller  321 . 
     Controller  321  includes at least one processor  326 , memory  327  which can store data  328 , and instructions  329 . Controller  321  is configured to receive the data signal from receiver  320  and, upon so receiving, can output a signal to cause signal unit  323  to be activated and thereby to close a switch so as to pass electrical current onward to transformer  324  from power supply  322 , and thus on to electrodes  109 ,  110 . A switch module  330  of controller  321  can form this switch signal. Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, controller  321  can be configured to output an alert signal to alert mechanism  325  (if stimulation apparatus  104  has alert mechanism  325 ) so as to cause alert mechanism  325  to generate an alert signal to the user signifying either that electrodes  109 ,  110  are, or are not, making adequate electrical contact with the dog&#39;s skin (discussed below). An alert signal module  331  of controller  321  can form this alert signal. 
     Power supply  322  provides electrical power to any component of stimulation apparatus  104  that requires electrical power to function. For instance, power supply  322  can provide electrical power to controller  321 , signal unit  323  (if necessary), transformer  324  (or, more specifically, a DC/AC converter preceding transformer  324 ), and/or alert mechanism  325 , or any other element. Power supply  322  can be formed as a battery, for instance, and any DC/AC converters can be provided as necessary. 
     Signal unit  323  can be a device that is separate from power supply  322 , as shown in  FIG.  1   . In one embodiment, signal unit  323  can be a switch (i.e., formed as a transistor) that is opened/closed by controller  321  and which transmits electrical current from power supply  322  when closed. A DC/AC converter can follow this switch in order to send electrical current, as AC current, to transformer  324 . In another embodiment, signal generator can be any device which can generate a voltage and thus an electrical current, in the alternative or in addition to power supply  322 . 
     Transformer  324  is a step-up transformer. As such, a primary winding of transformer  324  receives voltage from signal unit  323  (or power supply  322 ). In stepping-up the voltage level, a secondary winding of transformer  324  can be configured to output a voltage at a peak of 8,000 volts, for example. This voltage can be transmitted through circuitry to electrodes  109 ,  110  so as to generate an electrical current between electrodes  109 ,  110 . 
     Alert mechanism  325  can be configured, for example, to emit a light or a noise corresponding to whether electrodes  109 ,  110  are making adequate electrical contact with the dog&#39;s skin. For instance, if light is employed, alert mechanism  325  can be a light emitting diode (LED), for example. A constant light can signify an adequate electrical connection between electrodes  109 ,  110 , whereas a blinking light can signify an inadequate electrical connection. Alternatively, alert mechanism  325  can include two LEDs, one providing a green light signifying an adequate electrical connection, the other providing a red light signifying an inadequate electrical connection. If stimulation apparatus  104  includes alert mechanism  325 , test apparatus  105  can send a signal to controller  321  corresponding to an adequate or inadequate electrical connection, so that controller  321  can output the corresponding signal to alert mechanism  325 . 
     Test apparatus  105  includes receiver  335 , controller  336 , power supply  337 , connection  338 , voltage divider  339 , pulse stretcher  340 , analog-to-digital converter  341 , and alert mechanism  342 . Receiver can be similar to receiver  320 . As such, receiver  335  is configured to receive any data communications from transmitter  101  and/or stimulation apparatus  104 . For instance, as an alternative embodiment to what is described above (transmitter  101  sending a command signal to receiver  320  to cause stimulation apparatus  104  to generate a voltage relative to electrodes  109 ,  110 ), a user of system  100  may send a signal by way of transmitter  101  to receiver  335  to cause stimulation apparatus  104  to generate a voltage and thus an electric current in order to run a voltage detection test so as to determine whether electrodes  109 ,  110  are making adequate electrical contact with the dog&#39;s skin. In so doing, receiver  335  receives the signal from transmitter  101 , communicates a corresponding signal to controller  336 , which in turn causes receiver  335  (which can be configured as a transmitter as well, and thus be a transceiver) to transmit a voltage generation signal to stimulation apparatus  104  (by way of receiver  320  and controller  321 ). In this way, the voltage detection test can be initiated. 
     Controller  336  includes at least one processor  343 , memory  344  which can store data  345 , and instructions  346 . Controller  336  can be configured to receive the data signal from receiver  335  (corresponding to the signal from transmitter  101  to initiate the voltage detection test) and, upon so receiving, outputs a voltage signal to stimulation apparatus  104  to cause voltage to be transmitted to an upstream electrode  109 ,  110  and thus, possibly, an electrical current between electrodes  109 ,  110 . A voltage module  347  can form this voltage signal. 
     Further, controller  336 , as indicated above, is configured to receive a signal, such as from analog-to-digital converter  341  (below), corresponding to the voltage level between electrodes  109 ,  110 . Upon receipt of this voltage level signal, controller compares this voltage level signal (namely, a peak voltage level signal) to the predetermined voltage level threshold; if the voltage level signal is at or below the threshold, then this means that a good electrical connection is being made with the dog&#39;s skin; conversely, a voltage level signal above this threshold means an inadequate (i.e., a poor or nonexistent electrical connection) is being made with the dog&#39;s skin. Thus, a high voltage level suggests an inadequate electrical connection. This can be because an open circuit is formed between electrodes  109 ,  110  (the space between electrodes  109 ,  110  including air); as a result, the voltage at the upstream electrode (i.e., electrode  109 ) can be the same voltage as coming from signal unit  323  (or power supply  322 ), and the voltage at the downstream electrode (i.e., electrode  110 ) can be 0 volts (with test apparatus  105  functioning essentially as a voltmeter). The voltage level at the upstream electrode of electrodes  109 ,  110  can be, according to one embodiment of the present invention, 8,000 volts. The predetermined voltage level can be, for example and not by way of limitation, 1,000 volts. 
     Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, controller  336  can be configured to output an alert signal to alert mechanism  342  (if test apparatus  105  has alert mechanism  342 ) so as to cause alert mechanism  342  to generate an alert signal to the user signifying either that electrodes  109 ,  110  are, or are not, making adequate electrical contact with the dog&#39;s skin. An alert signal module  348  can form this alert signal. 
     Power supply  337  provides electrical power to any component of test apparatus  105  that requires electrical power to function. For instance, power supply  337  can provide electrical power to controller  336  and/or alert mechanism  342 , or any other element. Power supply  337  can be formed as a battery, for instance, and any DC/AC converters can be provided as necessary. 
     Connection  338  provides a way for wires  114 ,  115  to mechanically and electrically couple with components of test apparatus  105 . For instance, the electrical circuitry of test apparatus  105  can include a plurality of wires and/or bus bars interconnecting various electrical components within housing  111 . Alternatively, as indicated above, wires  114 ,  115  can include plugs which matingly interconnect with sockets of test apparatus  105 . 
     Voltage divider  339  can be configured as a circuit which serves to lower the peak voltage level from electrodes  109 ,  110  and wires  114 ,  115 , which can facilitate evaluation (measurement and comparison) of this peak voltage level. As indicated above, the input voltage to electrodes  109 ,  110  can be relatively high, for example and not by way of limitation, such as 8,000 volts, and depending the connection between electrodes  109 ,  110  this voltage level (8,000 volts) can be transmitted by wires  114 ,  115  to connection  338  and onward to voltage divider  339 . Voltage divider  339  can include a high value resistor to reduce this incoming voltage to test apparatus  105  (as indicated by U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,999). 
     Pulse stretcher  340  can be configured as a circuit which receives the reduced voltage from voltage divider  339  and serves to produce a modified signal which has a longer decay time, or slower exponential decay. That is, the voltage across electrodes  109 ,  110  can have a voltage waveform that spikes up to a peak value and then exponentially decays relatively quickly. That is, the waveform has a relatively short decay time, which can cause the time period in which the waveform is at or near its peak voltage level to be too short for the peak value to be readily measured (as indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,999). 
     Analog-to-digital converter  341  can be configured to convert an analog signal to a digital signal. For instance, controller  336  may require a digital signal in order to perform its comparison operations. Accordingly, converter  341  can convert an analog signal from pulse stretcher  340  to a digital signal, which is then input into controller  336 . 
     Alert mechanism  342  can be substantially similar to alert mechanism  325 , and thus the description of alert mechanism  325  serves as a description of alert mechanism  342 , except that alert mechanism  342  is in relation to controller  336 . That is, once controller  336  determines whether the voltage level between electrodes  109 ,  110  (as however modified as described herein) is at or below the predetermined threshold voltage level (an adequate electrical connection at electrodes  109 ,  110 ), or is greater than this predetermined threshold voltage level (an inadequate electrical connection at electrodes  109 ,  110 ), controller  336  can output a corresponding alert signal alert mechanism  342  so that alert mechanism  342  provides the corresponding signal to the user. Alternatively or in addition thereto, controller  336  can output an alert signal to transmitter  101 , so that transmitter  101  outputs an alert to user at transmitter  101 , the alert of transmitter  101  being a light signal, a sound signal, a tactile signal (i.e., a vibration), and/or a text signal to user. Controller  336  can output this alert signal to transmitter by way of receiver  335  (as a transceiver). 
     Further, in general, controllers  321 ,  336  may each correspond to any suitable processor-based device(s), such as a computing device or any combination of computing devices. Each controller  321 ,  336  may generally include one or more processor(s)  326 ,  343  and associated memory  327 ,  344  configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions (e.g., performing the methods, steps, algorithms, calculations and the like disclosed herein). Thus, each controller  321 ,  336  may include a respective processor  326 ,  343  therein, as well as associated memory  327 ,  344 , data  328 ,  345 , and instructions  329 ,  346 , each forming at least part of the respective controller  321 ,  336 . As used herein, the term “processor” refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. Additionally, the respective memory  327 ,  344  may generally include memory element(s) including, but not limited to, computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory  327 ,  344  may generally be configured to store information accessible to the processor(s)  326 ,  343 , including data  328 ,  345  that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, and/or stored by the processor(s)  326 ,  343  and the instructions  329 ,  346  that can be executed by the processor(s)  326 ,  343 . In some embodiments, data  328 ,  345  may be stored in one or more databases. 
     In use, user can use transmitter  101  to send a signal to, for example, stimulation apparatus  104  in order to generate a test voltage relative to electrodes  109 ,  110 . Stimulation apparatus  104  can generate the test voltage by way of controller  321 , and upon doing so test apparatus  105  detects the voltage level between electrodes  109 ,  110  by way of wires  114 ,  115 . This voltage sensed by wires  114 ,  115  is communicated to controller  336  as a voltage level signal. Controller  336  compares this voltage level signal to the predetermined voltage level, assessing whether the voltage level signal is at or below the threshold, or above the threshold. If the former, then the electrical connection of electrodes  109 ,  110  with the dog&#39;s skin is adequate; if the latter, then this electrical connection is inadequate. Controller  336  can output an alert signal to alert mechanism  342  (and/or to controller  321  and thus to alert mechanism  325 , and/or to an alert mechanism of transmitter  101 ) to signify to the user that the electrical connection is adequate or inadequate, by way of, for example, lights or tones. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , there is shown a flow diagram of a method  450  for modifying a behavior of an animal. Method  451  incudes the steps of: providing  451  an animal behavior modification assembly  102  including a collar device  103 , a stimulation apparatus  104 , and a stimulation connection test apparatus  105 , the collar device  103  configured for being worn by the animal, the stimulation apparatus  104  being attached to the collar device  103  and including a plurality of electrodes  109 ,  110  configured for providing an electrical stimulation to the animal; and determining  452 , using the stimulation connection test apparatus  105  attached to the collar device  103  and electrically coupled with the stimulation apparatus  104 , whether the plurality of electrodes  109 ,  110  are adequately electrically coupled with the animal, the stimulation connection test apparatus  105  being spaced apart from the stimulation apparatus  104 . The animal behavior modification assembly  102  can include a wired connection  113 , the stimulation connection test apparatus  105  being electrically coupled with the stimulation apparatus  104  by the wired connection  113 . The providing step  451  can further include providing a transmitter  101  configured for communicating with at least one of the stimulation apparatus  104  and the stimulation connection test apparatus  105 . The step of determining can include using a voltage level signal corresponding to a voltage level between the plurality of electrodes  109 ,  110 . Further, the step of determining can include determining that the plurality of electrodes  109 ,  110  are not adequately electrically coupled when the voltage level is greater than a predetermined voltage level. Further, the stimulation connection test apparatus  105  can include a controller  336  which performs the step of determining. 
     It is to be understood that the steps of method  450  are performed by controller  321 ,  336  upon loading and executing software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such as on a magnetic medium, e.g., a computer hard drive, an optical medium, e.g., an optical disc, solid-state memory, e.g., flash memory, or other storage media known in the art. Thus, any of the functionality performed by controller  321 ,  336  described herein, such as the method  450 , is implemented in software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium. The controller  321 ,  336  loads the software code or instructions via a direct interface with the computer readable medium or via a wired and/or wireless network. Upon loading and executing such software code or instructions by controller  321 ,  336 , controller  321 ,  336  may perform any of the functionality of controller  321 ,  336  described herein, including any steps of the method  450 . 
     The term “software code” or “code” used herein refers to any instructions or set of instructions that influence the operation of a computer or controller. They may exist in a computer-executable form, such as machine code, which is the set of instructions and data directly executed by a computer&#39;s central processing unit or by a controller, a human-understandable form, such as source code, which may be compiled in order to be executed by a computer&#39;s central processing unit or by a controller, or an intermediate form, such as object code, which is produced by a compiler. As used herein, the term “software code” or “code” also includes any human-understandable computer instructions or set of instructions, e.g., a script, that may be executed on the fly with the aid of an interpreter executed by a computer&#39;s central processing unit or by a controller. 
     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.