Patent Publication Number: US-2007113797-A1

Title: Electrical pet gate

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Not Applicable  
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of Invention  
      This invention pertains to a device for generating a non-tangible electrical pet gate. More particularly, this invention pertains to a device for generating a non-tangible electrical pet barrier and a non-tangible electrical pet passageway.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Oftentimes, there is a need to restrict a pet&#39;s access to or from a particular room or to restrict a pet&#39;s access to a small particular area. For example, a pet owner may wish to prevent the pet from entering the pet owner&#39;s bedroom, or the pet owner may wish to confine the pet to the laundry room of the pet owner&#39;s home, or the pet owner may wish to prevent the pet from tampering with the pet owner&#39;s kitchen trashcan. Additionally, pet owners seek to limit a pet&#39;s access without using tangible barriers, which not only restrict the pet&#39;s access to or from designated areas, but also hinder human access to or from those areas. In addition to restricting a pet&#39;s access to rooms and small particular areas, a pet owner commonly needs to prevent the pet from leaving the confines of the pet owner&#39;s yard. To confine a pet within the pet owner&#39;s yard, it is common for the pet owner to implement a conventional invisible pet containment system that corrects the pet by way of a stimulus when the pet approaches the perimeter of the yard, which is defined by the invisible pet containment system. However, certain circumstances require that the pet be able to approach and pass across the perimeter of an invisible pet containment system at a designated region without receiving a stimulus such that the pet has access to other permitted areas, such as the pet owner&#39;s home. Because of these circumstances, a pet owner needs the facility to permit the pet passage across the perimeter of an invisible pet containment system without being required to manually disengage the entire system.  
      Conventional devices that address the previously discussed issues of pet confinement and access include pet repelling mats and pet repelling devices. A pet repelling mat is a type of floor mat that emits an electromagnetic field. A pet carries a receiver that is responsive to the electromagnetic field such that when the pet approaches the mat, the pet receives a stimulus from the receiver. The pet repelling mat is positioned, for example, in the doorway of a room or under the kitchen trashcan such that when the pet approaches the doorway or the trashcan, the pet receives a stimulus. While this type of conventional device can prevent access to or from a particular room and even prevent access to a small particular area, the device is limited in that it does not permit a pet passage to and from the confines of a conventional invisible fence containment system.  
      A pet repelling device suffers the same limitations as the pet repelling mat. A pet repelling device is a packaging or housing that emits an electromagnetic field. A pet carries a receiver that is responsive to the electromagnetic field such that when the pet approaches the device, the pet receives a stimulus from the receiver. The pet repelling device is positioned in areas that are not to be accessed by the pet. Consequently, when the pet approaches the restricted area, the pet receives a stimulus. Similar to the pet repelling mat, this type of conventional device can prevent access to or from a particular room and even prevent access to a small particular area, however, the device is limited in that it does not permit a pet passage to and from the confines of a conventional invisible fence containment system.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with the various features of the present invention there is provided a pet gate device for generating a non-tangible electrical pet barrier and for generating a non-tangible electrical pet passageway. The pet gate device includes a signal generating device and a receiver. The signal generating device is adapted to generate at least two different signals, namely a barrier signal and a passageway signal. At a given time, the signal generating device generates only one signal, the barrier signal or the passageway signal. The signal generating device includes a transmitter for transmitting the currently generated signal such that the transmitted signal generates an electromagnetic field. The receiver is adapted to respond to the electromagnetic field by receiving the transmitted signal and recognizing whether the barrier signal or the passageway signal is being generated and transmitted. The receiver is also adapted to respond to and recognize a signal generated by a conventional invisible pet containment system (conventional signal). The receiver is carried by a pet and is adapted to administer a stimulus to the pet when the receiver recognizes the barrier signal or the conventional signal. The receiver is adapted to not administer a stimulus to the pet when the receiver recognizes the passageway signal. Further, the passageway signal overrides a stimulus-causing signal, such as the barrier signal or the conventional signal, such that when the receiver concurrently receives both the passageway signal and a stimulus-causing signal, the receiver does not administer a stimulus to the pet. Consequently, when the pet approaches the signal generating device to the extent that the receiver responds to the electromagnetic field and recognizes that the signal generating device is generating and transmitting the barrier signal, the receiver administers a stimulus to the pet. Accordingly, when disposed proximate to the doorway of a room, the signal generating device creates a non-tangible electrical barrier and restricts the pet&#39;s access to or from the room. Conversely, when the pet approaches the signal generating device to the extent that the receiver responds to the electromagnetic field and recognizes that the signal generating device is generating and transmitting the passageway signal, the receiver does not administer a stimulus to the pet, even when the receiver concurrently receives and recognizes another signal that indicates the administration of a stimulus, such as the conventional signal. Accordingly, when the signal generating device is disposed proximate to the perimeter of a conventional invisible pet containment system, the signal generating device creates a non-tangible electrical passageway through the containment system.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of the pet gate device in accordance with various features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting strategically positioned signal generating devices of the pet gate device of  FIG. 1  illustrating operative features of the signal generating devices.  
       FIG. 3  is a timing diagram illustrating operative features of the receiver of the pet gate device of  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      One embodiment of a pet gate device for generating a non-tangible electrical pet barrier and for generating a non-tangible electrical pet passageway and constructed in accordance with the various features of the present invention is illustrated generally at  10  in  FIG. 1 . The pet gate device  10  includes a signal generating device and a receiver. The signal generating device is adapted to generate at least two different signals, namely a barrier signal and a passageway signal. At a given time, the signal generating device generates only one signal, the barrier signal or the passageway signal. The signal generating device includes a transmitter for transmitting the currently generated signal such that the transmitted signal generates an electromagnetic field. The receiver is adapted to respond to the electromagnetic field by receiving the transmitted signal and recognizing whether the barrier signal or the passageway signal is being generated and transmitted. The receiver is also adapted to respond to and recognize a signal generated by a conventional invisible pet containment system (conventional signal). The receiver is carried by a pet and is adapted to administer a stimulus to the pet when the receiver recognizes the barrier signal or the conventional signal. The receiver is adapted to not administer a stimulus to the pet when the receiver recognizes the passageway signal. Further, the passageway signal overrides a stimulus-causing signal, such as the barrier signal or the conventional signal, such that when the receiver concurrently receives both the passageway signal and a stimulus-causing signal, the receiver does not administer a stimulus to the pet. Consequently, when the pet approaches the signal generating device to the extent that the receiver responds to the electromagnetic field and recognizes that the signal generating device is generating and transmitting the barrier signal, the receiver administers a stimulus to the pet. Accordingly, when disposed proximate to the doorway of a room, the signal generating device creates a non-tangible electrical barrier and restricts the pet&#39;s access to or from the room. Conversely, when the pet approaches the signal generating device to the extent that the receiver responds to the electromagnetic field and recognizes that the signal generating device is generating and transmitting the passageway signal, the receiver does not administer a stimulus to the pet, even when the receiver concurrently receives and recognizes another signal that indicates the administration of a stimulus, such as the conventional signal. Accordingly, when the signal generating device is disposed proximate to the perimeter of a conventional invisible pet containment system, the signal generating device creates a non-tangible electrical passageway through the containment system.  
       FIG. 1  illustrates the pet gate device  10  in accordance with various features of the present invention. The pet gate device  10  includes a signal generating device  12  and a receiver  14 . At a given time, the signal generating device  12  generates either a barrier signal or a passageway signal. Whether the signal generating device  12  generates the barrier signal or the passageway signal is dictated by the pet gate device user, who selects the desired signal by way of a user interface  16 , which is disposed on the signal generating device  12 . The signal generating device  12  includes a transmitter that transmits the currently generated signal, namely the barrier signal or the passageway signal, such that the transmitted signal generates an electromagnetic field  13  that radiates from the signal generating device  12 .  
      The receiver  14  is carried by a pet. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver  14  is mounted to the pet by way of a conventional pet collar. The receiver  14  is adapted to respond to the electromagnetic field  13  by receiving the transmitted signal and to recognize whether the barrier signal or the passageway signal is being generated and transmitted by signal generating device  12 . The receiver  14  is also adapted to respond to the electromagnetic field generated by a conventional invisible pet containment system (conventional electromagnetic field) and to recognize that a conventional signal is being generated and transmitted. The receiver  14  is adapted to administer a stimulus to the pet when the receiver  14  responds to the electromagnetic field  13  and recognizes that the barrier signal is being generated and transmitted. The receiver  14  also administers a stimulus to the pet when the receiver  14  responds to the conventional electromagnetic field and recognizes that the conventional signal is being generated and transmitted. Conversely, the receiver  14  is adapted to not administer a stimulus to the pet when the receiver  14  responds to the electromagnetic field  13  and recognizes that the passageway signal is being generated and transmitted, even if the receiver  14  simultaneously receives and recognizes the barrier signal or the conventional signal. In other words, the passageway signal overrides a stimulus-causing signal.  
      Those skilled in the art will recognize that the signal generating device  12  can generate signals in addition to the barrier signal and the passageway signal without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. For example, the signal generating device  12  can generate and transmit a warning signal such that when the receiver  14  responds to the electromagnetic field  13  and recognizes the warning signal, the receiver  14  administers a warning stimulus, which is milder than the typical stimulus.  
       FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating strategically positioned signal generating devices  12  to exemplify various features of the pet gate device  10 . A first signal generating device  16  is disposed within a house  18 . More specifically, the first signal generating device  16  is disposed proximate to an internal doorway  20  of the house  18 . The internal doorway  20  is the passageway from a room  22  to the other rooms of the house  18 . A second signal generating device  24  is disposed outside of the house  18  and proximate to an external doorway  26  of the house  18 . The external doorway  26  is the passageway from the room  22 , and consequently the house  18 , to a yard  28 . The yard  28  is adjacent to the house  18  and is defined by a conventional invisible pet containment system  30 . A third signal generating device  32  is disposed within the yard  28 . More specifically, the third signal generating device  32  is disposed proximate to a flower garden  34 , which is located near the perimeter of the conventional invisible pet containment system  30 .  
      The first signal generating device  16  generates and transmits the barrier signal, which generates a first electromagnetic field  36 . The first electromagnetic field  36  radiates from the first signal generating device  16  to the extent that the coverage area of the first electromagnetic field  36  includes the internal doorway  20 . Consequently, when the pet approaches the internal doorway  20  to the extent that the receiver  14  responds to the first electromagnetic field  36  and recognizes that the barrier signal is being generated and transmitted, the receiver  14  administers a stimulus to the pet. As a result, the first signal generating device  16  creates a non-tangible electrical barrier to the internal doorway  20 . Consequently, the pet is confined within, or restricted from, the room  22 .  
      The second signal generating device  24  generates and transmits the passageway signal, which generates a second electromagnetic field  38 . Additionally, the conventional invisible pet containment system  30  generates and transmits the conventional signal, which generates a conventional electromagnetic field  40 . The second electromagnetic field  38  radiates from the second signal generating device  24  to the extent that the coverage area of the second electromagnetic field  38  includes the section of the conventional electromagnetic field  40  that is between the house  18  and the yard  28  and that is proximate to the external doorway  26 . Consequently, when the pet approaches the external doorway  26  from the yard  28  to the extent that the receiver  14  responds to both the second electromagnetic field  38  and the conventional electromagnetic field  40  and recognizes that both the passageway signal and the conventional signal are being generated and transmitted, the receiver  14  does not administer a stimulus to the pet. The receiver  14  does not administer a stimulus to the pet because the passageway signal overrides the conventional signal. Consequently, the second signal generating device  24  creates a non-tangible electrical passageway through the conventional invisible pet containment system  30  at the external doorway  26  such that the pet passes between the house  18  and the yard  28  without receiving a stimulus. Additionally, the non-tangible electrical passageway is created without compromising the designed function of the conventional invisible pet containment system  30 , namely confining the pet to the yard  28 .  
      The third signal generating device  32  generates and transmits the barrier signal, which generates a third electromagnetic field  42 . The third electromagnetic field  42  radiates from the third signal generating device  32  to the extent that the coverage area of the third electromagnetic field  42  includes the flower garden  34 . Consequently, when the pet approaches the flower garden  34  to the extent that the receiver  14  responds to the third electromagnetic field  42  and recognizes that the barrier signal is being generated and transmitted, the receiver  14  administers a stimulus to the pet. As a result, the third signal generating device  32  creates a non-tangible electrical barrier around the flower garden  34 . Consequently, the pet is restricted from tampering with the flower garden  32 .  
       FIG. 3  is a timing diagram further illustrating previously discussed operative features of the receiver  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the barrier signal  44  is a periodic rectangular pulse signal with a pulse duration of t 1 , a period of T 0 , and an amplitude of A. The passageway signal  46  is a periodic rectangular pulse signal with a pulse duration of t 2 , a period of T 0 , and an amplitude of A. Further, the pulse duration of the passageway signal  46 , t 2 , is greater than the pulse duration of the barrier signal  44 , t 1 . The conventional signal  48  is a periodic rectangular pulse signal with a pulse duration of t 3 , a period of T 0 , and an amplitude of A. Further, the pulse duration of the conventional signal  48 , t 3 , is less than the pulse duration of the barrier signal  44 , t 1 , to the extent that the pulse duration of the conventional signal  48  and the pulse duration of the barrier signal  44  combined are less than the pulse duration of the passageway signal  46 . In other words, t 1 +t 3 &lt;t 2 .  
      Those skilled in the art will recognize that the barrier signal, the passageway signal, and the conventional signal can be a signal other than a rectangular pulse signal without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that the pulse duration relationship between the barrier signal, the passageway signal, and the conventional signal can be a relationship other than the pulse duration relationship of the illustrated embodiment without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.  
      The receiver  14  is adapted to recognize whether the barrier signal  44 , the passageway signal  46 , or the conventional signal  48  is being generated and transmitted. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver  14  distinguishes the signals by monitoring the pulse duration of the received signal. For example, when the receiver  14  receives a signal with a pulse duration of t 1 , the receiver  14  interprets that the barrier signal  44  is being generated and transmitted and administers a stimulus to the pet. Similarly, when the receiver  14  receives a signal with a pulse duration of t 3 , the receiver  14  interprets that the conventional signal  48  is being generated and transmitted and administers a stimulus to the pet. Conversely, when the receiver  14  receives a signal with a pulse width of t 2 , the receiver  14  determines that the passageway signal  46  is being generated and transmitted and does not administer a stimulus to the pet. More specifically, the receiver  14  is adapted to translate any signal with a pulse duration of t 2  or greater as a passageway signal  46 . Additionally, the receiver  14  is adapted to translate any signal with a pulse duration of less than t 2 , other than t 1  or t 3 , as a stimulus-causing signal. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the receiver  14  can be adapted to recognize whether the barrier signal  44 , the passageway signal  46 , or the conventional signal  48  is being generated and transmitted by monitoring aspects of the received signal other than pulse duration, such as amplitude or frequency, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.  
      Returning to  FIG. 2 , the first signal generating device  16  generates and transmits the barrier signal  44 . Consequently, when the pet approaches the internal doorway  20  to the extent that the receiver  14  responds to the first electromagnetic field  36 , the receiver  14  receives the signal illustrated at  50  in  FIG. 3 . The receiver  14  recognizes the received signal  50  as the barrier signal  44  because the received signal  50  has a pulse duration of t 1 . Consequently, the receiver  14  administers a stimulus to the pet. As a result, the first signal generating device  16  creates a non-tangible electrical barrier in the internal doorway  20 .  
      Returning to  FIG. 2 , the second signal generating device  24 , generates and transmits the passageway signal  46 . Additionally, the conventional invisible pet containment system  30  generates and transmits the conventional signal  48 . Consequently, when the pet approaches the external doorway  26  from the yard  28  to the extent that the receiver  14  responds to both the second electromagnetic field  38  and the conventional electromagnetic field  40 , the receiver  14  receives the signal illustrated at  52  in  FIG. 3 . The receiver  14  recognizes the received signal  52  as the passageway signal  46  because, although the received signal  52  has an amplitude of  2 A for a pulse duration of t 3  and then an amplitude of A for a pulse duration of (t 2 −t 3 ), the total pulse duration of the received signal  52  is t 2 . Consequently, the receiver  14  does not administer a stimulus to the pet. The depiction of the received signal  52  illustrates how the passageway signal  46  overrides a stimulus-causing signal, such as the conventional signal  48  or the barrier signal  44 . Thus, the second signal generating device  24  creates a non-tangible electrical passageway through the perimeter of the invisible pet containment system  30 .  
      Returning to  FIG. 2 , the conventional invisible pet containment system  30  generates and transmits the conventional signal  48 . Consequently, when the pet approaches the perimeter of the yard  28  to the extent that the receiver  14  responds to the conventional electromagnetic field  40 , the receiver  14  receives the signal illustrated at  54  in  FIG. 3 . The receiver  14  recognizes the received signal  54  as the conventional signal  48  because the received signal  54  has a pulse duration of t 3 . Consequently, the receiver  14  administers a stimulus to the pet. As a result, the invisible pet containment system  30  serves its designed conventional purpose, namely confining the pet within the yard  28 .  
      Returning to  FIG. 2 , the third signal generating device  32  generates and transmits the barrier signal  44 . Additionally, the conventional invisible pet containment system  30  generates and transmits the conventional signal  48 . Consequently, when the pet approaches the flower garden  34  to the extent that the receiver  14  responds to both the third electromagnetic field  42  and the conventional electromagnetic field  40 , the receiver  14  receives the signal illustrated at  56  in  FIG. 3 . The receiver  14  recognizes the received signal  56  as the barrier signal  44  because, although the received signal  56  has an amplitude of  2 A for a pulse duration of t 3  and then an amplitude of A for a pulse duration of (t 1 −t 3 ), the total pulse duration of the received signal  56  is t 1 . Consequently the receiver  14  administers a stimulus to the pet. Thus, the third signal generating device  32  creates a non-tangible electrical barrier around the flower garden  34 .  
      Sometimes, the signals received by the receiver  14  are not synchronized. In other words, when the receiver  14  recognizes more than one signal, the leading edges of the signals are not received simultaneously. For example, at the flower garden  34  of  FIG. 2 , where the third electromagnetic field  42  and the conventional electromagnetic field  40  overlap, the receiver  14  receives both the barrier signal  44 , which is generated and transmitted by the third signal generating device  32 , and the conventional signal  48 , which is generated and transmitted by the invisible pet containment system  30 . When the two received signals are unsynchronized, the resulting signal received by the receiver  14  is similar to the unsynchronized signal illustrated at  58  in  FIG. 3 . The receiver  14  recognizes the received signal  58  as a stimulus-causing signal because the received signal  58  has a pulse duration of (t 1 +t 3 ). The received signal  58  is not mistakenly interpreted as a passageway signal  48  because, as previously discussed, t 1 +t 3 &lt;t 2 . Consequently, the receiver  14  administers a stimulus to the pet. Additionally, it is understood that an unsynchronized received signal that includes a passageway signal  46  is interpreted as a passageway signal  46 , even when the pulse duration of the unsynchronized received signal is greater than t 2 , because the receiver  14  interprets a received signal with a pulse duration of t 2  or greater as a passageway signal  46 .  
      From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will recognize that a device for generating an electrical pet gate offering advantages over the prior art has been provided. The device provides a non-tangible electrical pet barrier for doorways and small designated areas. Further, the device provides a non-tangible electrical pet passageway through a conventional invisible pet containment system.  
      While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.