Abstract:
A pet product adapted for automatic, unattended recharging includes an wireless charging system having at least two coils. One coil, which is attached to an external source of electrical power, is disposed in a pet mat, bed, or near to a location where a pet is expected to spend significant time. A second coil is electrically coupled to a rechargeable battery in the pet product, which is typically attached to the pet&#39;s collar.

Description:
STATEMENT OF RELATED CASES 
       [0001]    This disclosure claims priority of U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 62/237,692 filed Oct. 6, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to pet products, and more particularly to battery-powered pet products. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are numerous electronic pet products in widespread use today that utilize, as all or part of their system, a collar-mounted module (hereinafter “collar module”) comprising a housing, electronic circuitry, and a rechargeable energy storage device, such as a battery, etc. A specific portion of the electronic circuitry, which portion is referenced herein as a “receiver,” is used to detect, sense, or otherwise receive electrical or mechanical signals or to collect some form of information or data (hereinafter referenced collectively as “signals”). These signals may be from another component of the product such as a base station, controller or transmitter, or from public sources, such as GPS or other GNSS satellite or location services (hereinafter referenced collectively as “GPS”). These signals, as transmitted or received, may be information bearing or not and may be in the form of sound or inertial data. 
         [0004]    One example of such a pet product is a virtual fencing system, which is used by a homeowner to prevent the family pet, usually a dog, from wandering away from their property. One type of virtual fencing system employs a buried wire that defines a containment boundary. The wire radiates a signal that is sensed by a collar module that is worn by a monitored animal. As the monitored animal approaches the boundary, the signal is sensed and the device delivers a correction (e.g., sound, electric shock, etc.) to the animal to dissuade it from breaching the boundary. The term “correction” is used hereinafter to collectively refer to warnings (sound, vibration, etc.) and/or stimulus (electric shock, citronella discharge, etc.). 
         [0005]    Another type of virtual fencing system uses a wireless positioning system, such as GPS, to establish a boundary and determine an animal&#39;s location. This type of system includes a collar module, worn by the animal, which typically includes a GPS positioning receiver, a means for applying a correction, suitable control and logic circuitry/software (hereinafter referred to collectively as a “processor”), and a battery. The collar module establishes a containment boundary. The boundary is defined by positional coordinates, which are obtained from the GPS positioning receiver. In use (after the boundary is defined), the processor compares the position of the receiver (i.e., the position of a monitored animal) as determined real-time by the GPS positioning receiver, with the containment boundary. In some such systems, as the animal approaches a warning zone near the boundary, a warning is delivered. If the animal continues toward the boundary, a stimulus is typically administered to the animal. 
         [0006]    In a buried-wired system, if an animal attempts to return to the original containment zone, it will be corrected (i.e., receive a stimulus) as it nears the wire. This provides a disincentive to return to the containment zone. Furthermore, in such systems, the ability to control the animal is lost once breach occurs. By contrast, in some wireless fencing systems, there is no disincentive for an animal to re-cross a breached boundary. Some such systems can suspend correction once breach occurs. Also, some such systems have the ability to dynamically change the boundary, which effectively suspends correction and, more importantly, regains control of an animal after breach has occurred. 
         [0007]    There are, however, some drawbacks associated with wireless fencing systems. One drawback relates to power consumption. In particular, wireless fencing systems consume power at a greater rate than buried-wire systems. This is a consequence of location (i.e., GPS) readings, which are obtained during operation of a wireless system. Furthermore, some of the wireless systems incorporate various sensors for evaluating specific types of animal movement. The operation of such sensors also consumes power. Furthermore, some of the wireless systems incorporate radio transmitters or transceivers to communicate with a base station, Smartphone or other device. These transmitters and transceivers are also power consumers. 
         [0008]    The relatively greater power consumption associated with wireless fencing systems requires recharging the battery in the collar module on a relatively frequent basis. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present invention provides for automatic, unattended recharging of an energy-storage device as used in pet products, such as, without limitation, wireless-fencing systems. The energy storage device, which can be a rechargeable battery, super capacitor, a combination of both, etc., is hereinafter referred to collectively as a “rechargeable battery”, or simply “battery”. 
         [0010]    There are numerous electronic pet products that are at least partly contained within a module mounted to a collar affixed around the neck of the pet. These collar modules contain a rechargeable battery, and various other electronic components as their specific functions may require. It is necessary to periodically recharge these devices, which mandates removal of the product from the animal for as long a period-of-time as may be required to achieve a full recharge. The inventor recognized that a far better solution would be to implement a wireless recharging system that would not require removal of the collar from the pet and that would automatically recharge the battery without the intervention or attention of the pet owner. 
         [0011]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, any of a variety of electronic pet products include a wireless (i.e., inductive) charging system. Although most beneficial for wireless fencing systems (e.g., RF signal strength, GPS, WiFi, etc.), embodiments of the invention are also useful in conjunction with buried-wire fencing systems. And in some additional embodiments, the present teachings can be applied to provide automatic, unattended recharging of other pet products such as, and without limitation:
       various locators/trackers for pets, field-trial dogs and hunting dogs;   automatic pet and kennel doors triggered by unidirectional or bidirectional radio signals, ultrasonic signals, or other non-contact means;   bark control collars used to modify a dog&#39;s barking behavior; and   activity monitors that measure and relay physical activity data of a pet either continuously, periodically, or upon demand.       
 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the wireless charging system comprises two coils. One coil, which is attached to a source of power, is disposed in a pet mat, blanket, bed or other device near or upon which an animal could reasonably be expected to spend significant time. In the illustrative embodiment, this coil (hereinafter referred to as the “transmitting coil”) receives low-voltage power from a wall-mount power supply, suitable for use indoors or outside. The transmitting coil is typically encapsulated in a waterproof plastic casing and is referred to hereinafter as a “charging pad.” The charging pad may incorporate a permanent magnet to facilitate holding the charging pad against the collar unit in proper alignment with the receiving coil. The transmitting and receiving coils may each incorporate a shielding plate in accordance with one or more of the wireless charging standards (e.g., Qi, Powermat, A4WP, etc.) in order to minimize heating of surrounding metal objects and minimize the required number of coil turns for a given design. In instances where a shielding plate is employed, the holding magnet within the charging pad will be attracted to the shielding plate within the collar module. If a shielding plate is not employed, the magnet will be attracted to a metal (i.e., steel) disc typically found within rechargeable pet-product collar modules employed to hold these modules securely in place and to maintain good electrical contact when positioned upon their respective conventional (non-wireless) external chargers. 
         [0017]    The second coil (hereinafter referred to as the “receiving coil”) is electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery in the collar module, which is typically attached to the pet&#39;s collar. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the wireless charging system uses resonant inductive charging, which increases the range or distance over which the charging energy can be transmitted. In resonant inductive charging, the two coils are each part of resonant circuits that are tuned to resonate at the same frequency. 
         [0019]    In some other embodiments, the wireless charging system comprises, in addition to the coils (and, in some embodiments, resonant circuits), Bluetooth or other active or passive communications or proximity-detection circuitry to initiate and control the charging regime. Active communication circuitry can be unidirectional (e.g., signaling some information from the charger to the collar module or vice versa, or to the pet owner, etc.) or bidirectional (e.g., handshake signals between charger and collar module acknowledging detection and charging initiation, collar module signaling back to the charger to adjust power level, or to determine that charging is complete and terminate the charge cycle, etc.,). Passive communication circuitry can, for example, detect the induced voltage in the receiving coil or detect the reflected load in the transmitting coil when the coils are in close proximity. 
         [0020]    One advantage of embodiments of the invention is that battery recharging occurs, fully or partially, anytime the rechargeable battery (which is typically in the collar module on the pet&#39;s collar) and charging pad are in close proximity. This can be overnight on a bed or during the day on a mat or blanket that the pet lays on, or against a wall. 
         [0021]    As previously indicated, in some embodiments the transmitting coil(s) are encapsulated within a waterproof casing and are hereinafter referred to as the charging pad. In some embodiments, the charging pad may be embedded within a pet bed, mat, or blanket. In some other embodiments, the wireless charging system comprises a flat, standalone (i.e., non-embedded) charging pad upon which the customer could place a standard pet bed, mat, or blanket. If the pet sleeps on its master&#39;s bed, the standalone charging pad can be placed on that bed. In yet some further embodiments, the charging pad is disposed in a linear housing that mounts upon, or sits adjacent to, the base molding of a wall where the pet normally lays or sleeps. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, multiple transmitting coils are disposed within the embedded or standalone charging pad to facilitate better coupling of the transmitting and receiving coils. In yet some further embodiments, multiple receiving coils are disposed within the collar module or within the collar strap itself (and electrically connected to the collar module) to facilitate better coupling of the transmitting and receiving coils. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, multiple charging pads or an enlarged charging pad with multiple sets of one or more spatially separated coils, may be disposed within a pet bed, mat, or blanket to accommodate more than one pet concurrently. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, a transmitting coil is disposed in an asymmetrical position within a pet bed, mat, or blanket to facilitate repositioning by reversing and or flipping over the pet bed, mat or blanket. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, a transmitting coil is disposed within a molded plastic housing connected with a retractable cord. A cord retracting mechanism is disposed along the length of the flexible cord between the charging pad and the power module. The retractor is positioned such that there is sufficient cord on one side to conveniently connect the power module to a wall outlet or other source of power and so that there is sufficient cord on the other side to extend the charging pad to reach from where the retractor is affixed or positioned to where the collar is on a pet lying adjacent to the charger. 
         [0026]    As previously indicated, transmitting coils are disposed singly or in multiples in various layouts. Where a single transmitting coil might be placed, in some embodiments, plural charging coils are disposed in a close, symmetrical flower-like pattern in place of the single coil. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, an audible tone, series of tones, or blinking lamp(s) indicate proper coupling level of the transmitting and receiving coils. To create the tone, in some embodiments, a small audio transducer (e.g., speaker, piezo device, buzzer, etc.) is incorporated within the charger module. To generate light, a small light emitter(s) (e.g., LED, incandescent lamp, etc.,) is incorporated within the charger module. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, charging communication circuitry is employed, wherein the charging communication circuitry is used for one or more of the following purposes, among any others:
       detection of a collar unit   initiation and control of the charging regime   feedback to the user about the positioning of the charging pad with respect to the collar unit   feedback to the user of the level of the energy transfer (i.e., some percentage ofmaximum capability)   present charging status.       
 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, a Smartphone app is used to determine the optimum position of the transmitting coils and/or their coupling level with the receiving coil(s). Most, if not all, Smartphones have Bluetooth capability for communicating with other devices (e.g., car audio system, wireless speaker, etc.) and this capability is used to link the phone to the charger. In some embodiments of the invention, the wireless charging integrated circuits have integral Bluetooth capability. In some other embodiments a discrete or separate Bluetooth radio is employed. Those skilled in the art will know how to design an application for the Smartphone that enables the Smartphone to communicate with the inductive charging system and provide audible and or visual feedback of the charging activity to the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  depicts an electronic pet product including a wireless charging system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a charging base of the wireless charging system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 3A  depicts a first embodiment of a charging pad of the charging base of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 3B  depicts a second embodiment of a charging pad of the charging base of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 3C  depicts a third embodiment of a charging pad of the charging base of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 3D  depicts a fourth embodiment of a charging pad of the charging base of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 3E  depicts a fifth embodiment of a charging pad of the charging base of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 4  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a power module of the charging base of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 5A  depicts a pet bed that incorporates the charging base. 
           [0044]      FIG. 5B  depicts a pet bed that incorporates the embodiment of the charging base of  FIG. 3E . 
           [0045]      FIG. 5C  depicts a floor mat that incorporates the charging base. 
           [0046]      FIG. 5D  depicts a wall mounted structure that incorporates the charging base. 
           [0047]      FIG. 6  depicts a schematic of an illustrative embodiment of the collar module of the wireless charging system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0048]      FIGS. 7A-7D  depict illustrative product-specific circuitry of the collar module as a function of the nature of the electronic pet product. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0049]      FIG. 1  depicts dog  101  and electronic pet product  100  incorporating wireless charging system  103  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Pet product  100  is implemented, at least in part, via collar module  104 . Collar module  104  is coupled to (or forms a part of) collar  102 , which is fitted to the neck of dog  101 . Collar  102  may be a neck strap, harness, or other means to affix and support collar module  104 . The collar module comprises battery-powered circuitry and devices that, at least in part, provide the functionality of pet product  100 . A portion of wireless charging system  103  resides within collar module  104 ; namely, wireless charging circuitry  105 . The wireless charging system further includes charging base  106 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 2  depicts an illustrative embodiment of charging base  106 . The charging base comprises power module  208 , electrical cable  210 , and charging pad  212 . The charging pad includes power-transmitting circuitry, described in conjunction with  FIGS. 3A-3E . Electrical cable  210 , which is flexible, conducts power, sourced from any conveniently available electrical power system, to charging pad  212 . Power module  208 , which is depicted in more detail in  FIG. 4 , includes various circuitry/devices for conditioning the power, controlling charging, and providing other related functionality. The power module  208  is disposed in an oversized electrical plug (i.e., a wall wart) or inline along cable  210  (i.e., a brick) or configured in some other form factor known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art will know how to design power module  208  to connect to one or more of the various electrical power systems used throughout the world. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 3A-3E  depict embodiments of charging pad  212 , identified individually as charging pad  212   a  through  212   e  and hereinafter collectively or generically as charging pad(s)  212 . As previously indicated, charging pads  212  contain circuitry/devices for transmitting the power that recharges the battery in collar module  104 . In the illustrative embodiments, this circuitry/devices is embodied in the form of one or more coils. The various embodiments differ mainly in the number and/or location of the coils. In the illustrative embodiment, all charging pads  212  are constructed from plastic material and sealed so as to be waterproof. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3A  depicts charging pad  212 A, which includes a single centrally/symmetrically located transmitting coil  314  disposed in an encapsulating housing  315 A. The size of charging pad  212 A is as small as possible to accommodate a single transmitting coil (c.a. 2″×2″). As the term is used herein and the appended claims, a “coil” includes multiple “turns” of wire, appropriate for creating the halves of an air-gap transformer. A typical coil may comprise  24  turns of wire and be 1.5″×1.5″ in size. 
         [0053]    The design of the coils is based on a multitude of factors and is specific to the type of charger (resonant or non-resonant) and the wireless charging design standard being applied, (e.g., Qi, Powermat, A4WP, etc.). The wire (single or bifilar), number of turns, number of coil layers, and wire gauge, all influence the inductance and dc resistance of the coil, and the resulting voltage gain of the receiving coil and effective power transfer. Coils may be circular, rectangular, or other shape and they may be planar or non-planar. Those skilled in the art will understand how to apply these standards to the circuit and coil design of a wireless charger. As previously mentioned, charging pad  212 A has a relatively small form factor (c.a. 2″×2″ for a single coil) and is appropriate for placement under or within a pet bed, cushion, mat, etc., such that the charging pad will be in close proximity with collar module  104  when the pet is on the pet bed, etc. 
         [0054]      FIG. 3B  depicts charging pad  212   b,  which includes a single off center/asymmetrically located transmitting coil  314  disposed in encapsulating housing  315 B. In some embodiments, charging pad  212 B is in the form of a floor mat or disposed within a floor mat. The asymmetrical placement of transmitting coil  314  within charging pad  212 B is intended to provide near optimum alignment of transmitting coil  314  with collar module  104 . Depending on the preferred position a pet assumes when lying on it, charging pad  212 B can be reversed and or flipped over in order to align transmitting coil  314  with collar module  104 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 3C  depicts a plurality of transmitting coils  314  disposed within charging pad  212 C. This configuration avoids the need to align charging pad  212 C with collar module  104 . This embodiment can also accommodate multiple pets, thereby eliminating the need for more than one charging base  106 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 3D  depicts charging pad  212 D wherein multiple transmitting coils  314  are disposed in a flowerlike pattern (coils arranged at ninety degrees with respect to one another) within larger (c.a. 5″×5″) encapsulating case  315 D. Due to the need for close alignment, the limitation of the size of the receiving coil, and the need to keep the receiving coil the same or slightly smaller (c.a. down to about 70%) than the size of the transmitting coils, a flower pattern having a plurality of coils improves the likelihood of achieving close coupling between the receiving coil and one of the transmitting coils. 
         [0057]      FIG. 3E  Depicts charging pad  212 E wherein single centrally located transmitting coil  314  is disposed concentrically with permanent magnet  316  within very small encapsulating case  315 E (c.a. 1″×1″, or 1″ diameter). In this embodiment of charging pad  212 , the encapsulating case may be a molded plastic housing sufficient in thickness to accommodate a small magnet and to allow it to be easily grasped and placed on collar module  104 . Due to the need for close alignment, the practical limitation of the size of the receiving coil, and the need to keep the receiving coil the same or slightly smaller (c.a. down to about 70%) than the size of the transmitting coils, a magnetically positioned transmitting coil  314  will achieve a very high coupling factor due to the close coupling and precise alignment between the receiving coil  646  and transmitting coil  314 . In some embodiments wherein a shielding plate (not depicted) is incorporated within collar unit  104 , magnet  316  is attracted to the shielding plate. In some other embodiments wherein a metal (i.e., steel) disc (not depicted) is incorporated within collar unit  104 , magnet  316  is attracted to the metal disc. 
         [0058]      FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of power module  208  of charging base  106 , comprising power conditioning circuitry  417  to interface with an external supply of electrical power  424  (i.e., an electrical utility grid), power controller  418  to supervise and control the charging function, and transmitting resonant power circuitry  422  to drive transmitting coil  314 . Charging communication circuitry  420 , which is optional, may be included to facilitate features such as:
       1. Detection of the device being charged (i.e., collar module  104 ) in order to power up transmitting resonant power circuitry  422 .   2. Communication with the device being charged (i.e., collar module  104 ), in order to provide feedback about how well the transmitting coil  314  is coupling with collar unit  104 .   3. Determination of which transmitting coil(s)  314  within charging pad  212   c  are within coupling range of collar unit(s)  104 .       
 
         [0062]      FIG. 5A  depicts an embodiment wherein charging pad  212  is disposed within pet bed  526 . This enables recharging to take place anytime the pet is within the bed. This provides for nightly recharging which is typically more than the pet product would normally require. Power unit  208  is plugged into a standard wall outlet and flexible electrical cable  210  allows for easy placement of charging pad  212  within pet bed  526 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 5B  depicts an embodiment wherein electrical cable  210  passes through cord retractor  527  to charging pad  212 E. Cord retractor  527  retracts charging pad  212 E when not in use. Cord retractor  527  may be affixed to the wall, a pet bed, or wherever a pet sleeps or spends significant time lying down. When the pet is within pet bed  526 , charging pad  212 E may be pulled away from retractor  527  and placed on collar unit  104  where it is held in place by magnet  316 . Cord retractor  527  prevents the pet from chewing on cable  210  or becoming entangled with it. 
         [0064]      FIG. 5C  depicts an embodiment wherein charging pad  212  is disposed within outer casing  530 , forming mat  528 , which can serve as a household floor, door, or pet mat. This provides for daily recharge periods whenever a pet lies on mat  528 . Power unit  208  is plugged into a standard wall outlet and flexible electrical cord  210  allows for easy placement of mat  528 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 5D  depicts an embodiment wherein charging pad  212  is disposed within outer casing  534 , forming wall-mounted mat  532 . Wall mat  532  is placed adjacent to a pet&#39;s favorite spot on the floor. This provides for daily recharge periods whenever the pet lays adjacent to wall mat  532 . The power unit  208  is plugged into a standard wall outlet and flexible electrical cord  210  allows for easy placement of wall mat  532 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 6  depicts an embodiment of wireless charging circuitry  105  within collar module  104 . Those skilled in the art will know how to design a circuit to receive energy by means of a receiving coil  646  from a transmitting coil  314  connected to an external source of electrical energy (i.e., an electrical utility grid). In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 , wireless charging circuitry  105  includes resonant power receiving circuitry  644 , which harvests energy from receiving coil  646  in order to charge battery  642 . Although advantageous, resonant power receiving circuit  644  is optional. 
         [0067]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 , wireless charging circuitry  105  includes charging communication circuitry  640 , which facilitates features described in conjunction with charging communication circuitry  420  (FIG. 4 ). Charging communication circuitry  640  is optional (although typically included in embodiments that include charging communication circuitry  420 ). 
         [0068]    Processor  638  interfaces with and controls wireless charging circuitry  105 . Collar module  104  also comprises product-specific circuitry  636 , which is specific to the pet product and discussed in further detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 7A through 7D . 
         [0069]      FIG. 7A  depicts salient elements of product-specific circuitry  636 A within collar module  104  for embodiments in which the pet product is a virtual fencing system. Product-specific circuitry  636 A comprises, without limitation, receiver  750  to detect signals such as GPS, Rf, WiFi, or the field emitted by the wire of a buried wire fence and correction circuitry  748  that provides a warning, and if necessary, a correction to the animal based on evaluation of the signals received by processor  638  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0070]      FIG. 7B  depicts salient elements of product-specific circuitry  636 B within collar module  104  for embodiments in which the pet product is a tracking device, such as is used with hunting and field trial dogs. Product-specific circuitry  636 B comprises, without limitation, receiver  750  to detect position signals such as GPS and location data transmitter  752  to relay position data (e.g., coordinates, or distance and direction data, etc.) to a hand-held tracking unit. Collected data is processed and formatted as necessary for transmission by processor  638  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0071]      FIG. 7C  depicts salient elements of product-specific circuitry  636 C within collar module  104  for embodiments in which the pet product is an activity monitoring device, such as can be used to determine if a pet is getting sufficient exercise. Product-specific circuitry  636 C comprises, without limitation, motion sensors  754  to detect the magnitude, or magnitude and direction, of motion of the pet. Collected data is processed and formatted as necessary and stored for transmission or upload by data upload circuitry  756  and processor  638  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0072]      FIG. 7D  depicts product-specific circuitry  636 D within collar module  104  for embodiments in which the pet product is a bark collar, such as is used to correct the barking behavior of a dog. Product-specific circuitry  636 D comprises, without limitation, microphone  758  to detect the presence and magnitude of barking sounds made by the pet and correction circuitry  748  to provide warning and, if necessary, correction to the animal based on evaluation of the signals received by the processor  638 . 
         [0073]    It is to be understood that the disclosure teaches just one example of the illustrative embodiment and that many variations of the invention can easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the following claims.