A method of applying at least one of a stimulus and a warning signal to an animal includes selecting a maximum desired distance between the animal and a transmitter, transmitting a radio frequency signal from the transmitter at a first point in time, and receiving the radio frequency signal with a receiver attached to the animal. An ultrasonic frequency signal is transmitted from the transmitter at a second point in time. A first time difference between the second point in time and the first point in time varies inversely with the selected maximum desired distance. The ultrasonic frequency signal is received with the receiver at a third point in time. A second time difference between the third point in time and the first point in time is calculated. It is determined whether the animal is beyond the maximum desired distance from the transmitter by comparing the second time difference with at least one threshold time difference. A stimulus and/or a warning signal is selectively applied to the animal dependent upon the determining step.
A system is provided for containing an animal in a defined area. The system comprises first, second, and third communicating units. One of the first two units defines a containment area, and the other unit is operatively associated with the animal. One of the first two units transmits an ultrasonic timing signal at a periodic interval, and the other unit receives the timing signal, and determining a distance between the first and second units. If the distance corresponds to the animal being outside the containment area, one of the first two units generates a warning signal. A third unit monitors whether or not the animal is within the defined area.
An apparatus is provided for containing an animal in a defined area. The apparatus comprises first and second communicating units; one operatively associated with the animal, and the other positioned to locate the area. At least one of the units is adapted to transmit a signal, and at least one of the units is adapted to receive the signal. A circuit is adapted to measure the transmission time or change in transmission time of the signal and calculate the distance between the first and second units. At least one of the first and second units is configured to emit an output to contain the animal in the area when the transmission time corresponds to the animal leaving the area.
A portable animal tracking system. The portable animal tracking system provides two-way communication between a first unit carried by an operator and a second unit carried by an animal. The first unit allows an operator to issue warnings or corrections to an animal and to locate an animal. The second unit delivers warnings and corrections to the animal by the second unit and responds to location requests from the first unit. Location is accomplished through an angular-bearing analysis.
A method of providing wireless animal confinement includes the steps of selecting a location of a transmitter assembly; attaching a receiver assembly to the animal, the receiver assembly being adapted to selectively provide a corrective stimulation to the animal; selecting a first distance between the transmitter assembly and the receiver assembly to define a first zone within which no corrective stimulation is provided to the animal by the receiver assembly; selecting a second distance between the transmitter assembly and the receiver assembly to define a second zone beyond the first zone within which the corrective stimulation is provided to the animal by the receiver assembly; and selecting a third distance between the transmitter assembly and the receiver assembly to define a third zone beyond the second zone within which the animal will receive no further corrective stimulation from the receiver assembly.
The invention discloses a system, device, and method for covert, wireless communication between a human handler and a trained animal. A small receiving unit is placed in a cured material which has conformed to the contours of a trained animal's inner ear thereby eliminating the need for an invasive method for implanting anything into the animals ear. The receiving unit has no external communication features such as wires or external antennae and thus it is covert. The transmitting unit may be hand-held by the animal's handler or used with a headset and attached microphone. Neither the transmitting or receiving units have any wires or external antennae that may be dangerously snagged while the animal is performing service or be noticed by any onlookers.
