Pet spray training system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9943067-B2
Application number	US-201514952681-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 25, 2015
Priority date	Nov 25, 2015
Publication date	Apr 17, 2018
Grant date	Apr 17, 2018

Abstract

An animal behavior modification device is provided. The device includes a sound or motion sensor that is configured to generate electrical signals in response to an occurrence. The device may include a filter, which is tuned to recognize sound frequencies received by and emitted in proximity to a microphone, and generate an electrical signal in response to recognizing sound frequencies characteristic of a dog's bark. The device further includes a canister that holds a deterrent fluid at substantially ambient pressure. The device additionally comprises a pump configured to draw fluid from the canister in response to the electrical signal from the filter. The pump has a spray nozzle for releasing an emission of the fluid that affects the dog's senses. A method of modifying the behavior of an animal using the device is also provided herein.

First claim

I claim:

1. An animal behavior modification device, comprising:
a sound detection device configured to receive sound frequencies, and in response thereto generate electrical signals;
a filter which conditions the electrical signals from the sound detection device to recognize frequencies characteristic of the bark of a dog;
a first canister configured to hold a bark deterrent fluid at ambient pressure, wherein the bark deterrent fluid is offensive to one or more senses of a dog;
a pump electrically coupled to the filter and in fluid communication with the first canister, the pump having an electrical motor and being configured to draw fluid from the first canister in response to conditioned electrical signals from the filter indicative of the bark of a dog;
a spray nozzle configured to release an emission of the bark deterrent fluid when the electrical motor is activated;
a battery arranged to provide power to the electrical motor and to circuitry associated with the filter;
a receiver;
a first housing for holding the first canister, the pump, the battery, the receiver and the spray nozzle, with the first housing being configured to be coupled to a collar of a dog; and
a second housing separate from the first housing and being free-standing for holding the sound detection device and the filter, with the second housing further holding a transmitter for sending the conditioned electrical signals to the electrical motor.

2. The animal behavior modification device of claim 1 , wherein the pump is a micro-positive displacement pump.

3. The animal behavior modification device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a speaker configured to emit a sound that precedes, is synchronous with, or that follows the emission of deterrent fluid also in response to conditioned electrical signals from the filter indicative of the bark of a dog.

4. The animal behavior modification device of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one replacement canister configured to contain additional bark deterrent fluid; and
wherein the replacement canister is configured to be threadedly connected to the pump as a replacement to the first canister at ambient pressure.

5. The animal behavior modification device of claim 1 , wherein the spray nozzle is adjustable to generate a range of fluid spray emissions from streams to fine mist of the bark deterrent fluid.

6. The animal behavior modification device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a remote transmitter configured to send a wireless activation signal in response to manual actuation; and
a receiver configured to receive the wireless activation signal, and in response generate an electrical behavior modification signal;
wherein the electrical motor is configured to draw fluid from the first canister in response to the electrical behavioral modification signal from the receiver, and cause the bark deterrent fluid to be released through the spray nozzle.

7. The animal behavior modification device of claim 1 , wherein the pump is a continuous stream pump or a single spray pump.

8. An animal behavior modification device, comprising:
a sound detection device configured to receive sound frequencies, and in response thereto generate electrical signals;
a filter which conditions the electrical signals from the sound detection device to recognize frequencies characteristic of the bark of a dog;
a first canister configured to hold a bark deterrent fluid at ambient pressure;
a micro-positive displacement pump electrically coupled to the filter and in fluid communication with the first canister, the pump having an electrical motor and being configured to draw fluid from the first canister in response to conditioned electrical signals from the filter indicative of the bark of a dog;
a spray nozzle configured to release an emission of the bark deterrent fluid when the electrical motor is activated;
a battery arranged to provide power to the electrical motor and to associated circuitry;
a second canister containing a behavior reinforcement fluid, wherein the behavior reinforcement fluid comprises a solution that is pleasing to a dog's sense of smell, with the second canister being interchangeable with the first canister;
a remote transmitter configured to send a wireless activation signal in response to manual actuation; and
a receiver configured to receive the wireless activation signal, and in response thereto generate an electrical behavior modification signal;
wherein the electrical motor is configured to draw fluid from the second canister in response to the electrical behavioral modification signal from the receiver, and cause the behavior reinforcement fluid to be released through the spray nozzle.

9. The animal behavior modification device of claim 1 , wherein the first canister is fabricated from a bio-degradable material.

10. A method for modifying the behavior of an animal, comprising the steps of:
providing an animal behavior modification device comprising:
a sensor tuned to receive sound frequencies, and in response to generate electrical signals,
a filter which conditions the electrical signals from the sensor,
a first canister holding a bark deterrent fluid at ambient pressure,
a micro-positive displacement pump electrically coupled to the filter and in fluid communication with the first canister, the pump having an electrical motor configured to draw fluid from the first canister in response to conditioned electrical signals from the filter indicative of the bark of a dog,
a spray nozzle for releasing the bark deterrent fluid when the electrical motor is activated, and
a battery arranged to provide power to the electrical motor and to associated electrical circuitry;
a housing for holding at least the sensor, the filter, the pump and the battery;

securing the animal behavior modification device to a collar of a dog; and
activating the pump in response to the sensing of a bark from the dog, thereby creating an emission of bark deterrent fluid to be released for a designated period of time.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the animal modification device further comprises a speaker configured to emit a sound that emulates a spray of fluid also in response to conditioned electrical signals from the filter indicative of the bark of a dog.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of:
removing the first canister from the fluid intake when the bark deterrent fluid is substantially exhausted; and
refilling the first canister with additional bark deterrent fluid, or replacing the canister with a new canister that contains a bark deterrent fluid at ambient pressure.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein:
the bark deterrent fluid comprises a solution that is offensive to one or more senses of a dog; and
the animal behavior modification device further comprises a speaker configured to emit a sound that emulates a spray of fluid also in response to conditioned electrical signals from the filter indicative of the bark of a dog.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of:
adjusting the spray nozzle to generate either a fine mist or a fluid stream of the bark deterrent fluid when the electrical motor is activated.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein:
the animal behavior modification device further includes:
a remote transmitter configured to send a wireless bark deterrent signal in response to manual actuation; and
a receiver configured to receive the wireless bark deterrent signal, and in response generate an electrical behavior modification signal; and

wherein the electrical motor is configured to draw fluid from the fir

Assignees

• Radio Systems Corp

Inventors

• Mainini Christopher E

Classifications

• A01K15/021

  Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats · CPC title

• A01K15/022 Primary

  Anti-barking devices · CPC title