Animal husbandry – Animal controlling or handling – Mechanical wave producing device
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-13
2003-07-15
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Animal controlling or handling
Mechanical wave producing device
C119S905000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06591786
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system, device, and method for remote, electronic verbal, communication between a human handler and a trainable animal. The invention discloses a solution to many problems inherent in controlling trained animals remotely, for search and rescue, security, anti-terrorism, medical rescue, law enforcement or military purposes. More specifically, this invention deals with the covert control and training of dogs in various emergency situations.
2. Background of the Prior Art
In the prior art, animals have been controlled or trained by remote communications systems which where delivered by receivers which would stimulate, shock the animal or output audible alarms or beeps. These devices typically used a receiver device attached to a collar of the animal. Oftentimes, such a device required an antenna or similar device as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,116 to Kim et al. A training device that uses an antenna protruding from the animal's collar could get caught on objects such as tree branches or similar obstacles that the animal may encounter. The invention described in '116 uses electric shock as negative reinforcement and allows a human voice to deliver positive reinforcement through a receiver.
Kim also discloses an animal training system in U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,843. In this art, Kim describes training signals, which can be sent from a handler's remote transmitter to a receiver attached to an animal. In this instance, Kim uses shock to stimulate the animal wearing a collar, which collar has a receiving antenna woven into fabric of said collar.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,271 Touchton et al disclose a multi-channel animal control device which use radio signals and stimuli to keep an animal in a controlled area. '271 has no animal/handler direct communication as does the instant invention.
Much of the prior art involving animal training devices use external antennae and other covert attachments to an animal, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,589 to Curen et al and several patents (U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,682, 4,794,402, and 4,802,482 to Gouda et al. Sounds and electrical stimuli are used to control dogs in these cases. The dog being controlled wears a collar. Another prior art patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,261 to Westrick discloses a pet confinement system in which a dog receives stimuli through a collar. In contrast, the instant invention requires no animal collar, nor is the animal confined.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,470 to Rose, a receiver, battery, and control circuit are combined in a nose clip for control of the animal. The instant invention uses no such device.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,439 Duncan et al disclose a remote-controlled animal training system that employs both a collar-mounted stimulus receiver and electric stimuli to control an animal. The instant invention uses neither.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,880 Anderson et al describe an animal control system using global positioning and instrumental animal conditioning which may have a device inserted in the ear canal of an animal. This art, however, uses aversive stimuli, a global positioning system, a dedicated computer system and is geared to the control and positioning of livestock. It is not akin to the animal/handler communication of the present invention.
Animal training devices that are not covert are typified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,699 to Keever. Keever uses a flexible leash to control and train a dog. The device depicted therein is not at all hidden or remote as is the instant invention, and features no method or device for covert control of a trained animal by a handler by a device easily placed in the animal's ear.
The need for covert control of trained animals has become newsworthy of late, due to the importance of rescue animals after the catastrophe of Sep. 11
th
2001
. The Wall Street Journal
, on Sep. 25, 2001 had an article entitled “Porkchop Is Among Hero Dogs Combing Trade Center Rubble” which describes what is believed to be the largest canine deployment ever. This operation used an estimated 350 dogs performing recovery and rescue at the World Trade Center disaster. The need for trained dogs to hear commands in such situations is of critical importance. In many cases where rescue dogs are employed, such as military, law enforcement, security, and the like the ability of the human handler to speak commands that are audible to the trained animal without others hearing them is extremely important.
In many environments in which the trained animals may be deployed, the ambient noise level may be extremely high due to the use of heavy equipment, shouting, or gunfire. Environments which produce echoing (such as stairwells), or high ambient noise levels may impair a handlers ability to communicate with a trained animal therefore increasing the chance of accidents as well as decreasing the efficiency of the team. The instant invention solves problems such as these by greatly minimizing these extraneous sounds to the trained rescue animal.
There is other art that was concerned with communicating with dogs. Among these are Allen II et al, who is U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,398 disclose a remotely controlled dog muzzle. This device is not covert in any way, and is equipped with stimulus generators and a cup-shaped snout that are used to control the dog. The instant invention uses no electronic stimuli or snout.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,316 Swanson, Jr. involves simulating the presence of a canine partner by a police officer by a machine that barks. It is used by a policeman activating a mounted audio player in a patrol car, and although simulates the help of a canine to an officer covertly, is not by any means relevant to an actual canine. This patent demonstrates how important the work of a police dog is to the law enforcement community.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,976 Bartschi et al disclose a micro-receiver for receiving a high frequency signal. Said receiver is designed to fit into the external auditory canal of a person. Also mentioned in this patent (column 3 line 10) is the ability of a people in certain situations, such as disaster relief workers or if a team's manager needs to communicate with players on a field. The microreceiver discussed in '976 is made by the Phonak Communications AG of Switzerland. A micro-receiver used as a receiving device in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is made by Phonak.
The instant use of the micro-receiver described in '976 differs from the use described in '976 because the receiving device of this invention is inserted in a mold that is placed in the vertical and horizontal canals of an animal's ear. As will be shown in the detailed description of this invention that follows, the custom-fitting operation of this invention is not trivial and requires the creation and use of a mold that is custom-fitted to the ear
4
of each animal
2
that is used in service.
The present invention provides a solution to the problem animal handlers have traditionally encountered in similar dangerous situations. There is a need to speak commands to the trained animal on a mission, when the small trained animal can fit into places that a larger (and less flexible) human handler cannot follow him. The present invention describes how a signal receiving device can be safely inserted in an animal's ear for purposes of commanding and controlling the trained animal. The handler uses a transmitting device, which may be hand-held or used with a headset and attached microphone, into which he speaks commands to direct the animal as he wishes. The handler may be up to one half mile away from the trained animal while the command and control activity is taking place. Since there are no wires, chains, leashes or similar visible, non-covert devices in this invention clandestine communication is achievable between handler and trained animal.
In this invention, a receiving device is embedded in a polymeric material which has been molded to the shape of the trained animal's inner ear, cured and
Friedman Lori M.
Jordan Charles T.
Nelson Judith A.
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