METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A REMOTELY MANAGED ANIMAL COLLAR LOCK
An electro-mechanical animal collar locking clasp with open and close sensors is described that allows a communication device with a unique collar identifying code to lock and unlock the collar. The forced opening of the collar clasp would be detected by the clasp sensors initiating a response to render the collar inoperable.
1 . A remotely managed animal collar lock comprising:
a. a locking clasp with a locking and unlocking mechanism and sensors capable of discerning whether the latch is open or closed;
b. a microprocessor for controlling said locking clasp; and
c. a communication device capable of communicating with the animal collar and locking and unlocking said collar.
2 . The communication device of claim 1 wherein said device is a smart mobile phone.
3 . The communication device of claim 1 wherein said device is a smart mobile pad.
4 . The communication device of claim 1 wherein said device is a proprietary device.
5 . The communication method of claim 1 wherein said device communicates via WiFi.
6 . The communication method of claim 1 wherein said device communicates via Bluetooth.
7 . The device of claim 1 wherein said collar is battery-powered.
8 . A method for locking an animal collar and preventing theft comprising the steps of:
a. registering said collar to the owner using a unique identifying code; and
b. rendering the collar inoperable to a thief when forced open.
9 . The identifying code of claim 8 residing in non-volatile memory.
10 . The method of claim 8 wherein the inoperability includes preventing the clasp from closing.
11 . The device of claim 8 wherein the inoperability includes blocking elements of collar functionality but not the ability to re-link the owner.