Animal training system
View Patent ↗A base of an animal training includes a dispenser that comprises a storage compartment configured to store rewards and to dispense rewards, a base signaling module configured to generate a reward signal, and a base wireless module configured to receive a dispense signal. A first target is detached from the base at a first target location at a first fixed distance from the base. The first target comprises a first target signaling module, a first sensor, and a first target wireless module. A second target is disposed at a second location, wherein the second location is a fixed distance from the base and comprises a second target signaling module, a second sensor, and a second target wireless module. The base further comprises a system configuration module, the system configuration module configured to access and modify configuration information of the dispenser, the first target, and the second target.
1. A system for training an animal, comprising:
a base comprising a dispenser;
wherein the dispenser comprises a storage compartment configured to store rewards and to dispense rewards, a base signaling module configured to generate a reward signal, and a base wireless module configured to receive a dispense signal;
a first target detached from the base at a first target location, wherein the first target location is a first fixed distance from the base, the first target comprising a first target signaling module, a first sensor, and a first target wireless module;
a second target detached from the base at a second target location, wherein the second target location is a second fixed distance from the base and comprises a second target signaling module, a second sensor, and a second target wireless module;
a system configuration module configured to access and modify configuration information of the dispenser, the first target, and the second target;
wherein the system configuration information comprises a training program, the training program comprising a target activation schedule;
wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are each configured to detect at least one of a plurality of predetermined animal behaviors according to the target activation schedule;
wherein the first target wireless module and the second target wireless module are each configured to transmit a dispense signal to each other in response to a detected predetermined animal behavior; and
wherein the dispenser is further configured to generate a reward signal and to dispense a reward only in response to a received dispense signal.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first sensor further comprises a touch-sensitive area; and
the at least one of a plurality of predetermined animal behaviors comprises touching the touch-sensitive area.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first sensor further comprises a plurality of touch-sensitive areas; and
the at least one of a plurality of predetermined animal behaviors comprises touching a predetermined first one of the plurality of touch-sensitive areas.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first sensor further comprises a plurality of touch-sensitive areas; and
the at least one of a plurality of predetermined animal behaviors comprises touching a first one of the plurality of touch-sensitive areas and a second one of the plurality of touch-sensitive areas.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first sensor further comprises a plurality of touch-sensitive areas; and
the at least one of a plurality of predetermined animal behaviors comprises touching a first one of the plurality of touch-sensitive areas and a second one of the plurality of touch-sensitive areas, in a predetermined order.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first sensor further comprises an image capture device; and
the at least one of a plurality of predetermined animal behaviors comprises arranging the animal in a predetermined posture.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first target further comprises a first trigger signal generator configured to generate a first trigger signal; and
the at least one of a plurality of predetermined animal behaviors comprises a predetermined action performed within a predetermined time period beginning at the generation of the first trigger signal.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the second target further comprises a second trigger signal generator configured to generate a second trigger signal; and
wherein the at least one of a plurality of predetermined animal behaviors comprises a predetermined action performed within a predetermined time period beginning at the generation of the second trigger signal.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first target further comprises a first trigger signal generator configured to generate a first trigger signal; and
the target activation schedule instructs the first target to generate the first trigger signal within a predetermined time period relative to the second sensor detecting at least one of a plurality of predetermined animal behaviors.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the target activation schedule indicates manual activation based on input received from a user.