Animal-activated system using unique biological features
View Patent ↗Systems and method for animal identification using animal nose prints are disclosed. The system comprises a sensor connected to a computer. The computer contains one or more unique animal nose prints. When an animal nose touches the sensor, the computer determines if the animal nose matches one of the nose prints in the computer. If it does, the system can include a motor or pump to activate additional events such as opening a door, opening a gate, or dispensing food, treats, medicine, or water.
1 . An animal identification system comprising:
(a) a sensor pad having a plurality of discrete sections configured to receive an animal nose print;
(b) a computer in communication with the sensor pad and configured to:
(1) store a plurality of unique animal nose prints;
(2) receive nose print data from the sensor pad; and
(3) determine if received nose print data matches a stored unique animal nose print;
wherein each discrete section of the sensor pad corresponds to a different predetermined action; and wherein the computer is configured to initiate the predetermined action corresponding to the discrete section contacted when a match is determined.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor pad comprises a sensor and is deformable.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the sensor pad comprises a spring, a cushion, a gel, or a non-Newtonian fluid.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor pad comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of capacitive sensors, optical cameras, optical sensors, ultrasonic sensors, thermal sensors, and combinations thereof.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a door.
6 . A method of animal identification and training comprising:
(a) storing one or more unique animal nose prints in a computer database;
(b) providing a deformable sensor pad having multiple discrete sections, each section corresponding to a different predetermined action;
(c) receiving nose print data when an animal contacts one of the discrete sections;
(d) determining if the received nose print data matches a unique animal nose print stored in the computer database;
(e) generating a sensory cue indicating when a successful match is determined; and
(f) initiating the predetermined action corresponding to the contacted discrete section when a successful match is determined;
wherein the predetermined actions are selected from the group consisting of opening a door, dispensing food, dispensing water, dispensing medicine, and generating a notification.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising (g) activating a motor or a pump when the received nose print data matches a unique animal nose print stored in the computer database.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the motor opens a door, opens a gate, or dispenses animal food, treats, or medicine.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the pump is fluidly connected to a water source.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein activating the pump refills a water bowl.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the water bowl further comprises a sensor or a float switch to prevent overfilling.
12 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising generating one or more alerts when the received nose print data matches a unique animal nose print stored in the computer database.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more alerts are selected from the group consisting of an audio alert, a visual alert, a taptic alert, and combinations thereof.
14 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising generating one or more alerts when the received nose print data does not match any unique animal nose print stored in the computer database.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the one or more alerts are selected from the group consisting of an audio alert, a visual alert, a taptic alert, and combinations thereof.
16 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the deformable sensor pad comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of capacitive sensors, optical cameras, optical sensors, ultrasonic sensors, thermal sensors, and combinations thereof.
17 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising storing data in a computer.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the data comprises dates, times, events, animal identification information, a photograph, or a camera image.
19 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising generating a notification on a mobile device.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the notification comprises dates, times, events, animal identification information, a photograph, or a camera image.
21 . An animal-activated home automation system comprising:
(a) a weatherproof sensor configured to receive an animal nose print;
(b) a computer in communication with the sensor and configured to:
(1) store unique animal nose print data; and
(2) authenticate received nose print data against stored nose print data;
(c) a mobile application in communication with the computer and configured to:
(1) receive notifications of sensor activation;
(2) enable remote control of system functions; and
(3) display historical activation data;
wherein the system is integrated with a home automation controller to coordinate animal-activated functions with household functions.
22 . A secure animal identification and access control system comprising:
(a) a deformable sensor pad comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a spring, a cushion, a gel, and a non-Newtonian fluid, the sensor pad configured to:
(1) conform to an animal's nose surface when contacted; and
(2) capture nose print data through the deformable material;
(b) a computer in communication with the sensor pad and configured to:
(1) store authorized nose print patterns; and
(2) authenticate received nose print data; and
(c) an actuator configured to control access to a secured area when authentication is successful;
wherein the system maintains a log of access attempts and successful authentications.