IP Library Granted Patent US 8,978,592
Granted Patent B2
US 8,978,592 · App. 13/190,213 · Granted Mar 17, 2015

System and method for tracking, monitoring, and locating animals

Inventors: Timothy T. Duncan (Tucson, AZ); Sean M. Hayes (Tucson, AZ); Francisco J. Napolez (Tucson, AZ); David T. Whetten (Sahuarita, AZ)
Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
A01K15/021
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,978,592
App. No.
13/190,213
Granted
Mar 17, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An accessory unit is provided for a remotely controlled animal training system. The accessory unit may include a battery, a receiver, a light source, functional unit, a connection and a control. In embodiments, the control may be operable to determine a function and an intensity for the light source based on the received signal and power the light source based on the determined function and intensity. The determined function may cause the light source to flash or illuminate at the highest intensity. The functional unit may be a pressure sensor unit, a GPS unit or a compass.

Claims (20)

1. An accessory unit for a remotely controlled animal training system, comprising:

a battery;

a receiver operable to receive a signal from a remote transmitter;

a light source operable to output light at a plurality of intensities;

a functional unit;

a connection to couple the light source and the functional unit to the battery of the animal training system; and

a control coupled with the receiver, the light source and the functional unit, the control operable to:

determine a function and an intensity for the light source based on the received signal, and

power the light source based on the determined function and intensity.

2. The accessory unit of claim 1 , wherein the functional unit is a pressure sensor unit.

3. The accessory unit of claim 1 , wherein the functional unit is a GPS unit.

4. The accessory unit of claim 1 , wherein the functional unit is a compass.

5. The accessory unit of claim 1 , wherein the functional unit is a pair of electrodes operable to provide electrical stimulation for a plurality of stimulation levels.

6. The accessory unit of claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is a temperature sensor.

7. The accessory unit of claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is a moisture sensor.

8. The accessory unit of claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is a biometric sensor.

9. The accessory unit of claim 1 , wherein the control is responsive to an existing accessory channel in the receiver.

10. The accessory unit of claim 9 , wherein the accessory channel responds to a magnetic-coupled transmission.

11. The accessory unit of claim 1 , wherein the determined function causes the light source to flash.

12. The accessory unit of claim 1 , wherein the determined function causes the light source to illuminate at the highest intensity.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2014
From: TRI-TRONICS, INC.
To: GARMIN SWITZERLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 033211/0193 →
Continuity (4)
Division 12477067 · Jun 2, 2009
Continuation In Part 11835412 · Aug 7, 2007
Provisional Application 60821919 · Aug 9, 2006
Related Publication 20120017846A1 · Jan 26, 2012