Patents by Inventor Norval Stapelfeld

Norval Stapelfeld has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20190174721
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and reporting to a system user, operational information pertaining to a base station and one or more collar modules of an animal control and activity level and behavior information pertaining to one or more monitored pets. Information regarding the base station and the one or more collar modules is communicated to the system user via a communications portal and a web application executing on a web server. System users interface with the web application via a computer network, e.g. the Internet, and may access information from a location remote from the animal control system through the web application. System users may also modify the operation of the base station, collar modules and/or communications portal by issuing commands to such devices through the web application. The web application also issues alerts and/or notifications to one or more system users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Norval Stapelfeld, Frederic T. Peterson, Daniel V. LaRue, Martin E. Bures, Eric W. Brown, Nicholas B. Mertaugh, Robert M. Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20160021850
    Abstract: An animal control system includes the capability of determining on which side of a containment structure the animal is located. Specifically, the system determines a polarity of a first half-cycle of an active portion of the signal transmitted on the enclosure wire. The determined polarity identifies if the animal is within or outside the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Norval Stapelfeld
  • Patent number: 8006649
    Abstract: A receiver for an animal control system having a correction monitor which indicates that the animal has attempted to challenge the system, as determined by the occurrence of one or more correction events within a specified period of time. A correction event occurs when a stimulus is applied to the animal. The stimulus may be an audible alert, or may be an electrical shock. The correction monitor is operative to monitor correction events and to provide an indication that an event has occurred. In one embodiment, the correction event can be signaled to a user at the receiver by use of an LED or other indicator or display which is latched on for a defined period of time. In another embodiment, the correction event can be signaled to a user at a central location, such as by an indicator or display in the animal owner's house. The correction event may also be signaled remotely via a communications path or network, and displayed in any suitable manner at one or more remote locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Dogwatch Inc.
    Inventors: Norval Stapelfeld, Frederic T. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20090071413
    Abstract: A receiver for an animal control system having a correction monitor which indicates that the animal has attempted to challenge the system, as determined by the occurrence of one or more correction events within a specified period of time. A correction event occurs when a stimulus is applied to the animal. The stimulus may be an audible alert, or may be an electrical shock. The correction monitor is operative to monitor correction events and to provide an indication that an event has occurred. In one embodiment, the correction event can be signaled to a user at the receiver by use of an LED or other indicator or display which is latched on for a defined period of time. In another embodiment, the correction event can be signaled to a user at a central location, such as by an indicator or display in the animal owner's house. The correction event may also be signaled remotely via a communications path or network, and displayed in any suitable manner at one or more remote locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Norval Stapelfeld, Frederic T. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6825768
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic correction system and technique for a pet containment system in which the correction levels of the electrical stimulus and/or audio or visual warning are adaptively adjusted in accordance with the behavior of a particular dog or other animal. In one mode of operation, the system is set to a baseline correction level at which a predetermined warning such as an audible beep is provided when the animal enters a first detection zone, and a predetermined electrical stimulus is provided when the animal enters a second detection zone. The correction levels are automatically adjusted in response to one or more parameters of the animal's behavior. One example of animal behavior to be corrected is repeated challenge by the animal to the system by repeated entry into the first or second detection zone within a defined period of time. Another example of behavior to be corrected is the animal remaining in a detection zone beyond a specified time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Dogwatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Norval Stapelfeld, Frederic Peterson
  • Patent number: 6575120
    Abstract: An animal control system is provided in which an AM transmission signal includes qualification criteria which upon proper decoding provides intended stimuli to an animal. The transmit signal comprises modulated pulses having a first amplitude and a second amplitude which upon decoding represent logic zero and logic one states. The receiver employs microprocessor based digital circuitry for decoding and processing of the AM transmit signal. The transmit signal is transmitted in alternating odd and even frames, each of which has particular characteristics and which upon proper decoding by the receiver causes successive weak and strong stimuli to be provided to the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Dogwatch Inc.
    Inventors: Norval Stapelfeld, Frederic T. Peterson, Thomas Mariner
  • Publication number: 20030034893
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic correction system and technique for a pet containment system in which the correction levels of the electrical stimulus and/or audio or visual warning are adaptively adjusted in accordance with the behavior of a particular dog or other animal. In one mode of operation, the system is set to a baseline correction level at which a predetermined warning such as an audible beep is provided when the animal enters a first detection zone, and a predetermined electrical stimulus is provided when the animal enters a second detection zone. The correction levels are automatically adjusted in response to one or more parameters of the animal's behavior. One example of animal behavior to be corrected is repeated challenge by the animal to the system by repeated entry into the first or second detection zone within a defined period of time. Another example of behavior to be corrected is the animal remaining in a detection zone beyond a specified time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: DogWatch Inc.
    Inventors: Norval Stapelfeld, Frederic Peterson
  • Patent number: 6467435
    Abstract: An improved animal control system for controlling the movement of an animal includes a transmitter/control unit for generating a frequency modulated transmit signal, an antenna defining an area and for radiating the transmit signal, and a battery-powered receiver/stimulus unit for receiving and discriminating the transmit signal and for applying a stimulus to the animal upon qualification of the received transmit signal. The system may be used to contain an animal within, or restrict an animal from, the defined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Dogwatch Inc.
    Inventors: Norval Stapelfeld, Frederic T. Peterson, Thomas Mariner
  • Patent number: 6360698
    Abstract: An improved animal control system for controlling the movement of an animal includes a transmitter/control unit for generating a Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) transmit signal, an antenna defining an area and for radiating the FSK transmit signal, and a battery-powered receiver/stimulus unit for receiving and discriminating the FSK transmit signal and for applying a stimulus to the animal upon qualification of the received FSK transmit signal. The system may be used to contain an animal within, or restrict an animal from, the defined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Dogwatch Inc.
    Inventors: Norval Stapelfeld, Frederic T. Peterson, Thomas Mariner
  • Publication number: 20010035134
    Abstract: An improved animal control system for controlling the movement of an animal includes a transmitter/control unit for generating a frequency modulated transmit signal, an antenna defining an area and for radiating the transmit signal, and a battery-powered receiver/stimulus unit for receiving and discriminating the transmit signal and for applying a stimulus to the animal upon qualification of the received transmit signal. The system may be used to contain an animal within, or restrict an animal from, the defined area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Norval Stapelfeld, Frederic T. Peterson, Thomas Mariner