Abstract: A filtration system for a pet water fountain is provided. The filtration system utilizes a pump placed within or along a watering bowl. The water filtration system also utilizes a multi-stage filtering device. In one aspect, the multi-stage filtering device includes a first filtering stage representing copper zinc alloy particles, and a second filtering stage representing granulated activated carbon particles. Each stage may constitute filtering material that is separated into an array of cells residing along a vertical frame or is separated into stages placed in series within a tubular cartridge. A method for filtering water in a pet fountain is also provided herein.

Abstract: An electronic pet door is provided herein. The electronic pet door includes a pivotal flap and a frame that defines a through-way. A rotatable knob is mounted to the frame and has a handle portion and a stop wall. The handle portion and stop wall include various profiles and configurations that work in concert to control the flap's direction of pivotal movement. In a first configuration, the flap may swing outwardly or inwardly. A second configuration prevents the flap from swinging inwardly. A third configuration prevents the flap from swinging outwardly. A fourth configuration places the flap is in a locked position to prevent swinging in either direction. The electronic door also includes an electronic latch mechanism which selectively latches and unlatches the flap. The latch mechanism unlatches the flap in response to a wireless signal from an electronic transmitter that may be affixed to a pet.

Abstract: An animal feeding system includes a receptacle comprising a microcontroller, one or more applications running on at least one processor of a mobile device, and an access point, wherein the microcontroller, the one or more applications, and the access point are communicatively coupled through a wireless communications network. The receptacle holds pet food consumables. A chute receives dispensed consumables as they pass through an opening in the receptacle. A sensor monitors a level of the consumables in the receptacle, wherein the sensor is communicatively coupled with the microcontroller and transmits information of the monitored level to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller uses the information to determine whether the level of the consumables is below a threshold level. The microcontroller initiates communication with a remote vendor through the wireless communications network when the level falls below the threshold level.

Abstract: A collar unit device is described comprising a receiving cavity for receiving a metal electrode probe, wherein at least one elastomeric ring encircles the metal electrode probe, wherein the at least one elastomeric ring mechanically isolates the metal electrode probe from the receiving cavity. The device includes a piezoelectric element. The device includes a grommet component for maintaining the piezoelectric element in a secured position, wherein the secured position comprises the piezoelectric element maintaining contact with the metal electrode probe.

Abstract: A system is described herein that comprises a collar device including a sound masking component, the collar device including one or more collar device sensors for detecting physiological data of an animal. The system includes one or more environmental sensors configured to detect environmental data of the animal's environment and to transmit the environmental data to the collar device. The collar device comprises one or more applications running on at least one processor for detecting an occurrence of one or more events using at least one of the physiological data, the environmental data, and outcome data. The one or more applications are configured to use information of the one or more events to select a sound masking signal for delivery after the occurrence of the one or more events The system includes a sound masking component for delivering the sound masking signal.

Abstract: An animal feeding system is provided. The feeding system includes a container that holds dry pet food, and a receptacle that gravitationally receives the pet food. The system also provides a conveyor system. The conveyor system moves the dry pet food from the receptacle to a feeding bowl. Additionally, the animal feeding system includes a processor. The processor is configured to deliver start and stop signals to a motor in response to signals sent from a user control unit. The animal feeding system additionally comprises the user control unit. The control unit offers a user interface for programming the system according to a desired feeding schedule. A method for feeding an animal using the feeding system is also provided herein.

Abstract: A ball launching apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a funnel residing at an upper end of a housing. The funnel includes a channel for gravitationally directing a ball into a launch point within an interior compartment of the housing. The apparatus includes a hammer that strikes a ball through a chute, thereby releasing the ball from the housing. Both the distance at which the ball travels and the angle at which the ball leaves the chute may be adjusted by the operator. A method of exercising a dog is also provided herein.

Abstract: A pet door is provided having a frame unit and a pivotal flap. The pet door includes a sill which is magnetically biased to attach to the lower end of the flap unit so as to maintain the flap unit in its closed position and to resist pressure differential forces applied to the flap unit, but to provide a lower degree of resistance at one or both of lower corners of the flap unit. The sill includes a first latch member extending from the sill which cooperates with a second latch member coupled to the bottom of the flap unit. At least one of the latch members may be frusto-conical in shape.

Abstract: A method described herein includes describing a load current with a discrete time function. The method includes using a first frequency and a second frequency to provide an approximation of the described load current, wherein a transform applied to the discrete time function identifies the first frequency and the second frequency. The method includes estimating a loop inductance and a loop resistance of a wire loop by exciting a transmit circuit with a voltage reference step waveform, wherein the transmit circuit includes the wire loop. The method includes scaling the approximated load current to a level sufficient to generate a minimum receive voltage signal in a receiver at a first distance between the wire loop and the receiver. The method includes generating a first voltage signal using the scaled load current, estimated loop inductance, and estimated loop resistance. The method includes exciting the transmit circuit with the first voltage signal.

Abstract: A method is described herein that comprises selecting a training objective, wherein the training objective comprises an objective to teach an animal to perform a behavior in an environment. The method includes testing the animal to determine a profile. The method includes identifying an optimal training product for the animal based on the profile. The method includes identifying an optimal training protocol for the animal based on the profile. The method includes simulating an experience of teaching the animal the behavior in a virtual training environment using the optimal training product and the optimal training protocol, the simulating including one or more applications running on a computing device for providing a virtual training environment, wherein the virtual training environment mimics the environment.

Abstract: A wireless animal location system is provided that identifies a location of a pet roaming within an environment using a single base unit. The wireless animal location system tracks and manages animal behavior in the environment using information of pet location.