Abstract: A remotely activated pet beacon for facilitating the rescue of pets in distress is disclosed. The pet beacon provides a control circuit for controlling the pet beacon's response to events, a communication system for facilitating remote activation of the pet beacon and for interactive, remote communication with a selected entity, a distress indicator for signaling that a pet is in need of assistance, and an actuator for initiating communication with a selected entity using the communication system built into the pet beacon.

Abstract: A flexible electrode assembly for use with an electronic animal training device. The flexible electrode assembly provides pressure relief in the event that the collar is over-tightened. Pressure relief is obtained through the use of resilient materials or mechanical pre-loads that allow movement in response to applied pressure. Because the position of the electrodes in the flexible electrode assembly is not fixed, pet owners are generally more likely to properly tighten the collar thereby allowing the animal training device to function effectively.

Abstract: A pet collar which incorporates into a collar strap a buckle with its usual length adjustability features, and a quick release incorporated into the collar strap in intimate and operative association with the buckle. Once the length of the collar strap is initially adjusted, using the buckle, to the neck size of the pet for which the collar is intended, subsequent removal and reapplication of the collar to the pet is effected by means of the quick release aspect of the invention without disturbing the length adjustment established by the buckle.

Abstract: A pet door hinge adapted to accommodate potentially damaging forces. The hinge mechanism includes a shaft that is received by a shock-absorbing bearing. The bearing is received by a sleeve. The bearing rotates within the sleeve to allow pivoting of the flap. In the event of potentially damaging forces, a resilient and deformable material forming the core of the bearing gives to prevent damage to or destruction of the hinge mechanism or the pet door.

Abstract: An apparatus for an animal training device including audible and electrical stimulation. A transmitting unit provides control signals to a receiving unit, which includes a receiver, a processor, and a switch connected to a transformer and electrodes. The processor provides signals that result in varying voltages that produce electrical pulses of varying voltage levels, which are applied at the electrodes and provide electrical stimulation of an animal for training.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed that allows for the designation of over 1,000,000 individual users in a communication system, such as an EDACS system, using the existing five-digit portion of command message utilized for specifying the destination address. This is accomplished by using an Extended Addressing Digital Interface (EADI) protocol using hexadecimal characters in the command message rather than decimal characters, thereby creating an “extended addressing” (EA) capability. The largest five-digit hexadecimal number, FFFFF, corresponds to the decimal number 1,048,575, thereby realizing the ability to exceed one million users, without having to change the size (number of digits) in the command message. Backward compatibility is assured by adding new mode commands that identify a particular command message as being generated by EA compatible equipment.

Abstract: Described is a locator device for indicating the relative location of a dog in a sporting field and for indicating whether the dog is tracking or on point regardless of the orientation of the device. The locator device calculates whether a dog is tracking or on point by measuring the intensity of the movement of the dog with a vibration switch and then interpreting the intensity of movement. The vibration switch includes two electrical contacts that are disposed substantially on the longitudinal axis of the vibration switch.

Abstract: A radio frequency communication system utilizing a radiating transmission line for communicating data signals is disclosed. The data signals convey digital data to remotely located data devices, including computers, equipment control systems and digital video cameras. The data signals have a wide bandwidth of about 0.5 MHz to 32 MHz. In this way, the communication system creates a local area network by means of the radiating communication line. The communication system is intended to be used in environments where radio waves do not propagate well, such as in underground environments, and in particular mines. The communication system comprises at least one amplifier connected to the radiating transmission line for periodically amplifying the data signals by demodulating the data signals to recover the data contained therein and then modulating the recovered data into a regenerated radio frequency at a power level permitting transmission and radiation of the regenerated radio frequency data signal.

Abstract: Described is a pet-repellent device for correcting undesirable pet behaviors that are associated with a particular location by restraining a pet from approaching a predefined location of restriction, which corresponds to the particular location of issue. The location of restriction, for practical purposes, is defined by a mat. A receiver that is carried by a pet administers a deterrent to the pet when the pet approaches the mat. Because the predefined location of restriction is defined by a portable mat, the predefined location of restriction is easily relocated in accordance with changing undesired pet behaviors that are associated with a particular location.

Abstract: An apparatus for an animal training device including audible and electrical stimulation. A transmitting unit provides control signals to a receiving unit, which includes a receiver, a processor, and a switch connected to a transformer and electrodes. The processor provides signals of that vary the current that produces electrical pulses of varying voltage levels, which are applied at the electrodes and provide electrical stimulation of an animal for training.

Abstract: A portable animal tracking system. The portable animal tracking system provides two-way communication between a first unit carried by an operator and a second unit carried by an animal. The first unit allows an operator to issue warnings or corrections to an animal and to locate an animal. The second unit delivers warnings and corrections to the animal by the second unit and responds to location requests from the first unit. Location is accomplished through an angular-bearing analysis.

Abstract: A pet door gasket assembly adapted to provide a strong thermal, chemical, and mechanical bond between the gasket and the pet door flap. The gasket assembly incorporates a flexible, resilient, and permanently lubricated polymeric material chemically and thermally bonded to a rigid pet door flap. Further, the gasket is molded around series of pins extending from the faces of the rigid flap to provide a mechanical bond with the pet door flap.

Abstract: A pet door hinge adapted to accommodate potentially damaging forces. The hinge mechanism includes a shaft that is received by a shock-absorbing bearing. The bearing is received by a sleeve. The bearing rotates within the sleeve to allow pivoting of the flap. In the event of potentially damaging forces, a resilient and deformable material forming the core of the bearing gives to prevent damage to or destruction of the hinge mechanism or the pet door.

Abstract: An apparatus for a self-cleaning litter box having a control system for a mechanical self-cleaning mechanism. The litter box has a turret carrying a rake. The box includes an animal sensor that detects the presence of an animal in the box. A specified time after the animal leaves the box, the turret sweeps the rake through the litter, picks up the collected waste, and carries it to a waste bin, where the waste is dumped. The litter box is controlled by a processor executing a software program that monitors the instruments and sensors and controls the turret and rake motors. The software, in various embodiments, controls the rake motor and turret motor to execute a scoop sequence, a startup sequence, and a go home sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus for a self-cleaning litter box having a control system for a mechanical self-cleaning mechanism. The litter box has a turret carrying a rake. Limit switches indicate the location of the rake and the turret. The box includes an animal sensor that detects the presence of an animal in the box. A specified time after the animal leaves the box, the turret sweeps the rake through the litter, picks up the collected waste, and carries it to a waste bin, where the waste is dumped. The litter box is controlled by a processor executing a software program that monitors the instruments and sensors and controls the turret and rake motors.

Abstract: A housing (10) for a pet accessory, and an associated collar mounting system for mounting the housing (10) on a pet collar (12). The housing (10) includes a casing (14) for housing at least certain components of the pet accessory. Further, the housing (10) defines at least first and second selectively spaced channels (22, 24) for receiving the pet collar (12) and releasably securing the housing (10) on the pet collar (12). The housing (10) also includes at least one protrusion (26) disposed between the selectively spaced channels (22, 24) and which extends outwardly from the casing (14) for engagement with the pet collar (12) to inhibit movement of the housing (10) along the length of the collar (12).