Patents Assigned to Radio Systems
  • Self-cleaning Litter Box
    Publication number: 20140069343
    Abstract: A self-cleaning litter box. The self-cleaning litter box includes a rake drive housing that is securable to and removable from a litter tray. The rake drive housing contains the rake drive control system. The rake drive control system automatically cleans the litter tray after each use and/or on a periodic basis by combing the litter with a sweeping rake. The sweeping rake is paired with a spade that loosens waste products that is stuck to the litter tray. At the disposal end of the self-cleaning litter box, a disposal rake cooperatively rotates with the sweeping rake to transfer waste products into a waste receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: RADIO SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Myra Loveday, Xiao JiangLin, Shang Lianhui, Yu Ziqian
  • Dispensing Device for Animal Consumables and Methods of Using the Same
    Publication number: 20140048017
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing an edible consumable substance to an animal, and methods of training an animal, including the provision of a housing with an edible substance therein, a dispensing member provided at one end of the housing, the dispensing member having at least one aperture through which the edible substance is dispensed, a pushing member provided inside the housing to push the edible substance in a direction of the dispensing member, and a control interface to control the movement of the pushing member such that a user can control an amount of the edible substance that is provided to the animal through the dispensing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher E. Mainini, Brad Allen
  • Remotely Activated Reward Dispenser
    Publication number: 20140033990
    Abstract: A remotely activated reward dispenser. The remote dispenser delivers consumable rewards in response to a trigger signal from a remote triggering device. The reward dispenser uses a two stage delivery system to prevent unintentional release of the consumable reward. A vibration stage moves a portion of the consumable reward from a reservoir to a staging platform without crushing the consumable reward. The second stage transfers the consumable reward from the staging platform to an area accessible by the animal. A vibration damping system reduces the noise generated by the reward dispenser. An adjustable transition varies the feed rate for the consumable reward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brown, Steven Schrick, Matthew Strong, John Rowlands
  • Housebreaking Reward System
    Publication number: 20140033989
    Abstract: A housebreaking reward system. The housebreaking reward system includes a moisture sensitive pad, a moisture detector, a reward dispenser, and an optional handheld transmitter. The moisture sensitive pad is constructed to contain and hold fluids (e.g., urine) deposited by an animal and is laid down at location where it is acceptable for an animal to eliminate. The moisture detector is selectively connectable to sensing elements on the moisture sensitive pad to detect when fluid is deposited. If fluid is detected, the moisture sensitive detector signals the reward dispenser to reward the animal for appropriate elimination. At least a portion the moisture sensitive pad is disposable to facilitate easy cleanup of the appropriate elimination area. After one or more fluid deposits, the moisture detector is disconnected from the sensing elements, and the used moisture sensitive pad is discarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Patti A. Ault, Myra Loveday, Ricky Dukes, Steven Schrick, Jeffrey Brown, Matthew Strong
  • Twitch toy
    Patent number: 8640653
    Abstract: A motorized cat toy having a suspended teaser toy at the end of a detachable stretchable string connected to a flexible swing arm biased against a waveguide within a housing having a programmable electronic control, a gearbox with meshing gears including one spur gear on the rotor of the motor to provide control of the teaser toy movement to include a twitch and other erratic movements pleasing to a cat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Alan J. Cook, Kevin Augustyniak, Gerard Fubershaw, Jeff Smith
  • Image-Based Animal Control Systems and Methods
    Publication number: 20140020635
    Abstract: Systems and methods of tracking an object within the field of view of an image sensing device. The system can include an animal control system having an image sensing system to determine a location of a pet within a field of view of the image sensing device, a controller to define a pet containment border within the field of view and to compare the location of the pet relative to the defined border, and a transmitter to transmit a stimulation signal to the pet to encourage or discourage the pet from crossing the border based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sayers, Duane Gerig, Travis Vickery
  • Device for dispensing a fluidic consumable for an animal
    Patent number: 8631765
    Abstract: Described is a fluidic consumable dispensing device for reliably and consistently dispensing uniform animal consumables. More specifically, the device dispenses animal consumables having the viscosity of a fluid such that the consumables are not broken or malformed and do not become oriented within the device such that they clog the flow of consumables from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher E. Mainini, Greg Gillis
  • Chew Item Enhancement For Animals
    Publication number: 20130340685
    Abstract: A chew item enhancement for animals, a chew item enhancement for animals, including an edible treat wrap having a separator provided to at least one side thereof, the edible treat wrap being formed of a self-adhering material such that when the treat wrap is removed from the separator and the treat wrap is applied to a chew item, the treat wrap adheres to the chew item to encourage the animal to chew the chew item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan Grepper
  • Robotic pet waste treatment or collection
    Patent number: 8601637
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid animal excrement from a surface, particularly a grassy surface. The method includes the steps of autonomously or semi-autonomously detecting the presence of the excrement on the surface, moving a collection/treatment device into position over the detected excrement, and, thereupon, subjecting the detected excrement to one or more of deodorization, disinfection, enhancement of deterioration, dispersal and/or collection of the detected excrement. The apparatus of the present invention operates without the immediate or continued intervention of a human. Preferably, the device is robotic in nature, is readily portable, and preferably includes a rechargeable power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher E. Mainini
  • Liquid treat dispensing system and method of using the same
    Patent number: 8596220
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of supplying liquid consumable substances to animals using a dispenser device, including storing a volume of viscous fluid in a storage chamber of the dispensing device, capturing a roller ball in a flanged opening at an open end of the dispensing device such that a first surface of the roller ball communicates with the storage chamber, communicating at least a portion of the stored volume to the first surface such that a quantity of the stored volume adheres to the first surface, and exposing a second surface of the roller ball to an animal's tongue such that when the animal licks the second surface, the roller ball rotates with respect to the flanged opening to deliver at least a portion of the adhered quantity to the animal as a reward for a desired exhibited behavior of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher E. Mainini
  • Collar Strap Attachment Mechanism
    Publication number: 20130305491
    Abstract: A collar strap attachment mechanism. One embodiment of collar strap attachment mechanism utilizes a rotatable clasping system with a locking mechanism. The collar strap attachment mechanism is compatible with collars of various widths and thickness. This collar strap attachment mechanism does not require the strap to be looped through any openings so removing the clasp of the strap is unnecessary. The collar strap attachment mechanism includes a rotatable clasp with a plurality of fingers configured to close around the collar strap. The user places the collar strap attachment mechanism on the strap and rotates the two parts until the strap is captured. Once closed around the collar strap, a lock prevents the collar strap attachment mechanism from rotating back to the open position unless unlocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin M. Sayers
  • Wall Entry Tunnel for a Pet Door
    Publication number: 20130305636
    Abstract: A wall entry tunnel for use with a pet door. The wall entry tunnel extends through a structural feature and forms an enclosed passageway connecting the interior and exterior frames of a pet door. The length of the wall entry tunnel adjusts to fit structural features of various thicknesses. The wall entry tunnel includes modular components that facilitate compact packaging and are readily assembled to construct the enclosed passageway with a perimeter sized to match the size of the pet door opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Ward, Marc E. Brush
  • Pet Door with Locking Flaps
    Publication number: 20130305609
    Abstract: A pet door with locking flaps, or lockable pet door. The lockable pet door includes a barrier flap surrounded by one or more locking flaps mounted in the pet door frame. The locking flaps, the barrier flap, and the pet door frame cooperate to provide selective direction control allowing ingress, egress, both, or neither. Each locking flap is independently and selectively attached to the frame of the pet door to prevent movement of the locking flap. Each locking flap defines a through opening. In use, the animal passes through the locking flap on the entry side of the pet door and the locking flap on the exit side moves with the barrier flap. When locked, each locking flap prevents the barrier flap from pivoting to that side of the pet door blocking passage in that direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Jason R. Graves
  • Lick deterrent strip
    Patent number: 8578891
    Abstract: A lick deterrent strip for deterring an animal from licking a wound is provided. The lick deterrent strip is securable to the animal or a bandage such that the lick deterrent strip is positioned over the wound or near the area of the wound. As used herein, a “wound” refers to an injured area on an animal, including, but not limited to, abscesses, cuts, hot spots, incisions, punctures, sores, and stitches. When secured to the animal, the lick deterrent strip provides an exposed surface with electrically energized contacts arranged on the exposed surface. When a conductive portion of the animal, such as the animal's mouth, is placed in electrical communication with the contacts, the lick deterrent strip provides an electrical stimulus to the animal, which deters the animal from accessing or licking the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Travis Vickery
  • Audible errors detection and prevention for speech decoding, audible errors concealing
    Patent number: 8577672
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of providing an audio output to a user in a communications system in which the audio to be output to a user, preferably an audio frame, is assessed before it is broadcast to the user, and then selectively changed on the basis of the assessment. The assessment may be carried out in the audio encoding process, in the audio decoding process and/or after the audio decoding process. The selective changing of the audio output may comprise selectively replacing the audio output and/or re-encoding of the audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Audax Radio Systems LLP
    Inventor: Graham Kinns
  • Manual litter box
    Patent number: 8567348
    Abstract: A manual litter box provides various advantages over the prior art. In particular, in one embodiment, the manual litter box is configured to use a disposable cartridge which may include a litter compartment and a waste compartment. In another embodiment, the cartridge may be non-compartmentalized. The cartridge may be disposable, thus eliminating the need for the user to clean the litter tray and handle heavy litter containers. In other embodiments, the system includes a rake assembly configured with a manual shuttle chassis drive assembly that is protected from contamination. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the manual litter box is configured to be used with all types of litter including crystal type litter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Jay Cook, Thomas Devlin, Leon Helfet, Kevin John Augustyniak
  • Method and device for desensitizing an animal to an anxiety inducing sound
    Patent number: 8505494
    Abstract: Described is a counter-conditioning device and method for desensitizing an animal to an anxiety inducing sound and for minimizing a user's required involvement in such desensitization. The device and method are for automatically conditioning an animal that exhibits anxiety in response to the occurrence of a particular sound such that the animal learns to anticipate a treat upon the occurrence of the sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Radio System Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher E. Mainini
  • System for Detecting Information Regarding an Animal and Communicating the Information to a Remote Location
    Publication number: 20130192526
    Abstract: An animal data communication system, including a rover unit to be carried by an animal, an animal accessory device to interact with the rover unit and/or animal, at least one detector to detect an occurrence of an action engaged in by the animal, and to generate a signal indicative of a detected action, a processing unit to generate animal data identifying the detected action based on the generated signal, and a communication unit disposed on at least one of the rover unit and the animal accessory device to transmit the animal data over a network in response to an occurrence of one or more particular conditions associated with the detected action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Radio Systems Corporation
  • Pet water fountain
    Patent number: D689245
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Sean Rowe, Junzhou Huang
  • Pet consumables container
    Patent number: D693688
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Russell, Kevin Zinn