Abstract: A system for monitoring and distinguishing occurrences along a perimeter bounded by at least one piezoelectric cable that completely defines the perimeter. The monitoring system utilizes at least one piezoelectric cable that generates electrical signals in response to mechanical stress events. The electrical signals from each piezoelectric cable are analyzed by a processing system to determine event classification and location. The monitoring system alerts users and connects to an existing security system to notify third-parties. The monitoring system includes functionality to communicate with a calibration unit and calibrate itself. The monitoring system also includes functionality to interface with a pet containment system.

Abstract: A system and apparatus to track and control an animal, including a tracking unit to track the animal, and a stimulus unit to provide a stimulus to the animal, wherein the tracking unit and stimulus unit are configured to be removably coupled together, and the tracking unit and/or stimulus unit communicate with a common control device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring and indicating a true direction of a tracked object. The invention also relates to an apparatus and a tracking system utilizing the method. The invention also relates to a direction determination circuitry and to a computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable code, which is utilized in the direction determination circuitry. In the method a radio-bearing device shows all the time on a display true directions wherefrom a radio-bearing have been taken. The direction of the maximum signal strength measurement is highlighted on the display.

Abstract: A gesture-based animal trainer is provided. The gesture-based animal trainer is configured to be used by a person that provides gesture commands to an animal. As used herein, the term “gesture commands” refers to gestures that are each associated with a respective animal training command, wherein a gesture is defined as a selected group of movements performed by a person. The gesture-based animal trainer detects whether the person performs a gesture command and provides a stimulus to the animal in accordance with the gesture command. Upon the animal associating the respective stimulus with the gesture command, the gesture-based animal trainer allows the animal to receive the gesture command regardless of whether the person is within the animal's line of sight.

Abstract: A method, and an apparatus to perform the method, of tracking a mobile subject based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data, the method including detecting motion of the mobile subject independently of the GNSS data with a motion detector, receiving the GNSS data and determining an actionable position and speed of the mobile subject, with an actionable position and speed unit, according to GNSS position and speed, detection results of the motion detector, and at least one of, or any combination of, GNSS solution metrics, GNSS signal metrics, or a prior actionable position and speed, and evaluating, with a boundary test unit, the actionable position and speed of the mobile subject relative to a predetermined boundary.

Abstract: Described is an animal data communication system for detecting particular conditions and actions of an animal, compiling information indicative of the detected conditions and actions, communicating the information to a remote location, and presenting the information at the remote location. The animal data communication system includes a carried device and an interfacing device. The carried device detects particular conditions and actions of the animal and compiles the corresponding information. The carried device is in communication with the interfacing device and transmits the information to the interfacing device. The interfacing device communicates the information to a network. The user of the animal data communication system accesses the network by way of a display device, which is in communication with the network, and perceives the information. The display device is disposed at a location remote to the animal such that the user can perceive the information at the remote location.

Abstract: Described is an animal door for enabling an animal to pass through a structure and for having an adjustable height. More specifically, the animal door is capable of being installed at the structure at multiple orientations, whereby the orientation at which the animal door is installed governs the height of the door. Additionally, the animal door is removably installed at the structure such that the orientation, and thus the height, of the door is adjustable.

Abstract: Described is an animal containment/repellant system for, among other things, containing an animal within a containment area and simultaneously repelling the animal from a restricted area. More specifically, the animal containment/repellant system includes multiple signal transmitting antennas that simultaneously define multiple cooperating containment areas, restricted areas, or combination of containment and restricted areas.

Abstract: Described is a gravity-induced automatic animal watering/feeding device that promotes increased sanitation and minimizes the amount of water/food spilled from the device in the event the device is overturned. More specifically, the animal watering/feeding device presents consumables, including water and animal food, to the animal using a receptacle that is removable from the remainder of the device. Because the receptacle is removable, it is easily replaced and/or removed for cleaning such that sanitation of the animal watering/feeding device is easily maintained. Additionally, selected components of the animal water/feeding device are releasably locked to one another such that the device minimizes the amount of water/food that is spilled from the device in the event it is overturned.

Abstract: A bark control device for deterring a dog from barking. The bark control device includes a vibration dampening material forming or covering at least a portion of the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material reduces the transfer of vibrations through the bark control device housing by reducing the vibrations to levels undetectable by a bark sensor, by preventing the production of vibrations having characteristics sufficiently similar to a bark, and/or by inhibiting the propagation of such vibrations through the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material of the housing reduces the occurrence of corrections to the dog due to vibrations emanating from a source other than a bark by the dog.

Abstract: A system for controlling pets utilizes a low power transmitter to create avoidance zones in which one pet wearing an animal control receiver can enter but in which a second pet is deterred from entering.

Abstract: A pet toy includes an internal skeletal member having an inner surface and an outer surface. The internal skeletal member is configured to deform upon compression such that opposing sides of the internal surface come into contact with each other. An outer covering surrounds the skeletal member. A sound-emitting squeaker device is located within an internal space of the internal skeletal member. The sound-emitting squeaker device remains free to move throughout the internal space of the internal skeletal member.

Abstract: A pet accessory pendant is provided. The pet accessory pendant houses components for a pet accessory, such as a bark control device, a containment fence receiver, a remote trainer, a pet locator, and the like. The pet accessory pendant is mountable to animal collars of various sizes, lengths, widths, and thicknesses. Specifically, the pet accessory pendant is attachable to an animal collar such that the pet accessory pendant comfortably hangs in a pendant fashion and minimizes pressure points on the animal. Additionally, the pet accessory pendant is readily attachable to and detachable from the collar without removing the animal collar from the animal, thereby reducing the need to adjust the fitment of the pet accessory pendant for each use. Thus, the pet accessory pendant allows a single animal collar to be easily converted between a general-purpose animal collar and an animal collar with attached pet accessory.

Abstract: A heated pet pad having a substantially oval shape and including a heating element to produce heat within the pet pad, a reflective layer mounted adjacent to the heating element to reflect heat toward the animal, and a support layer to contain the heating element and the reflective layer within the pet pad, the support layer including a plurality of support members extending from a first surface thereof to simulate a mattress spring, and a plurality of feet members extending from an opposite surface of the support layer to raise the pet pad off the external ground surface to inhibit heat loss.

Abstract: Described is a system for locating a partial break in a wire loop antenna. More specifically, the system generates two test signals, each test signal having a signal pattern distinguishable from the other. The system transmits the test signals by way of the antenna such that each test signal radiates from the antenna. The system receives the radiating test signals and generates a signal indicator for each test signal, each signal indicator reflecting properties of its respective test signal. Each signal indicator is analyzed with respect to the other to determine the location of the partial break. Because the test signals have distinguishable signal patterns, the analysis of the signal indicators is simplified and, in certain circumstances, made possible.

Abstract: Disclosed is a watering device for animals and a method of producing the same, including a base unit defining a bowl portion, a housing portion disposed in the base unit and including an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with the bowl portion, a dispensing unit proximate the outlet port to dispense water from the housing portion to the bowl portion via the outlet port such that water flows around the bowl portion to the housing portion via the inlet port, and a filtering unit interposed between the outlet port and the inlet port to filter the water flowing from the bowl portion to the housing portion via the inlet port.

Abstract: A submersible, universal water fountain system for an animal watering vessel. The system includes a port for discharging water into the vessel, a housing which has an inlet through which water is drawn from the vessel, and a pump for drawing water through the inlet and forcing the water from the housing through the port back into the vessel. The port discharges water in a pattern to diminish overspray outside the vessel and create a stream-like flow path of water movement in the vessel to enhance the water drinking experience of an animal.

Abstract: Systems and methods of tracking an animal including a first device worn by an animal to acquire global positioning system (GPS) data corresponding to a location of the animal, and a second device carried by a user to receive the GPS data from the first device and to acquire GPS data corresponding to a location of the second device. The second device can include a compass element to provide a compass reading corresponding to an orientation of the second device, and a controller to calculate location and direction information of the first device relative to the second device, and a display unit to display a graphical representation indicating the location and direction of the first device relative to the second device.

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.