Patents by Inventor Richard D. Mellinger

Richard D. Mellinger 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).

  • Patent number: 6700492
    Abstract: An electronic containment system using positional satellites is provided for controlling the movement of animals relative to a selected confinement area. A portable programming transceiver is used to program the boundary of a selected confinement area as the device is moved along such boundary. A programmable collar transceiver worn by the animal provides GPS signals from the satellite to a remotely located control station. The control station tracks the movement of the animal relative to the boundary. If the animal crosses the boundary, the station transmits a stimulus activation signal to the collar so that a corrective stimulus may be produced for the animal. Tracking and containment of objects are accomplished by providing GPS-defined, user-programmable containment areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Invisible Fence, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Touchton, Richard D. Mellinger, Donald L. Peinetti
  • Publication number: 20020017995
    Abstract: An electronic containment system using positional satellites is provided for controlling the movement of animals relative to a selected confinement area. A portable programming transceiver is used to program the boundary of a selected confinement area as the device is moved along such boundary. A programmable collar transceiver worn by the animal provides GPS signals from the satellite to a remotely located control station. The control station tracks the movement of the animal relative to the boundary. If the animal crosses the boundary, the station transmits a stimulus activation signal to the collar so that a corrective stimulus may be produced for the animal. Tracking and containment of objects are accomplished by providing GPS-defined, user-programmable containment areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Scott F. Touchton, Richard D. Mellinger, Donald L. Peinetti
  • Patent number: 6271757
    Abstract: An electronic containment system using positional satellites is provided for controlling the movement of animals relative to a selected confinement area. A portable programming transceiver is used to program the boundary of a selected confinement area as the device is moved along such boundary. A programmable collar transceiver worn by the animal provides GPS signals from the satellite to a remotely located control station. The control station tracks the movement of the animal relative to the boundary. If the animal crosses the boundary, the station transmits a stimulus activation signal to the collar so that a corrective stimulus may be produced for the animal. Tracking and containment of objects are accomplished by providing GPS-defined, user-programmable containment areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Invisible Fence, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Touchton, Richard D. Mellinger, Donald L. Peinetti
  • Patent number: 6043748
    Abstract: A programmable boundary pet containment system is provided for controlling the access of animals to areas outside of programmed boundaries. A programmable relay collar is provided on an animal to transmit positional data as detected from positional satellites to a remotely located processing station. The processing station calculates the relayed data to determine the position of the animal relative to a configuration data file establishing confinement area boundaries. Animals that are detected as venturing beyond the programmed boundaries are subject to a correction stimulus, such as a mild shock or audible signal, delivered to the animal by the relay collar as enabled by the remotely located processing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Invisible Fence Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Touchton, Richard D. Mellinger, Donald L. Peinetti