Abstract: There is described a system for controlling the movement of an animal relative to a controlled area delineated by a wire loop antenna. The controlled area may be inclusive or exclusionary. A frequency modulated signal is transmitted by the FM transmitter connected to the loop. An FM receiver attached to the animal detects the transmitted signal and provides an alarm signal to the animal. The loop antenna is untuned. Low radio frequencies are used and the carrier frequency deviation is large to reduce the systems susceptability to noise. The modulating frequency is limited, also to reduce susceptibility to noise. Integrated circuits are especially designed to permit operation with very low power.

Abstract: An animal confinement arrangement including a home base for transmitting a modulated signal and a receiver for receiving the modulated signal. The received modulated signal is demodulated using a demodulator. The demodulated signal is compared to a reference signal to produce a comparator signal indicating if the received modulated signal was transmitted by the home base. Also provided is variable sensitivity deterrent circuitry which is responsive to a strength level of the received modulated signal and to the comparator signal for producing a variable deterrent signal which is applied to an animal if the comparator signal indicates that the received modulated signal was transmitted by the home base. Communication circuitry and an antenna design allow the user to communicate with the animal. A low battery strength indicator for the battery in the receiver is also provided.

Abstract: A combination animal confinement and remote training system is disclosed. The system is selectable between a confinement mode that encourages an animal to remain within a predefined boundary area, a remote training mode that encourages the animal to engage in desirable activity or cease undesirable activity, and a combined remote training and confinement mode.

Abstract: An animal training apparatus including a nose-supported housing, receiver, control circuit, and electrodes. The receiver cooperates with the carrrier signal from a transmitter, activating a control circuit. The control circuit engages an indicator level module or control level module to activate animal control output in the form of electrical stimulus within and across the nasal septum. When an animal enters an area where the received carrier signal creates a d.c. output less than a threshold reference level, the control circuit is activated. An outfitted animal is trained to develop a behavioral condition in response to an indicator level output followed by a stronger control level output. A particular embodiment is the combination with a solar cell attached to the housing to maintain a charged state in a battery that powers the receiver and control circuit.

Abstract: A portable programming apparatus is employed for a programmable animal control device carried by an animal having a receiver for receiving a radio signal, a transducer for applying a stimulus to the animal in response to the radio signal, and a programmable controller responsive to selected control parameters for controlling operation of the animal control device. The programming apparatus includes a connector probe for insertion into a battery compartment of the animal control device. The connector probe includes probe terminals for mating with the battery terminals of the animal control device. The programming apparatus includes a controller for establishing communication with the animal control device via the probe terminals and for transferring the control parameter between the programming apparatus and the animal control device.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for confining the movement of an animal to a defined area. The device includes a transmitter that generates a coded radio signal through an antenna defining the area. The transmitter can modify the coded radio signal including modifying the code of the coded radio signal to modify a stimulus provided to the animal. The apparatus also has a portable radio receiver for decoding the coded radio signal for the stimulus provided to the animal. The delivery of stimulus can be arrested upon detection of a signal other than the coded signal. The portable radio receiver is attached to the animal and is positioned for delivering the stimulus to the animal.

Abstract: A system (10) for confining an animal (18) in an area (16) defined by a boundary signal. The system includes a transmitter (22; 22A) to generate the boundary signal and an emitter such as a wire (20) to define area (16). The system also includes a receiver (26; 26A; 200; 200A) to be carried on the animal's neck. The receiver includes three selectively monitored and orthogonally-positional antennas (30, 32, 34; 202, 204, 206) to avoid missing a boundary signal. The receiver further includes code-detecting, duration monitoring and/or signal-strength circuitry (270) to control giving a shock to the animal. Further, the receiver is duty-cycled to conserve battery power (56). The shock is communicated via a conductive compliant tip (532) to reduce discomfort to the animal. The transmitter includes circuitry (64) to include a code in the boundary signal, and an isolation transformer (102) to protect the transmitter from energy strikes, such as lightning, at the emitter (20).

Abstract: A system for controlling an animal includes a radio signal receiver unit which is attached to the animal. The receiver includes an antenna assembly, a resonant filter, an amplifier, and a transducer for applying a motivational stimulus to the animal. A microcontroller selectively activates the components of the receiver according to a control sequence. The microcontroller performs a multi-stage authentication procedure in order to determine the presence of characteristic properties of the received signal prior to operating the transducer. The transducer includes a speaker circuit for applying audible stimulation, and a transformer circuit for applying electrical stimulation. The type of stimulation and the duration of stimulation may be selected according to control parameters used in conjunction with the control sequence. The control parameters can be initially selected and/or downloaded to the microcontroller from an external programming device.

Abstract: A system for controlling an animal includes a radio signal receiver unit which is attached to the animal. The receiver includes an antenna assembly, a resonant filter, an amplifier, and a transducer for applying a motivational stimulus to the animal. A microcontroller selectively activates the components of the receiver according to a control sequence. The microcontroller performs a multi-stage authentication procedure in order to determine the presence of characteristic properties of the received signal prior to operating the transducer. The transducer includes a speaker circuit for applying audible stimulation, and a transformer circuit for applying electrical stimulation. The type of stimulation and the duration of stimulation may be selected according to control parameters used in conjunction with the control sequence.

Abstract: A pet containment system uses a transmitter for transmitting a series of electromagnetic signals, and a receiver removably attached to the pet for receiving the series of electromagnetic signals from the transmitter. The transmitter includes means for modulating the electromagnetic signals, means for transmitting the resulting non-random patterns of electromagnetic energy, and at least one transmitting antenna. The receiver includes at least one receiving antenna, means for comparing the signal level of the received electromagnetic signals from said transmitter with a predetermined level and for producing an electronic indication of a loss of signal, means for comparing the phase of the received electromagnetic signals from said transmitter with a reference phase and for producing an electronic indication of a loss of phase, means for producing a warning stimulus to the pet, and means for producing a control stimulus to the pet.

Abstract: An apparatus for confining the movement of an animal to a defined area includes a transmitter that generates a continuous, coded radio signal through an antenna defining the area. The transmitter can variably modify the amplitude of the continuous, coded radio signal and variably modify the code of the continuous, coded radio signal, thereby modifying the type and rate of a stimulus provided to the animal. The apparatus also has a portable radio receiver for detecting the amplitude of the continuous, coded radio signal and for decoding the continuous, coded radio signal for the rate and type of stimulus provided to the animal. The portable radio receiver is attached to the animal and is positioned for delivering the stimulus to the animal in response only to the detected continuous, coded radio signal.

Abstract: An animal confinement system comprising an emitter for transmitting coded near infrared energy, a receiver carried by an animal to be contained for receiving the transmitted coded near infrared energy, including an infrared receiving diode and, a comparator for conditioning the output of the infrared receiving diode. A predetermined threshold is established for the comparator which will cause the output of the comparator to go low when the output of the infrared receiving diode is received.

Abstract: An animal confinement system is disclosed where a boundary is defined by converting energy radiated from a point source into a curtain. A code is transmitted within this curtain so that a receiver carried by an animal can receive the code and issue a suitable instruction to the animal.

Abstract: An animal training apparatus including a nose-supported housing, receiver and stimulus means. The housing is in the form of a noseclip containing a receiver responsive to a signal and activating electrical stimulus across and within the nasal septum. An outfitted animal is trained to develop a conditioned behavior in response to operation of the apparatus.The housing consists of a barrel, bows, ends and pads. The interconnection is such that the pads may be rigidly affixed or pivotable with the ends. A single or plurality of transmitter define a pretermined area in which the apparatus are carried by animals, typically cattle, in which the user desires to control.

Abstract: The whereabouts of a pet or other animal are controlled using one or more transponders to established a boundary. The transponders receive an incident signal from a transmitter and generate a distinguishable return signal which, when the animal moves into proximity of the boundary, is received by a unit affixed to the animal to initiate application of an aversive stimulus which deters the animal from traversing the boundary. The transponders can be active or passive and can be located to establish either fixed or mobile boundaries.