Animal training system and operation method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses an animal training system and an operation method thereof. The animal training system is provided with a microphone, a processor and a response subsystem. The microphone is configured to collect sound data from an animal. The processor is configured to cause the response subsystem to execute one of M pre-specified responses based on the sound data, where M is an integer greater than 1. A first response of the M pre-specified responses includes the response subsystem providing comfort to the animal. A second response of the M pre-specified responses includes the response subsystem causing discomfort in the animal.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an animal training system and an operating method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Pet training is important for both pets and owners. First, training helps ensure the safety of pets, owners, and the public. For example, training a dog to "sit" or "stay" can prevent the dog from running into dangerous traffic. In addition, training can help pets behave appropriately (e.g., dogs don't bark too much). Therefore, there is a need for an animal training system to help train pets to promote the health of pets and their owners. [Summary of the invention]

[0003] The present invention discloses an animal training system, comprising: a microphone, a processor, and a response subsystem. The microphone is configured to collect sound data of an animal. The processor is configured to enable the response subsystem to perform one of M pre-specified responses based on the sound data, wherein M is an integer greater than 1. A first response of the M pre-specified responses includes the response subsystem providing comfort to the animal, and a second response of the M pre-specified responses includes the response subsystem causing discomfort to the animal.

[0004] In one aspect, a third response of the M pre-specified responses comprises the response subsystem providing a neutral distraction to the animal.

[0005] In one aspect, the first response comprises the response subsystem feeding the animal.

[0006] In one aspect, the first response includes the response subsystem providing a toy for the animal to play with.

[0007] In one aspect, the first response includes the response subsystem producing a sound or voice that is comforting to the animal.

[0008] In one aspect, the second response includes the response subsystem generating a sound, voice, or ultrasound that causes discomfort to the animal.

[0009] In one aspect, the second response includes the response subsystem delivering an electric shock that causes discomfort to the animal.

[0010] In one aspect, the animal training system further comprises an attachment device configured to strap the microphone to the animal such that the microphone can pick up sounds made by the animal.

[0011] In one aspect, the attachment device is a collar configured to strap the microphone to the neck of the animal.

[0012] In one aspect, the response subsystem is connected to the microphone.

[0013] In one aspect, the response subsystem is not connected to the microphone.

[0014] In one aspect, the processor is connected to the microphone.

[0015] In one aspect, the processor is not connected to the microphone.

[0016] In one aspect, the processor causes the response subsystem to execute the one of the M pre-specified responses based on the sound data by implementing a categorical artificial neural network having M pre-specified output results corresponding to the M pre-specified responses, respectively.

[0017] In one aspect, the processor implements the classification artificial neural network in the following manner: extracting a sound sample from the sound data, the sound sample being the sound intensity of a certain sound frequency at a certain point in time; feeding the sound sample to the classification artificial neural network to generate one of the M pre-specified output results; and causing the response subsystem to execute the one of the M pre-specified responses corresponding to the one of the M pre-specified output results.

[0018] In one aspect, the animal is a cat, dog, or bird.

[0019] The present invention discloses an operation method of an animal training system, which includes: using a microphone to collect sound data from an animal; and using a processor to enable a response subsystem to execute one of M pre-specified responses based on the sound data.

[0020] In one aspect, the operating method further includes recording the one of the M pre-specified responses to keep track of how often the one of the M pre-specified responses is executed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] Figure 1 An animal training system according to an embodiment is schematically illustrated.

[0022] Figure 2 A flow chart outlining the operation of an animal training system according to an embodiment is shown. [Specific implementation method]

[0023] Animal training system

[0024] Figure 1Schematically shown is an animal training system 100 according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, animal training system 100 may include microphone 110, processor 120, and response subsystem 130.

[0025] In one embodiment, microphone 110 can collect sound data (e.g., sound from the animal's mouth) from animal 190 and send the collected sound data to processor 120 for processing. In one embodiment, microphone 110 can be close to animal 190 to be able to pick up the sound made by animal 190. In one embodiment, animal 190 can be a pet, such as a cat, dog, or bird.

[0026] In one embodiment, processor 120 may process sound data collected from animal 190 (collected by microphone 110) and then cause response subsystem 130 to perform one of M pre-specified responses based on the collected sound data, where M is an integer greater than 1.

[0027] In one embodiment, the first response of the M pre-specified responses may include response subsystem 130 providing comfort to animal 190. In other words, based on the sound data collected from animal 190, processor 120 may cause response subsystem 130 to provide comfort to animal 190.

[0028] For example, the trainer commands the animal 190 (e.g., a dog) to sit down; and, in response, the dog sits down while making a sound indicating obedience (hereinafter referred to as the obedience sound). The microphone 110 collects the obedience sound from the dog and sends the obedience sound to the processor 120 for processing. Based on the obedience sound, the processor 120 enables the response subsystem 130 to provide comfort to the dog, thereby encouraging the dog's good behavior (i.e., obeying the sit command).

[0029] In one embodiment, a second response of the M pre-specified responses may include response subsystem 130 causing discomfort to animal 190. In other words, based on the sound data collected from animal 190, processor 120 may cause response subsystem 130 to cause discomfort to animal 190.

[0030] For example, the trainer commands the dog to sit down; in response, the dog runs away while making a sound indicating disobedience (hereinafter referred to as the disobedience sound). The microphone 110 collects the disobedience sound from the dog and sends the disobedience sound to the processor 120 for processing. Based on the disobedience sound, the processor 120 causes the response subsystem 130 to cause discomfort to the dog, thereby dissuading the dog from the bad behavior (i.e., disobeying the sit command).

[0031] Method of operation of animal training system

[0032] In one embodiment, the operation of animal training system 100 may be as follows. Microphone 110 may collect sound data from animal 190 and then send the collected sound data to processor 120 for processing. Then, in one embodiment, processor 120 may cause response subsystem 130 to execute one of M pre-specified responses based on the collected sound data.

[0033] Flowchart outlining the operation of the animal training system

[0034] Figure 2 Shows a summary according to an embodiment Figure 1 Flowchart 200 of the operation of the animal training system 100 .

[0035] In step 210, the operation may include using a microphone to collect sound data from the animal. For example, in the above embodiment, reference Figure 1 , microphone 110 collects sound data from animal 190.

[0036] In step 220, the operation may include the processor causing the response subsystem to execute one of M pre-specified responses based on the sound data. Figure 1 , processor 120 causes response subsystem 130 to execute one of M pre-specified responses based on the sound data.

[0037] Other embodiments

[0038] Third Response—Neutral Interference

[0039] In one embodiment, reference Figure 1 , a third response of the M pre-specified responses may include response subsystem 130 providing a neutral disturbance to animal 190. In other words, based on the sound data collected from animal 190, processor 120 may cause response subsystem 130 to provide a neutral disturbance to animal 190.

[0040] In one embodiment, the neutral disturbance may be neither a comfort nor a discomfort to the animal 190. For example, a neutral disturbance may be something that the animal 190 is not concerned about.

[0041] For example, the trainer commands the dog to sit down; in response, the dog just stands and makes a sound that does not indicate obedience or disobedience (hereinafter referred to as a neutral sound). The microphone 110 collects the neutral sound from the dog and sends the neutral sound to the processor 120 for processing. Based on the neutral sound, the processor 120 enables the response subsystem 130 to provide a neutral interference to the dog.

[0042] In one embodiment, a neutral disturbance may be no action at all by the response subsystem 130. In other words, the third response may be that the response subsystem 130 does nothing to the animal 190.

[0043] First Response - Feeding

[0044] In one embodiment, reference Figure 1 , the first response may include the response subsystem 130 feeding the animal 190. In other words, based on the obedience sounds collected from the animal 190, the processor 120 may cause the response subsystem 130 to feed the animal 190.

[0045] First Response - Providing Toys

[0046] In one embodiment, the first response may include the response subsystem 130 providing a toy for the animal 190 to play with. In other words, based on the obedience sounds collected from the animal 190, the processor 120 may cause the response subsystem 130 to provide the animal 190 with a toy for it to play with.

[0047] First response - producing sound or speech

[0048] In one embodiment, the first response may include the response subsystem 130 generating sounds or voices that comfort the animal 190. In other words, based on the obedience sounds collected from the animal 190, the processor 120 may cause the response subsystem 130 to generate sounds or voices that comfort the animal 190.

[0049] Encouragement actions for first responders are not exclusive

[0050] In one embodiment, the three encouraging actions for the first response, namely (A) feeding the animal 190, (B) providing a toy for the animal 190 to play with, and (C) generating a sound or voice that makes the animal 190 feel comfortable, may be non-exclusive. Therefore, the first response may include all of the three encouraging actions (A), (B), and (C). For example, based on the obedience sound from the dog, the processor 120 may cause the response subsystem 130 to perform all of the three encouraging actions (A), (B), and (C). Generally speaking, the first response may include one or more of the three encouraging actions (A), (B), and (C).

[0051] Second Response - Produce Sound or Speech

[0052] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 1, the second response may include the response subsystem 130 generating a sound, voice, or ultrasonic wave that makes the animal 190 feel uncomfortable. In other words, based on the disobedient sound collected from the animal 190, the processor 120 may cause the response subsystem 130 to generate a sound, voice, or ultrasonic wave that makes the animal 190 feel uncomfortable.

[0053] Second Response - Electric Shock

[0054] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 1 , the second response may include the response subsystem 130 releasing an electric shock that causes discomfort to the animal 190. In other words, based on the disobedience sounds collected from the animal 190, the processor 120 may cause the response subsystem 130 to release an electric shock that causes discomfort to the animal 190.

[0055] Dissuasive actions for second response are not exclusive

[0056] In one embodiment, the two dissuasion actions used for the second response, namely (1) generating a sound, voice, or ultrasound that causes discomfort to the animal 190, and (2) releasing an electric shock that causes discomfort to the animal 190, may be non-exclusive. Therefore, the second response may include the two dissuasion actions (1) and (2) at the same time. For example, based on the disobedient sound from the dog, the processor 120 may cause the response subsystem 130 to perform the two dissuasion actions (1) and (2) at the same time. In general, the second response may include one or more of the two dissuasion actions (1) and (2).

[0057] Attachment device

[0058] In one embodiment, reference Figure 1 , the animal training system 100 may include a collar 150 configured to attach the microphone 110 to the neck of the animal 190. For example, the microphone 110 may be located on a printed circuit board (PCB) 140, and the collar 150 may be connected to the printed circuit board 140 (eg, Figure 1 Thus, the collar 150 can tie the microphone 110 around the neck of the animal 190.

[0059] Generally speaking, animal training system 100 may include an attachment device (not shown) configured to strap microphone 110 to animal 190 such that microphone 110 can pick up sounds made by animal 190 .

[0060] Processor connected or not connected to microphone

[0061] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 1 , the processor 120 may be connected to the microphone 110. For example, the microphone 110 and the processor 120 may be located on a printed circuit board 140 (eg, Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the processor 120 is connected to the microphone 110 via the printed circuit board 140. Alternatively, the processor 120 may not be connected to the microphone 110.

[0062] Responding to subsystem connected or not connected to microphone

[0063] In one embodiment, reference Figure 1 , the response subsystem 130 can be connected to the microphone 110. For example, the microphone 110 and the response subsystem 130 can be located on a printed circuit board 140 (eg, Figure 1 ). Therefore, the response subsystem 130 is connected to the microphone 110 via the printed circuit board 140. Alternatively, the response subsystem 130 may not be connected to the microphone 110.

[0064] Artificial Neural Networks

[0065] In one embodiment, reference Figure 1 The processor 120 may enable the response subsystem 130 to perform one of the M pre-specified responses based on the sound data collected from the animal 190 by implementing a categorized artificial neural network having M pre-specified output results corresponding to the M pre-specified responses, respectively.

[0066] For example, assume that M=2, and the first of the two pre-specified responses is that the response subsystem 130 feeds the animal 190, and the second of the two pre-specified responses is that the response subsystem 130 releases an electric shock that causes discomfort to the animal 190. Therefore, a classification artificial neural network can be created, and the two output results 0 and 1 correspond to the first response and the second response specified above, respectively.

[0067] Next, in one embodiment, during the training phase, the classification artificial neural network can be trained using sound samples emitted by animals of the same species as the animal 190 (for example, if the animal 190 is a dog, the classification artificial neural network can be trained using sound samples emitted by the dog).

[0068] In one embodiment, after the classification artificial neural network is trained, in the prediction phase, the sound samples from the sound data collected by the microphone 110 from the animal 190 can be fed to the trained classification artificial neural network to generate an output result of 0 or 1. If the output result is 0, the processor 120 causes the response subsystem 130 to perform the first response (i.e., feeding the animal 190). However, if the output result is 1, the processor 120 causes the response subsystem 130 to perform the second response (i.e., releasing an electric shock that makes the animal 190 feel uncomfortable).

[0069] In one embodiment, each sound sample used in the training phase or the prediction phase may be the sound intensity of a certain sound frequency at a certain time point. Alternatively, each sound sample used in the training phase or the prediction phase may include multiple sound intensities of certain frequencies at certain time points.

[0070] Record keeping

[0071] In one embodiment, reference Figure 1 , the animal training system 100 may record the frequency with which the response subsystem 130 performs each of the M pre-specified responses. For example, assume that M=2, and the first of the 2 pre-specified responses is that the response subsystem 130 feeds the animal 190, and the second of the 2 pre-specified responses is that the response subsystem 130 releases an electric shock that causes discomfort to the animal 190. Assume that it is recorded that among the 100 actions performed by the response subsystem 130, there are 30 encouraging actions of feeding the animal 190 (i.e., the first response is performed 30 times by the response subsystem 130) and 70 discouraging actions of releasing an electric shock that causes discomfort to the animal 190 (i.e., the second response is performed 70 times by the response subsystem 130). These recorded numbers (i.e., 30 and 70) indicate that the animal 190 is difficult to train and is far from successfully completing the training course (e.g., successfully completing the training course requires that the response subsystem 130 performs the second response less than 10% of the number of times the response subsystem 130 performs the first response).

[0072] Although various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An animal training system, characterized in that: include: microphone; processor; as well as Response subsystem, wherein the microphone is configured to collect sound data of the animal, wherein the processor is configured to cause the response subsystem to perform one of M pre-specified responses based on the sound data, wherein M is an integer greater than 1; wherein a first response of the M pre-specified responses includes the response subsystem providing comfort to the animal, and Wherein a second response of the M pre-specified responses comprises the response subsystem causing discomfort to the animal.

2. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A third response of the M pre-specified responses comprises the response subsystem providing a neutral disturbance to the animal.

3. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first response includes the response subsystem feeding the animal.

4. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first response includes the response subsystem providing a toy for the animal to play with.

5. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first response includes the response subsystem producing a sound or voice that is comforting to the animal.

6. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second response includes the response subsystem generating a sound, voice, or ultrasound that causes discomfort to the animal.

7. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second response includes the response subsystem delivering an electric shock that causes discomfort to the animal.

8. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is an attachment device configured to strap the microphone to the animal so that the microphone can pick up sounds made by the animal.

9. The animal training system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The attachment device is a collar configured to strap the microphone to the neck of the animal.

10. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The response subsystem is connected to the microphone.

11. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The response subsystem is not connected to the microphone.

12. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processor is connected to the microphone.

13. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processor is not connected to the microphone.

14. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processor enables the response subsystem to execute the one of the M pre-specified responses based on the sound data by implementing a classified artificial neural network having M pre-specified output results respectively corresponding to the M pre-specified responses.

15. The animal training system according to claim 14, characterized in that: The processor implements the classification artificial neural network in the following manner: Extracting a sound sample from the sound data, wherein the sound sample is the sound intensity of a certain sound frequency at a certain time point; Feeding the sound sample to the categorized artificial neural network to generate one of the M pre-specified output results; as well as The response subsystem is caused to execute the one of the M pre-specified responses that corresponds to the one of the M pre-specified output results.

16. The animal training system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The animal is a cat, dog or bird.

17. A method for operating an animal training system, characterized in that: The method comprises: Using microphones, collect sound data from animals; and Using a processor, causing the response subsystem to perform one of M pre-specified responses based on the sound data, where M is an integer greater than one.

18. The operating method according to claim 17, characterized in that: Also included is recording the one of the M pre-specified responses to keep track of how often the one of the M pre-specified responses is executed.

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