An entrance apparatus for monitoring pet movements

Abstract

An entrance monitoring apparatus suitable for monitoring animal movements, comprising a transmitter unit 2, a reflector unit 1, and an alert device 100 wherein the transmitter unit transmits beam of

Description

AN ENTRANCE APPARATUS FOR MONITORING MOVEMENTS Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to an entrance apparatus for monitoring movements of animals such as pets, in particular apparatus for placement at a door or window; more particularly but not exclusively so as to alert a homeowner of the approach of their pet. Background 10 Many people in many societies are increasingly keen to own pet animals, for companionship and other reasons. These animals are often free to leave the house, but on return it can be problematic 15 for the animal to gain entrance. In the absence of use of a dedicated pet door, which many may find insecure, for example in the case of a permanently openable door or problematic in the case of microchip readers, it can be difficult to ensure that the pet can gain entrance. 20 Often the pet, for example a cat, will paw at the door in an expectation that the door will be opened, however the owner may be unaware. 25 Prior Art CN 218 038 187 (LI et al) discloses a doorbell, comprising: the shell comprises an inner wall which is arranged in a surrounding mode to form an installation cavity, and the inner wall is provided with a first through hole communicated with the installation 30 cavity; the photoelectric sensor is arranged in the mounting cavity; and the light guide component is at least partially arranged in the first through hole in a penetrating mode so as to receive and conduct light outside the shell, a light condensation structure is arranged on one side, facing the photoelectric sensor, of the light guide component, and the light condensation structure is used for condensing at least part of light 35 propagating in the light guide component to the photoelectric sensor. DE 102 012 024 069 (SCHNEIDER) discloses a device arranged such that when a pet enters the closed door or window, it interrupts the beam of the light barrier, thereby triggering the radio transmitter and the radio receiver (which can be flexibly deposited at different locations) outputs an acoustic or optical signal. US 2015 0 091 728 (HANNING) discloses an alarm system for monitoring movement through a passageway defined by opposing sidewalls comprises a lower passage indicator disposed toward the lower ends of the sidewalls, an upper passage indicator disposed toward the upper ends of the sidewalls and a control mechanism configured to sound an alarm if one of the passage indicators indicates passage through the passageway and the other passage indicator does not. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided an entrance apparatus for monitoring movements, comprising a transmitter unit, a reflector unit, and an alert device, wherein the transmitter unit transmits a beam of light, which beam of light is reflected by the reflector unit, and wherein an alert is broadcast by the alert device when the beam of light is transmitted by the transmitter unit and not received by the transmitter unit so as to broadcast an alert that the entrance requires opening. It may be envisaged that in some embodiments the apparatus may be used to monitor doorways and gateways or similar for animals, including humans, gaining or wishing to gain access to a property. In this way the apparatus of the present invention provides a means of situating an alert in a preferred location, at a preferred height, that the animal or pet will be able to sound the alert, according to the pet’s behaviour, being calibrated by a user. A local or remote alert may be envisaged and / or provided. In this way it may be envisaged that such a device may be used in a gateway or porch area to also be used as an audible alert to anyone who may be making their way into someone's property as in not necessarily a pet but perhaps a human instead, thereby providing a self-actuating doorbell for example. Positioning of the units close to the door surface will eliminate false positives common to touch sensitive mats and the like, such that in some installations it may be guaranteed that only when the pet is pawing at the door will the alert be sounded. In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus comprises separate units. In this way the units may be placed as and where required, for example to either side of a doorway, at an appropriate height and distance from the door to ensure that false alerts are not provided by humans for example. The separate units may therefore comprise separate securement in use, for example adhesive or fixing securement. In other embodiments it may be envisaged that the units may be interconnected, for example by an elongated member, so as to enable easy installation on a doorframe as well as ensure correct functionality. Such member may position the units spaced apart from a base and opposing each other. In some embodiments of the apparatus the units comprises an articulation means. In this way the units may be articulated or moved in relation to each other and / or where they are secured. In some such embodiments of the apparatus the articulation means comprises a base and hinge, for example so that the unit, or active part thereof, may be hinged in relation to the base and / or where the unit has been secured. In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus comprises a separate alert device which may be envisaged to comprise a portable unit, for example handheld and / or provided by independently provided equipment such as a smartphone, which may be envisaged to be located on a user in use, or in an appropriate location in the user’s home or building. In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus operates on the infrared spectrum. In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus wireless connectivity, such as intermachine operability such as Bluetooth (RTM) or a wireless network such as using WiFi (RTM) or shortwave or other radio frequency signals (RF). In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus a visual alert. Such alert may comprise one or more local light source, for example an LED (light emitting diode), which may be situated on or in the device and / or may be located at or on the units. In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus an audible alert. This audible alert may be provided by a loudspeaker on the device or on one or both of the units. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the alert device from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 show reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the units from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the alert device from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an exploded reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the alert device from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the reflector unit from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 shows an exploded reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the reflector unit from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the transmitter unit from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 shows an exploded reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the transmitter unit from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; 5 and Figures 10 show side and front diagrammatic views of the embodiment o the apparatus shown in Figure 1. 10 Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of entrance apparatus 199 for monitoring pet movements, comprising a transmitter unit 2, a reflector unit 1, and an alert device 100, wherein the transmitter unit transmits a beam of light, which beam 15 of light is reflected by the reflector unit, and wherein an alert is broadcast by the alert device when the beam of light is transmitted by the transmitter unit and not received by the transmitter unit. The apparatus comprises three separate units, namely a monolithic, and / or separately 20 available unit providing the transmitter unit and a monolithic and / or separately available unit providing the reflector unit. In this way the units 99 may be located as preferred to either side of an entrance, at a preferred height and disposition so as to match the pet animal or behaviour thereof 25 that it may be envisaged the apparatus is for. The units 1,2 comprise a base 14,25 respectively that may be envisaged to be secured to a surface or structure in a preferred location, and opposing each other so as to provide a means of reflecting the beam of light from the reflector unit back to the 30 transmitter unit as required and across the entrance. The units 1,2 both comprise articulation in the form of a hinge 15,26 between the base and a housing 101,202 for the electronic elements of the units. 35 The hinge runs along a long side of a substantially rectangular or oblong unit, with an arcuate top edge. It may be envisaged therefore that the units may be located in a vertical orientation, with the hinge along one side. The units have the hinges down opposing sides, so as to allow for easy adjustment during installation, during which a user would adjust the hinges until the alert is no longer broadcast. The alert device comprises a portable device 100 that may be envisaged to be located as preferred in relation to the user when in the property, being capable of moving between rooms to ensure an effective alert is broadcast. The pictured embodiment of the device comprises a circular truncated cylinder form with a central loudspeaker 34 on a first face, and the opposed second face providing a battery cover 38 and serving to provide a securement surface if preferred by the user. The securement is provided by an adhesive wall mount 44. The rear or second face further provides: LED (light emitting diode) ring cover 45 Rigid polycarbonate front casing 33 PCB (printed circuit board) 50 with controls for power chime tune and volume and receiver chip 46. Rigid polycarbonate back casing 32 Rechargeable or replaceable batteries 47 Rubber gasket 48 for battery pack Simple power button 49 with LED indicator 39 to show if the device is on and active. Flattened sidewall portion 37 to allow the device to stand upright without compromising visual appeal A dial 42 on the sidewall comer with the rear face allows the user to change the volume of the chimes' alert sound. A button 41 next to it allows the user to cycle through different tunes. 5 The LED ring 45 will light green when a pet triggers the alert, red when the batteries are low on charge and orange to notify that the units are misaligned. With reference to the pictured embodiment of the transmitter unit 2 the embodiment 10 comprises a base 25 for securement to a surface and a housing 202 for the electronics of the unit. The base and housing are connected at an elongated hinge 26, along a side of the housing. The hinge has a barrel which has a locking hinge means, comprised of an orthogonally 15 extending paddle 21 connected to a stem that extends longitudinally along the barrel into a male threaded part 18 and a female threaded collar 20, forming the hinge, the stem having an enlarged diameter section 19 that engages into a socket when the paddle is turned. 20 The base and the rear of the housing each include neodymium magnets 61, which work together to hold the housing against the base. The rear of the housing further comprises a plate 65 which hinges to the base, and which provides the magnet 61 securement. 25 The housing is formed of two casing parts 63,22 which screw together and are provided in aluminium or rigid plastics. The front casing part includes a cover 24 over an infrared light beam transmitter 67 and a status LED 23, all controlled by a printed circuit board 66 with a transmitter and 30 batteries 64. The transmitter 67 is near a top end, which end is arcuate in form so as to identify the top of the unit easily. 35 The reflector unit 1 in the pictured embodiment comprises a base 14 for securement to a surface and a housing 101 for the electronics of the unit. The base and housing are connected at an elongated hinge 15, along a side of the housing. The rear of the housing further comprises a plate 17 which hinges to the base, and which provides magnet 61 securement. The base 14 can be secured to a wall either by adhesive sticky pads or screw fixings. The hinges enable the housings to be fixed parallel to an entrance, doorway or window and folded outwards. The hinge barrel has a locking hinge means, comprised of an orthogonally extending paddle 12 connected to a stem that extends longitudinally along the barrel into a male threaded part 18 and a female threaded collar 20, forming the hinge, the male threaded part having an enlarged diameter section 19 that engages into a socket when the paddle is turned. The base and the rear of the housing each include neodymium magnets 61, which work together to hold the housing against the base. The housing is formed of two casing parts 13,16 which screw together and are provided in aluminium or rigid plastics. The front casing part includes a hole and a disc providing a reflective surface 11 near a top end, which end is arcuate in form so as to identify the top of the unit easily. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal movements, comprising a transmitter unit, a reflector unit, and an alert device, wherein the transmitter unit transmits a beam of light, which beam of light is reflected by the reflector unit, and wherein an alert is broadcast by the alert device when the beam of light is transmitted by the transmitter unit and not received by the transmitter unit so as to broadcast an alert that the entrance requires opening.

2. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal movements according to claim 1 comprising separate units.

3. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal movements according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the units comprise an articulation means.

4. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal movements according to claim 3 wherein the articulation means comprises a base and hinge.

5. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal movements according to claim 1 comprising a separate alert device.

6. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal movements according to claim 5 wherein the alert device is portable.

7. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal movements according to any of the preceding claims comprising infrared.

8. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal movements according to any of the preceding claims comprising wireless connectivity.

9. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal movements according to any of the preceding claims comprising intermachine operability such as Bluetooth (RTM).

10. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal movements according to any of the preceding claims comprising network capability such as WiFi.

11. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal preceding claims comprising a visual alert. movements according to any 5 12. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal movements preceding claims comprising a local light source. according to any 13. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal preceding claims comprising an audible alert. movements according to any 10 14. Entrance apparatus for monitoring animal preceding claims comprising a loudspeaker. movements according to any

Images