A communicating system and a method for communicating with an animal

Abstract

An communicating system (1) comprises a receiving device (5) to be secured around a dog's neck (6) and a smart mobile phone (7) configured by an app to communicate with the receiving device (5). A plurality of voice command signals and corresponding whistle command signals are stored in an electronic memory (14) of the receiving device (5). A microcontroller (20) in the receiving device (5) is responsive to select signals transmitted by the smart mobile phone (7) corresponding to the voice command signals for sequentially applying the selected voice and corresponding whistle command signal to a sounder (16) in the receiving device (5) for reproducing the selected voice and whistle command signal in audible word and whistle forms to command the dog to carry out the corresponding command. The commands that are stored in the voice command signals are "sit", "stay", "come", "drop-it", "heel" and "leave-it", and are recorded along with the name of the dog by the smart mobile phone (7) in the voice of the dog owner and are uploaded to the electronic memory (14) of the receiving device (5) by the smart mobile phone (7) when the smart mobile phone (7) and the receiving device (5) are operating in a setup mode.

Description

[0001] A communicating system and a method for communicating with an animal

[0002] The present invention relates to a communicating system for communicating with an animal, and in particular, a communicating system for communicating with a dog. The invention also relates to a method for communicating with an animal, and in particular, a method for communicating with a dog.

[0003] Training a dog to carry out commands can be a difficult and in particular, a time consuming task. Many methods and systems are known for training a dog or other animal to carry out specific commands, for example, commands to come, to sit, to stay, to drop something, to leave something or to come to heel, in other words, to walk behind the dog owner. However, such methods and communicating systems suffer from various disadvantages. Accordingly, there is a need for a communicating system and a method for training an animal to comply with commands.

[0004] The present invention is directed towards providing such a communicating system and such a method.

[0005] According to the invention there is provided a communicating system for communicating with an animal and in particular a dog, the communicating system comprising

[0006] a receiving device, the receiving device comprising

[0007] a housing adapted for attaching to the dog,

[0008] an electronic memory located in the housing storing a plurality of selectable command signals in electronic form adapted for reproduction as audible word commands recorded in the voice of the owner or handler of the dog and / or adapted for reproducing as audible whistle commands,

[0009] a sounder located in the housing adapted to reproduce the command signals in the audible form, a wireless receiver located in the housing adapted to receive respective remotely transmitted wireless select signals from a smart mobile device operating in a run mode, each select signal corresponding to one of the selectable command signals stored in the electronic memory, and

[0010] a signal processor located in the housing, the signal processor being programmed to be responsive to each select signal received by the wireless receiver from the smart mobile device operating in the run mode

[0011] to select the command signal from the electronic memory corresponding to the select signal, to apply the selected command signal to the sounder for reproduction in the audible word form and / or the audible whistle form, and

[0012] to operate the sounder to reproduce the command signal as an audible signal in the word formand / or the whistle form.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention the command signals reproduceable as audible voice word commands are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device as voice command signals, and the command signals reproduceable as audible whistle commands are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device as whistle command signals.

[0014] Preferably, the whistle command signals are cross-referenced with corresponding ones of the voice command signals in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

[0015] Advantageously, the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to permit selective crossreferencing of the voice command signals with respective selected ones of the whistle command signals.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention the whistle command signals are prestored in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention the signal processor is programmed to be responsive to each select signal received from the smart mobile device to select the corresponding voice command signal from the electronic memory, and to select the corresponding whistle command signal from the electronic memory, and to apply the respective selected voice command signal and corresponding whistle command signal sequentially to the sounder.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention the signal processor is programmed to apply the selected voice command signal to the sounder before the corresponding whistle command signal is applied to the sounder.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment of the invention the whistle command signal is applied to the sounder prior to applying the voice command signal to the sounder.

[0020] Preferably, the signal processor is programmed to time a predefined pause time period of a first predefined time duration between the sequential application of the respective selected voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder.Advantageously, the first predefined time duration of the predefined pause time period lies in the range of one second to six seconds.

[0021] Preferably, the first predefined time duration of the predefined pause time period is selectable.

[0022] Preferably, the signal processor is programmed to repeat the sequential application of the selected voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder at least once at a predefined time interval.

[0023] Advantageously, the signal processor is programmed to repeat the sequential application of the selected voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder at least three times at the predefined time intervals.

[0024] Preferably, each predefined time interval is of a second predefined time duration in the range of ten seconds to thirty seconds.

[0025] Advantageously, the second predefined time duration of each predefined time interval is selectable.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention the signal processor is programmed to reduce the second predefined time duration of each predefined time interval between each subsequent repetition of the sequential application of the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder after the first repetition of the sequential application of the voice commands signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder by the signal processor.

[0027] Preferably, each voice command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in a form to be reproduceable as an audible voice command.

[0028] Preferably, each voice command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in digital form.

[0029] Preferably, each whistle command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in a form to be reproduceable as an audible whistle command.In one embodiment of the invention each whistle command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in digital form.

[0030] In another embodiment of the invention the electronic communicating system comprises the smart mobile device.

[0031] Preferably, the smart mobile device is adapted to store the select signals in electronic form, and to display the select signals for selection.

[0032] Advantageously, the select signals are visually displayed for selection.

[0033] Preferably, the words of the voice command signals with which the respective select signals correspond are displayed in a form in which the select signals are selectable.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention the smart mobile device comprises a display screen for displaying the select signals for selection thereon.

[0035] In another embodiment of the invention the display screen of the smart mobile device comprises a touch screen adapted to enable selection of the displayed select signals by touching the touchscreen.

[0036] Preferably, the smart mobile device operating in the run mode is adapted to wirelessly transmit the selected ones of the select signals for reception by the wireless receiver of the receiving device.

[0037] In another embodiment of the invention the smart mobile device comprises a smart mobile phone.

[0038] Preferably, the smart mobile phone is programmed by an app configured to enable storing of the select signals in the smart mobile phone and to transmit the select signals wirelessly to the receiving device on selection thereof.

[0039] In one embodiment of the invention the smart mobile phone is programmed by the app to transmit each of the select signals in a Bluetooth protocol, and preferably, the Bluetooth protocol has a transmission range in the range of 100 metres to 700 metres, and preferably, a range of 100 metres to 200 metres.In one embodiment of the invention the smart mobile phone is operable under the control of the app in a setup mode, and in the setup mode is adapted to transmit a signal to operate the receiving device in a setup mode, and the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to operate in the setup mode in response to the setup signal being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device to operate under the control of the app in the smart mobile phone.

[0040] In another embodiment of the invention the whistle command signals are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device when operating in the setup mode under the control of the smart mobile phone when operating in the setup mode, and preferably, the whistle command signals are selectable from a menu thereof, and are uploadable into the electronic memory of the receiving device through the smart mobile phone when the smart mobile phone and the receiving device are operating in the setup mode under the control of the app.

[0041] Preferably, the voice command signals are cross-referenced with corresponding selected ones of the whistle command signals and are stored in and cross-referenced with the corresponding selected ones of the whistle command signals in the electronic memory of the receiving device when the smart mobile phone and the signal processor of the receiving device are operating in the setup mode, so that when the receiving device is operating in run mode, on a voice command signal being selected from the electronic memory of the receiving device by the signal processor in response to a corresponding select signal, the corresponding whistle command signal is also selected by the signal processor.

[0042] Preferably, the smart mobile phone operating under the control of the app in the setup mode is adapted to enable the spoken word or words of each voice command signal to be recorded in the smart mobile phone and converted to the corresponding voice command signal, and the corresponding converted voice command signal is transmitted to the wireless receiver of the receiving device and stored by the signal processor of the receiving device operating in the setup mode in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

[0043] Preferably, each voice command signal on being recorded in the smart mobile phone operating under the app in the setup mode is transmitted to the receiving device for storing by the signal processor in the electronic memory thereof.

[0044] In another embodiment of the invention the smart mobile phone operating under the control of the app inthe setup mode is adapted to enable the spoken name of the dog to be recorded in the smart mobile phone and converted to a signal in digital or other form reproduceable in voice form, and to be transmitted to the wireless receiver of the receiving device and to be stored by the signal processor of the receiving device operating in the setup mode in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

[0045] Preferably, the signal processor is programmed when operating in the run mode to combine the signal reproduceable in voice form containing the name of the dog with each one of the voice command signals prior to the selected voice command signal being applied to the sounder, so that when the combined signal reproduceable as the name of the dog in voice form and the selected voice command signal are applied to the sounder, the name of the dog in voice form and the command in voice form are sequentially reproduced by the sounder of the receiving device.

[0046] In one embodiment of the invention one of the voice command signals comprises the word “come” so that when the voice command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word “come" commanding the dog to return to its owner or handler.

[0047] Preferably, one of the voice command signals comprises the word “sit”, so that when that voice command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word “sit” commanding the dog to sit.

[0048] Advantageously, one of the voice command signals comprises the word “stay” so that when that voice command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word “stay”, commanding the dog to stay in the location at which it is currently.

[0049] In another embodiment of the invention one of the voice command signals comprises the term “drop-it”, so that when that command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the term “drop-it” commanding the dog to drop whatever it is holding, typically, in its mouth.

[0050] In another embodiment of the invention one of the voice command signals comprises the term “leave-it”, so that when that voice command is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the term “leave-it” commanding the dog to stop whatever it is currently doing.

[0051] In another embodiment of the invention one of the voice command signals comprises the word “heel” sothat when that voice command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word “heel” commanding the dog to walk at the owner’s heel.

[0052] In one embodiment of the invention the signal processor is responsive to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to operate the receiving device in a default mode.

[0053] Preferably, in the default mode of the receiving device, the signal processor is programmed to apply at least one of the voice command signals or the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder, wherein the voice command signal is indicative of a voice command commanding the dog to return to the owner or handler thereof, and to operate the sounder to reproduce the audible word form of the voice command signal or to produce the audible whistle form of the corresponding whistle command signal at least once.

[0054] Advantageously, the signal processor is operable in the default mode in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to apply both the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder.

[0055] Preferably, the signal processor is operable in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to continuously apply one or both of the voice command signal or the corresponding whistle command signal continuously to the sounder until the wireless receiver of the receiving device again comes within the range of the smart mobile device.

[0056] In one embodiment of the invention the signal processor is operable in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to continuously and sequentially apply both the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder until the wireless receiver of the receiving device again comes within the range of the smart mobile device.

[0057] In another embodiment of the invention the signal processor is operable in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to sequentially apply both the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal continuously to the sounder at the predefined time intervals until the wireless receiver of the receiving device again comes within the range of the smart mobile device.Preferably, the voice command signal that the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to apply to the sounder in the default mode is the voice command signal comprising the word “come".

[0058] In one embodiment of the invention the smart mobile device is programmed to transmit a continuity signal at predefined time periods each of a third predefined time duration or continuously for reception by the wireless receiver of the receiving device, and the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to read the continuity signal from the wireless receiver, and in the absence of the continuity signal being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device, the signal processor is programmed to determine that the receiving device is out of range of the smart mobile device.

[0059] Preferably, each third predefined time duration lies in the range of two seconds to five seconds, and preferably, in the range of two seconds to three seconds.

[0060] Advantageously, the signal processor is programmed to operate the receiving device in the default mode in the absence of the continuity signal being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device during five consecutive predefined time periods or for a continuous period of up to thirty seconds if the continuity signal is being continuously transmitted by the smart mobile device, and preferably, during a continuous period in the range of five seconds to thirty seconds if the continuity signal is being continuously transmitted by the smart mobile device.

[0061] In another embodiment of the invention the smart mobile device is programmed under the app to store instructions for teaching a dog owner or a dog handler how to train a dog.

[0062] Preferably, the smart mobile phone under the control of the app is programmed to present the instructions in a sequential manner for teaching a dog owner or handler to train the dog.

[0063] Advantageously, the smart mobile device is adapted to present the instructions for training the dog in a visual form.

[0064] In one embodiment of the invention the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in visual form on a screen of the smart mobile device.In another embodiment of the invention the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in video form on the screen of the smart mobile device.

[0065] In a further embodiment of the invention the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in voice form.

[0066] Preferably, the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in a combination of video form and voice form.

[0067] In one embodiment of the invention the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in a step by step form.

[0068] In another embodiment of the invention the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in sets of instructions, one set of instructions being provided to teach the dog owner how to train the dog to carry out a corresponding one of the commands of the voice command signals.

[0069] Preferably, the smart mobile device is adapted to time the time periods that the dog is being trained to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals and to accumulate the time periods during which the dog is being trained to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals and to store the accumulated times during which the dog is trained to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals.

[0070] Advantageously, the smart mobile device is programmed to count the number of times the dog is commanded to carry out each one of the commands of the voice command signals, and to accumulate the numbers of times the dog is commanded to carry out each one of the commands of the voice command signals.

[0071] In one embodiment of the invention the average number of times a dog of average intelligence of a breed similar to the dog being trained had to be commanded to carry out the command of at least one of the voice command signals until the average dog was trained to a state to be proficient in carrying out that command is stored in the smart mobile phone to enable the dog owner or handler to compare the number of times the dog being trained had to be commanded to carry out that command until the dog was proficient in carrying out that command with the corresponding number of commands for the average dogto be proficient in carrying out that command to enable a dog owner to assess the intelligence or lack thereof of the dog relative to the average dog.

[0072] Preferably, the average number of times a dog of average intelligence of a breed similar to the dog being trained had to be commanded to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals until the average dog was trained to a state to be proficient in carrying out each of the commands are stored in the smart mobile phone.

[0073] In one embodiment of the invention the receiving device is adapted to operate in a geolocating mode for determining the location of a dog or other animal.

[0074] Preferably, the receiving device is adapted to operate in the geolocating mode for determining the location of the dog or other animal relative to a defined area.

[0075] Advantageously, the defined area is defined by a real or an imaginary boundary.

[0076] In one embodiment of the invention the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed in response to the dog or other animal being detected as crossing the boundary from the predefined area or being outside the predefined area for applying the voice command signal commanding the dog to return to the owner or handler to the sounder and operating the sounder to reproduce the voice command commanding the dog or other animal to return to its owner or handler.

[0077] In another embodiment of the invention the signal processor is programmed to continuously apply the voice command signal to the sounder until the dog or other animal has returned to the predefined area.

[0078] Preferably, the signal processor is programmed to apply both the voice command signal commanding the dog or other animal to return to its owner or handler to the sounder and to apply the corresponding whistle command signal at the predefined intervals to the sounder in response to the dog or other animal being detected crossing the boundary from the predefined area or being outside the predefined area until the dog or other animal returns to the predefined area.

[0079] In one embodiment of the invention the voice command signal commanding the dog or other animal to return to its owner or handler to which the signal processor is to apply to the sounder is the voicecommand signal comprising the word “come”.

[0080] In another embodiment of the invention the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed in the geolocation mode to read signals from three wireless signal geolocation transmitters at three spaced apart locations and to determine the direction from which the respective three wireless signals are received by the receiving device and by triangulation based on the angles at which the transmitted signals from the three geolocation transmitters are received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device to determine the location of the dog or other animal.

[0081] Preferably, the three geolocation transmitters are located at spaced apart intervals around the boundary of the predefined area.

[0082] Advantageously, the locations of the respective three geolocation transmitters relative to the predefined area are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

[0083] In one embodiment of the invention the signals transmitted by the three geolocation transmitters are selected from one of the following, Bluetooth protocol, Wi-Fi protocol, radio signals or signals produced in any other standard protocol.

[0084] In another embodiment of the invention each of the three geolocation transmitters produce a signal containing the identity of that geolocation transmitter.

[0085] In one embodiment of the invention a clicker signal is prestored in the electronic memory of the receiving device, and the signal processor is responsive to the wireless receiver of the receiving device receiving a clicker select signal from the smart mobile device for applying the clicker signal to the sounder to produce a clicker sound to indicate to the dog that it successfully carried out a command.

[0086] In another embodiment of the invention an input means is provided for operating the smart mobile device to transmit the clicker select signal for reception by the wireless receiver of the receiving device.

[0087] Preferably, the input means for operating the smart mobile device to transmit the clicker select signal to the receiving device comprises a virtual button displayed on the touchscreen of the smart mobile device.Additionally, the invention provides a communicating system for communicating with an animal and in particular a dog, the communicating system comprising a receiving device, the receiving device comprising a housing adapted for attaching to the dog, an electronic memory located in the housing storing at least one command signal in electronic form adapted for reproduction as an audible command commanding the dog to return to the owner, a sounder located in the housing adapted to reproduce the command signal in an audible form, a wireless receiver located in the housing adapted to receive a continuity signal from a smart mobile device, and a signal processor located in the housing and programmed to read the continuity signal from the wireless receiver, the signal processor being responsive to the absence of the continuity signal being received by the wireless receiver to operate the receiving device in a default mode.

[0088] In one embodiment of the invention in the default mode of the receiving device the signal processor is programmed to apply the at least one command signal adapted for reproduction as an audible command commanding the dog to return to the owner to the sounder, and to operate the sounder to reproduce the audible command commanding the dog to return to the owner.

[0089] In another embodiment of the invention the at least one command signal adapted for reproduction as an audible command commanding the dog to return to the owner comprises one or both of a voice command signal and a whistle command signal.

[0090] Preferably, in the default mode of the receiving device the signal processor is programmed to continuously apply the at least one command signal adapted for reproduction as an audible command commanding the dog to return to the owner at predefined time intervals until the signal processor determines that the continuity signal is again being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device.

[0091] Advantageously, the smart mobile device is programmed to transmit the continuity signal at predefined time intervals, each of a predefined time duration or continuously for reception by the wireless receiver of the receiving device.

[0092] Preferably, each predefined time duration lies in the range of two seconds to five seconds, and preferably, in the range of two seconds to three seconds.

[0093] Preferably, the signal processor is programmed to operate the receiving device in the default mode in theabsence of the continuity signal being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device during five consecutive predefined time periods or for a continuous period of up to thirty seconds if the continuity signal is being continuously transmitted by the smart mobile device, and preferably, during a continuous period in the range of five seconds to thirty seconds if the continuity signal is being continuously transmitted by the smart mobile device.

[0094] The invention also provides a method for communicating with an animal, and in particular with a dog, the method comprising providing a communicating system comprising

[0095] a receiving device, the receiving device comprising

[0096] a housing adapted for attaching to the dog,

[0097] an electronic memory located in the housing storing a plurality of selectable command signals in electronic form adapted for reproduction as audible word commands recorded in the voice of the owner or handler of the dog and / or adapted for reproducing as audible whistle commands,

[0098] a sounder located in the housing adapted to reproduce the command signals in the audible form, a wireless receiver located in the housing adapted to receive respective remotely transmitted wireless select signals from a smart mobile device operating in a run mode, each select signal corresponding to one of the selectable command signals stored in the electronic memory, and

[0099] a signal processor located in the housing, the method comprising programming the signal processor to be responsive to each select signal received by the wireless receiver from the smart mobile device operating in the run mode

[0100] to select the command signal from the electronic memory corresponding to the select signal, to apply the selected command signal to the sounder for reproduction in the audible word form and / or the audible whistle form, and

[0101] to operate the sounder to reproduce the command signal as an audible signal in the word form and / or the whistle form.

[0102] The invention further provides a method for communicating with an animal, and in particular, with a dog, the method comprising communicating with the dog through the communicating system according to the invention.

[0103] The advantages of the invention are many. The communicating system and the method according to the invention provide an efficient way of communicating with a dog or other animal, and particularly, for communicating with a dog or other animal at a distance. The communicating system and method areparticularly suitable for training a dog or other animal, and provide for monitoring the training of the dog or other animal, as well as monitoring the progress in the training of the dog or other animal. A further advantage of the invention is that should the dog or other animal go out of range of the smart mobile device, the receiving device of the communicating system goes into a default mode and commands the dog or other animal to return to its owner or handler. A further and a particularly important advantage of the invention is that the name of the dog and the respective word commands of the corresponding voice command signals are recorded in the voice of the owner or the handler of the dog or other animal. Thereby, when the audible word commands are reproduced by the sounder they are reproduced in the voice of the owner or the handler, and thereby, the dog or other animal knows that it is the owner or the handler who is issuing the command or commands.

[0104] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0105] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a receiving device according to the invention of an electronic communicating system also according to the invention,

[0106] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the receiving device of Fig. 1,

[0107] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a part of the receiving device of Fig. 1,

[0108] Fig. 4 is another part of the electronic communicating system according to the invention,

[0109] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a dog with the receiving device of Fig. 1 attached to the neck of the dog,

[0110] Fig. 6 is a block representation of the communicating system according to the invention,

[0111] Fig. 7 is a view of a smart mobile phone operating under the control of an app, which when operating under the control of the app forms a part of the communicating system of Fig. 1,

[0112] Fig. 8 is another view of the smart mobile phone of Fig. 7, also operating under the control of the app.Fig. 9 is a further view of the smart mobile phone of Fig. 7, operating under the control of the app,

[0113] Fig. 10 is another view of the smart mobile phone also operating under the control of the app,

[0114] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a receiving device according to another embodiment of the invention of an electronic communicating system also according to another embodiment of the invention illustrated in use, and

[0115] Fig. 12 is a block representation of the receiving device of Fig. 11.

[0116] Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 10 thereof, there is illustrated an electronic communicating system according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for communicating with a dog 3, and in particular, for issuing commands to the dog 3. The electronic communicating system 1 comprises a receiving device 5 also according to the invention adapted for securing to the neck 6 of the dog 3, and a smart mobile device, in this embodiment of the invention a smart mobile phone 7. The smart mobile phone 7 is programmed by an app stored therein to issue instructions to the receiving device 5 and to control the operation of the receiving device 5. The smart mobile phone 7 is adapted under the control of the app to communicate wirelessly with the receiving device 5 to operate the receiving device 5 to issue commands to the dog 3 as will be described below. The smart mobile phone 7 is operated under the control of the app to communicate with the receiving device 5 in a Bluetooth protocol, which in this embodiment of the invention has an operating range up to 700 metres approximately. Before describing the operation of the smart mobile phone 7, the receiving device 5 will first be described.

[0117] The receiving device 5 comprises a housing 9 adapted for securing to the dog 3 by a strap 10 around the neck 6 of the dog, so that audible sounds, including words in voice form, in this case in the voice of the dog owner, and audible whistles, as will be described below, produced by the receiving device 5 are audible to the dog 3. The housing 9 comprises a sealed watertight housing, and in this embodiment of the invention is releasably contained in an outer carrier shell 11 by a snap-fit action. Slots 12 in the outer shell 11 accommodate the strap 10 for securing the outer carrier shell 11 with the housing 9 therein to the neck 6 of the dog 3. The housing 9 is of a relatively strong and rigid plastics material, and the outer carrier shell 11 is of a resilient rubber-like material to facilitate ease of securing and releasing the housing9 from the outer carrier shell 11.

[0118] Referring now to Fig. 6, an electronic memory 14 is located within the housing 9 for storing the name of the dog and a plurality of command signals in digital form which are applied to a sounder 16 located in the housing 9 through a digital to analogue converter 17 also located in the housing 9, to reproduce the name of the dog along with the command signals in audible word and whistle form in response to select signals indicative of the respective command signals wirelessly transmitted by the smart mobile phone 7 in the Bluetooth protocol, which typically would have a range of 100 metres to 700 metres, however, in this embodiment of the invention would have a range typically in the order of 100 metres to 200 metres, and more preferably, a range of approximately 100 metres. A wireless receiver 18 also located in the housing 9 is adapted to receive the transmitted select signals and other signals transmitted by the smart mobile phone 7 under the control of the app. A signal processor, in this embodiment of the invention a microcontroller 20, is located in the housing 9, and is programmed to control the operation of the receiving device 5. The microcontroller 20 is programmed to read the select signals received by the wireless receiver 18 from the smart mobile phone 7 and to operate the receiving device 5 and the sounder 16 in response to the received select signals as will be described below.

[0119] The receiving device 5 is powered by a rechargeable battery 22 located in the housing 9. A charging port 23, in this embodiment of the invention comprising a pair of magnetic contacts 24 are located in the housing 9 for charging the battery 22. The magnetic contacts 24 are adapted for magnetically engaging a corresponding pair of magnetic contacts 25 on a lead 26 extending from a USB connector 28 for charging the battery 22 from an electrical power supply through a USB port from a transformer or a computer producing an electrical power supply of the appropriate voltage, typically, 3.7 volts for applying through the charging port 23. A switch 28 in the housing 9 is operated through a watertight membrane 29 in the housing 9 for switching the receiving device 5 on and off.

[0120] In this embodiment of the invention the electronic memory 14 is adapted to store twelve command signals in digital form. Six of the command signals are voice command signals, and are stored in the electronic memory 14 in digital form so that the voice command signals when applied to the sounder 16 through the digital to analogue converter 17 are reproduced by the sounder 16 in audible voice form as spoken words. Six of the command signals are whistle command signals and are stored in the electronic memory 14 in digital form, so that when the whistle command signals are applied to the sounder 16 through the digital to analogue converter 17 they are reproduced by the sounder 16 as audible whistle sounds. The whistleforms of the respective six whistle command signals are different to each other, in other words, the whistle form of each whistle command signal is different to the whistle form of the other whistle command signals.

[0121] The voice forms of the voice command signals are prefixed by the name of the dog, and in this embodiment of the invention the six voice command signals stored in the electronic memory 14 are as follows:

[0122] (Name of dog) “sit" commanding the dog to sit.

[0123] (Name of dog) “stay” commanding the dog to stay where the dog is currently. (Name of dog) “come” commanding the dog to come back to the owner. (Name of dog) “drop-it” commanding the dog to drop whatever it is holding in its mouth or elsewhere.

[0124] (Name of dog) “heel" commanding the dog to walk at the heel of the owner of the dog.

[0125] (Name of dog) “leave-it” commanding the dog to stop whatever it is doing currently.

[0126] The smart mobile phone 7 operating under the control of the app is programmed to produce six select signals corresponding to the respective six voice command signals for selecting the respective six voice command signals.

[0127] In this embodiment of the invention as discussed above, the whistle sound produced by the sounder 16 when each whistle command signal is applied to the sounder 16 is different to the whistle sounds produced by the other whistle command signals when applied to the sounder 16. In this case, the whistle command signals are prestored in the electronic memory 14, and are selectable by the dog owner to be matched and cross-referenced in the electronic memory 14 with the respective voice command signals. This matching is carried out through the smart mobile phone 7 when the receiving device 5 and the smart mobile phone are both operating in respective setup modes under the control of the app as will be described below. Although, in some embodiments of the invention the whistle command signals may be stored in the “cloud" and would be selectable and downloadable from a menu of the whistle command signals stored in the “cloud” when the smart mobile phone is operating in the setup mode, and selectively cross-referenced with the voice command signals and stored cross-referenced with the corresponding voice command signals in the electronic memory 14 by the microcontroller 20, when operating in thesetup mode.

[0128] With the six voice command signals and the six whistle command signals stored and cross-referenced in the electronic memory 14, when the receiving device 5 and the smart mobile phone 7 are operating in the run mode, the microcontroller 20 is programmed, that on reading one of the select signals received by the wireless receiver 18, to select the corresponding voice command signal from the electronic memory 14 and the whistle command signal cross-referenced with the selected voice command signal, and to apply the selected voice command signal prefixed with the name of the dog and whistle command signal sequentially to the sounder 16 through the digital to analogue converter 17. In this embodiment of the invention, the voice command signal prefixed with the name of the dog is applied first to the sounder 14 and then the whistle command signal is applied to the sounder 16. Although in some embodiments of the invention the whistle command signal may be applied first to the sounder and the voice command signal would be applied next to the sounder 16. Each select signal transmitted by the smart mobile phone is indicative of a corresponding one of the voice command signals to be selected from the electronic memory 14 and applied to the sounder 16.

[0129] The smart mobile phone 7 when operating under the control of the app in the run mode is operable to display the commands corresponding to the six voice command signals on a display screen, namely, the touchscreen 30 of the smart mobile phone 7, as illustrated in Fig. 7. The commands are displayed in respective defined areas 32 marked-off on the touchscreen 30, and each marked-off area 32 contains the word indicative of the corresponding command. To operate the smart mobile phone 7 to transmit the select signals corresponding to the commands, the dog owner touches the screen 30 in the marked-off area 32 corresponding to the voice command signal being selected. The smart mobile phone 7 operating under the control of the app in the run mode is configured when one of the marked-off areas 32 displayed on the touchscreen 30 is selected by touching the touch screen 30 to transmit the corresponding select signal indicative of the voice command signal to be selected by the microcontroller 20 from the electronic memory 14 in the receiving device 5.

[0130] The microcontroller 20 of the receiving device 5 reads signals from the wireless receiver 18, and on receiving one of the select signals indicative of one of the voice command signals, the microcontroller 20 selects the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal from the electronic memory 14, and applies the selected voice and whistle command signals sequentially to the sounder 16 through the digital to analogue converter 17 with a predefined pause time between the application of thevoice command signal and the whistle command signal to the sounder 16. In this embodiment of the invention the predefined pause time period is of a first predefined time duration which is selectable between one second and six seconds. The sounder 16 produces the voice and whistle commands sequentially in audible voice form together with the name of the dog and in audible whistle form, so that they are audible to the dog with the predefined pause time period between the voice and whistle commands. Additionally, the microcontroller 20 is programmed to operate the sounder 16 to produce the sequence of the voice and whistle forms of the selected voice and whistle command signals three times at predefined time intervals. The predefined time intervals are of a second predefined time duration which is selectable between ten seconds and thirty seconds. On the voice and whistle forms of the selected command signal being heard by the dog 3, after sufficient training of the dog, the dog 3 obeys the command signal and follows the command.

[0131] Turning now to the entry of the voice command signals into the electronic memory 14 of the receiving device 5, the smart mobile phone 7 is operated in the setup mode and transmits a setup signal to the receiving device 5. The microcontroller 20 is responsive to the setup signal to operate in the setup mode. With the smart mobile phone 7 and the microcontroller 20 both operating in the respective setup modes, the smart mobile phone 7 requests the name of the dog to be entered into the smart mobile phone 7 in voice form by the owner of the dog 3 speaking the name of the dog into the smart mobile phone 7, see Fig. 8. The smart mobile phone records the name of the dog and stores it in digital form. The smart mobile phone 7 then displays the six commands on the touchscreen 30 to be selected sequentially, see Fig. 7. On each command signal being selected by the dog owner on the touchscreen 30, the dog owner speaks the corresponding command to the smart mobile phone 7. The smart mobile phone 7 records the name of the dog along with each voice command as spoken by the dog owner and stores the recorded spoken name of the dog along with the spoken voice command in digital form.

[0132] The dog owner is then requested to select a desired whistle command signal from the library of whistle commands available from the app in the smart mobile phone 7 to be cross-referenced with the just spoken voice command. With the selection of the whistle command signal corresponding to the just spoken and recorded voice command, the digital voice command signal comprising the spoken name of the dog and the just spoken command, and the just selected whistle command signal also in digital form is cross-referenced with the corresponding digital voice command signal. The digital voice command signal and its cross-referenced digital whistle command signal along with a select signal indicative of the voice command signal and cross-referenced therewith is transmitted by the smart mobile phone 7 to thereceiving device 5. On receiving the digital voice command signal prefixed with the name of the dog and cross-referenced with the corresponding digital whistle command together with the corresponding select signal indicative of the voice command signal, the microcontroller 20 stores the digital voice command signal cross-referenced digital whistle command signals and with the select signal in the electronic memory 14.

[0133] This setup procedure is continued until all the voice forms of the voice command signals have been spoken into the smart mobile phone 7 and recorded therein and prefixed with the name of the dog, and the corresponding whistle command signals have been selected and cross-referenced with the corresponding voice command signals, and the digital voice command signals and the corresponding digital whistle command signals have been cross-referenced with the corresponding select signals indicative of the digital voice command signals, and transmitted to the receiving device 5, and have been stored in the electronic memory 14 by the microcontroller 20. Although, in some embodiments of the invention the name of the dog may be stored only once in the electronic memory 14 of the receiving device 5, and on a voice command signal being selected, the name of the dog would also be selected and prefixed with the selected voice command signal. Thereafter, the application of the selected voice command prefixed with the name of the dog and the corresponding whistle command signal would be applied to the sounder 16 through the digital to analogue converter 17.

[0134] In order to guard against the possibility of the dog 3 going out of range of the smart mobile phone 7, while the smart mobile phone 7 is operating under the control of the app in the run mode, the smart mobile phone at predefined time periods, of approximately two to three seconds or continuously, transmits a continuity signal in the Bluetooth protocol for reception by the receiving device 5. For so long as the receiving device 5 receives the continuity signal indicating that the receiving device 5 is within the range of the smart mobile phone 7, the microcontroller 20 operates the receiving device 5 in the normal operating run mode. However, in the absence of receiving the continuity signal for more than three to five consecutive predefined time periods, or 5 seconds to 30 seconds if the continuity signal is a continuous signal, the microcontroller 20 is programmed to operate in a default mode, and to continue to operate in the default mode until the continuity signal is again received by the receiving device 5.

[0135] In the default mode, the signal processor 20 is programmed to select the voice command signal from the electronic memory 14 commanding the dog to “come” and to apply the voice command signal commanding the dog to “come” along with the corresponding whistle command signal sequentially to thesounder 16 through the digital to analogue converter 17 with the predefined pause time period between the voice command signal and the whistle command signal. The microcontroller 20 is programmed to operate the sounder to produce the voice form of the voice command signal for the command “come”, and the whistle form of the corresponding whistle command signal continuously at the predefined time intervals until the dog is back within the range of the smart mobile phone 7.

[0136] Thereafter, the electronic communication system 1 is ready for use.

[0137] The housing 9 of the receiving device 5 is secured by the strap 10 to the neck 6 of the dog 3 and with the receiving device 5 powered on by the battery 22, the receiving device 5 is ready for use.

[0138] With the dog unleashed, the dog is free to roam under the control of the owner in, for example, a park and to fetch a stick or a ball thrown by the owner or participate in other such activities. When it is desired to call the dog back, the app on the smart mobile phone 7 is selected and the six commands are displayed on the touch screen 30 of the smart mobile phone 7. The owner selects the command “come” displayed on the touch screen 30, and the smart mobile phone 7 transmits by Bluetooth protocol the select signal indicative of the voice command signal “come”. On the microcontroller 20 reading the select signal indicative of the voice command signal “come” from the wireless receiver 18, the microcontroller 20 selects the digital voice command signal for the command “come” and the corresponding digital whistle command signal from the electronic memory 14 and sequentially applies the selected digital voice command signal for the command "come” and the corresponding digital whistle command signal to the sounder 16 through the digital to analogue converter 17. The sounder 16 then sequentially produces the voice form which includes the name of the dog and the word “come” as well as the whistle form of the whistle command signal corresponding to the voice command signal “come” three times at the predefined time intervals. The dog having been trained then returns to the owner.

[0139] Similarly, if the owner wishes the dog to stay in the location in which it is currently at, the dog owner selects the word command “stay” from the touchscreen 30 and the smart mobile phone 7 transmits the select signal indicative of the voice command signal “stay". On the microcontroller 20 reading the select signal indicative of the voice command signal “stay” from the wireless receiver 18, the microcontroller 20 selects the digital voice command signal for the command “stay” and selects the corresponding cross-referenced digital whistle command signal from the electronic memory 14. The microcontroller 20 then sequentially applies the selected voice command signal for the command “stay” and the correspondinglyselected whistle command signal to the sounder 16 through the digital to analogue converter 17. The microcontroller 20 then operates the sounder 16 to produce the voice command to include the name of the dog and the word “stay" followed by the corresponding whistle sound three times at the predefined time intervals, and so operation of the electronic communicating system 1 is carried out for the other command signals.

[0140] The electronic communicating system 1 is also operable in a training mode whereby when the training mode of the app on the smart mobile phone 7 is selected, training instructions for training a dog to carry out each of the six commands of the voice command signals are displayed on the touchscreen 30, see Fig. 7. The training mode is selected by touching the area 33 of the touchscreen 30 of the smart mobile phone 7 identified as training library. On selecting the training library, the six commands of the voice command signals to which the dog may be trained to comply with are set forth on the touchscreen 30 of the smart mobile phone 7 in marked-off areas 34 as illustrated in Fig. 9. The command to which the owner wishes to train the dog to comply with is selected by touching the appropriate marked-off area 34 of the touchscreen corresponding to the command to which the dog is to be trained. On selecting the command to which the dog is to be trained, written instructions in text format are displayed setting out the steps to be carried out in training the dog to comply with the selected command. Fig. 10 illustrates a screen 30 of the smart mobile phone 7 illustrating the written training instructions for training a dog to “sit”. In this case, two steps are required to train the dog to “sit”, which are set forth on the screen 30 of the smart mobile phone 7. Screens displaying written instructions in step form in text are provided for each of the six commands, and the relevant screen is displayed corresponding to the selected command.

[0141] In some embodiments of the invention the training instructions, instead of being displayed on the screen 30 of the smart mobile phone 7 in written form, the training instructions for each or at least some of the commands of the voice command signals may be displayed on the screen 30 of the smart mobile phone 7 as training videos with spoken voice instructions. In other embodiments of the invention, instead of written instructions in step form being displayed on the screen 30 of the smart mobile phone 7, spoken instructions may be delivered through the smart mobile phone 7 describing the steps to be carried out to train the dog to comply with the six commands of the voice command signals.

[0142] As well as the training instructions for each of the commands of the voice command signals being displayed on the screen 30 of the smart mobile phone 7, a button, in this case a “clicker” button 35, is displayed on the touchscreen 30. On touching the clicker button 35 the smart mobile phone under thecontrol of the app transmits a clicker signal to the receiving device 5. On the microcontroller 20 of the receiving device 5 reading the clicker signal from the wireless receiver 18, the microcontroller 20 retrieves a pre-stored digital clicker signal from the electronic memory 14 and applies the digital clicker signal to the sounder 16 through the digital to analogue converter 17. The microcontroller 20 operates the sounder to produce an audible clicking sound. The clicking sound is provided to indicate to the dog that it has successfully complied with the command, and that a treat will follow as a reward for complying with the command. The dog after a few occurrences of complying with a command and hearing the audible clicking sound will quickly realise that it has complied with the command and that a treat is to follow, thereby encouraging the dog to comply quickly with the command the next time.

[0143] In each screen, the time or days to be spent in training the dog to carry out the relevant commands is displayed on the screen 30 as well as the duration over which the training should take place.

[0144] Additionally, the smart mobile phone 7 when operating under the control of the app in the training mode is programmed to record the time spent by the dog owner in training the dog to comply with each of the commands, so that a log of the time spent training the dog to carry out each of the commands is logged in the smart mobile phone 7, which may be subsequently used to confirm that the dog has been adequately trained.

[0145] When the smart mobile phone is being operated under the control of the App in the training mode, each time each command is issued to the dog, that command is counted. The smart mobile phone 7 when operating under the control of the App in the training mode is programmed to record and store the number of times each command is issued to the dog. A log is then stored in the smart mobile phone 7 containing the number of times each command had been issued to the dog in the training mode. Therefore, by comparing the number of times the respective commands had to be issued to the dog while the smart mobile phone 7 had been operating in the training mode until the dog was proficient in complying with the respective commands with a corresponding average number of the corresponding commands which typically would be required to train a dog of a corresponding breed to be proficient in carrying out the respective commands, an owner can then determine if the number of times the respective commands had to be issued are above or below the average for a dog of such a breed, the owner of the dog can then determine if the dog is of average intelligence, above or below average intelligence.

[0146] The communicating system is suitable for use with a number of dogs, and for each dog the name of thedog is entered in the voice of the owner or owners as already described, and the six commands for the dog are similarly entered in the voice of the owner or owners of the dogs as described above.

[0147] Accordingly, when using the communicating system where it has been set up for use with a number of dogs, when operating the communicating system in the run mode or in the training mode, the dog owner selects the name of the dog with which the communicating system is to be used from a menu of the dogs by name, which is displayed on the screen 30 of the smart mobile phone prior to operating the smart mobile phone 7 in the relevant one of the run or training modes.

[0148] The use and operation of the communicating system 1 for presenting the audible form of the voice commands from the voice command signals and for presenting the audible form of the whistle commands from the whistle command signals to the dog when the communicating system 1 is operating in the training mode is similar to that described when the communicating system 1 is operating in the run mode.

[0149] Referring now to Figs. 11 and 12 there is illustrated a receiving device according to another embodiment of the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 40. The receiving device 40 is substantially similar to the receiving device 5 of the communicating system 1 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The receiving device 40 comprises a signal processor, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a microcontroller 41 similar to the microcontroller 20 of the receiving device 5. The microcontroller 41 is programmed in a similar manner as the microcontroller 20 of the receiving device 5 is programmed and is programmed to operate under the control of the smart mobile phone 7 when the smart mobile phone 7 is programmed by the app. Accordingly, the microcontroller 41 of the receiving device 40 is programmed when operating in the run and training modes thereof to receive the select signals from the smart mobile phone 7 when operating under the control of the app. On receiving one of the select signals, the microcontroller 41 of the receiving device 40 in the run mode thereof is programmed to select the name of the dog, the digital word command signal and the corresponding digital whistle command signal from the electronic memory 14 and then to apply the selected word command signal to the sounder 16 in order to produce the corresponding audible voice and whistle commands to the dog 3 to which the receiving device 40 is attached. The microcontroller 41 of the receiving device 40 is also programmed as described with reference to the receiving device 5 for training the dog to which it is attached.

[0150] However, in addition, the microcontroller 41 of the receiving device 40 is also programmed to geolocate the position of the dog 3 by triangulation. In this embodiment of the invention the receiving device 40 isprogrammed to receive signals produced by three spaced apart wireless signal transmitting geolocation transmitters 44 to determine the location of the dog 3 relative to the transmitters 44. Typically, the geolocation transmitters 44 are placed at spaced apart intervals around a boundary 45 of a defined area 47 within which the dog 3 is to be contained. Such a defined area 47 may, for example, be a rear garden of a house of the dog owner, or a front garden of a house of the dog owner. The geolocation transmitters 44 are adapted to wirelessly transmit signals containing the identities of the respective geolocation transmitters 44, so that by identifying the signals transmitted by the respective geolocation transmitters 44 and the directions from which they are received by the receiving device 40, the microcontroller 41 of the receiving device 40 determines the location of the receiving device 40 by triangulation, and in turn the location of the dog 3 relative to the defined area 47.

[0151] In this embodiment of the invention, instead of comprising the wireless receiver 18 of the receiving device 5, the receiving device 40 comprises a wireless receiver 49 which is adapted to determine the identities of the signals received from the three geolocation transmitters 44 and the directions from which the wireless signals transmitted by the three transmitters 44 are received by the wireless receiver 49. The wireless receiver 49 on receiving the signals from the three transmitters 44 produces corresponding signals indicative of the identities of the signals and the directions from which the three wireless signals are received for reading by the microcontroller 41. The microcontroller 41 reads the signals produced by the wireless receiver 49 indicative of the identities of the signals and the directions from which the signals transmitted by the three geolocation transmitters 44 are received by the wireless receiver 49, and the microcontroller 41 is programmed to compute the actual position of the receiving device 40, and in turn the position of the dog 3 relative to the defined area 47.

[0152] Additionally, the microcontroller 41 is programmed so that when the dog 3 is detected crossing the boundary 45 of the defined area 47 or is determined as being outside the predefined area 47, the microcontroller 41 selects the name of the dog, the digital voice command signal commanding the dog to “come” and the corresponding whistle command signal from the memory 14. The microcontroller 41 then sequentially applies the selected voice command signal commanding the dog to “come” and the corresponding selected whistle command signal to the sounder 16. The microcontroller 41 is programmed to operate the sounder 16 to sequentially produce the voice command signal for the command “come” as an audible voice command, including the name of the dog 3 and the word “come”, and the audible whistle corresponding to the whistle command signal at the predefined time intervals. In this embodiment of the invention the microcontroller 41 operates the sounder 16 to continue sequentiallyproducing the audible voice form of the command "come” and the corresponding audible whistle form of the command at the predefined time intervals until the dog 3 is back in the defined area 47 within the boundary 45.

[0153] Each geolocation transmitter 44 comprises a wireless transmitter (not shown) which is configured to transmit the signal identifying the transmitter 44. The wireless signal may be any suitable wireless signal and in any suitable form, such as a radio frequency signal, a Bluetooth signal, a Wi-Fi signal or a signal in any other protocol suitable for reception by the wireless receiver 49. It will also be appreciated that the wireless receiver 49 is also adapted to receive the select signals from the smart mobile phone 7 as already described with reference to the embodiment of the communicating system described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10.

[0154] In use, operation of the receiving device 40 when operating in the setup mode, the run mode and the training mode under the control of the app in the smart mobile phone 7 for producing the audible word and whistle commands to the dog in response to the select signals produced by the smart mobile phone 7, is similar to the operation of the communicating system 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10. In order to operate the receiving device 40 to geolocate the dog 3 within the predefined area 47, the smart mobile phone 7 operating under the control of the app is operated to produce a geolocation select signal for reception by the wireless receiver 49 which is read by the microcontroller 41. On the microcontroller 41 detecting the geolocation select signal, the microcontroller 41 is programmed to operate in the geolocating mode and to read the signals produced by the wireless receiver 44 indicative of the identities and directions from which the signals are received from the respective geolocation transmitters 44. The microcontroller 41 is then programmed to determine the location of the dog 3 relative to the defined area 47. The microcontroller 41 of the receiving device 40 continues to operate in the geolocating mode until a terminate signal is received from the smart mobile phone 7 by the wireless receiver 49 indicating that the microcontroller 41 of the receiving device 40 is to terminate operating in the geolocating mode.

[0155] While the microcontroller 41 of the receiving device 40 is operating in the geolocating mode, on the dog 3 being detected crossing the boundary 45 of the defined area 47 or being detected outside the boundary 45 of the defined area 47, the microcontroller 41 selects the name of the dog, the voice command signal for the command “come” and the corresponding whistle command signal from the electronic memory 14 and applies the selected voice command signal and the whistle command signal to the sounder 16 through the digital to analogue converter 17 to sequentially produce the audible word command “come” along with thename of the dog and the corresponding audible whistle command at the predefined time intervals until the dog 3 has returned to the defined area 47 within the boundary 45, and so operation of the receiving device 40 continues until the termination signal is received by the wireless receiver 49 from the smart mobile phone 7 thereby terminating operation of the microcontroller 41, and in turn the receiving device 40, in the geolocating mode.

[0156] In order to activate the smart mobile phone to produce the geolocation select signal, a virtual button (not shown) is provided on the screen of the smart mobile phone which by touching operates the smart mobile phone to produce the geolocating select signal, and on touching the virtual button a second time, operates the smart mobile phone to produce the termination signal to terminate operation of the receiving device 40 in the geolocating mode.

[0157] While the receiving device 40 has been described as geolocating the location of the receiving device 40 and in turn the dog 3 by triangulation from signals received from three spaced apart transmitters located adjacent and spaced apart around the boundary of the defined area within which the dog is to be contained, it is envisaged that in some embodiments of the invention the receiving device 40 may be adapted to geolocate the position of the dog relative to the defined area by triangulation from signals received from other transmitters, for example, three mobile phone transmitters on respective mobile phone masts. In which case, the receiver 18 would be adapted to receiving the signals from the mobile phone masts, and to produce signals indicative of the identities of the received signals and the direction in which the three signals were received from the respective mobile phone mast.

[0158] In other embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that the receiving device 40 may be provided with a sim card for determining the location of the dog relative to the defined area from the signals received from three mobile phone masts.

[0159] It will be appreciated that while the training system has been described as applying both of the voice and the whistle command signals to the sounder of the receiving device each time the selected voice and whistle command signals are to be applied to the sounder, the microcontroller of the receiving device may be programmed to apply only the corresponding one of the voice or the whistle command signals to the sounder. The form of the command signal to be applied to the sounder would be selected by selecting the form of the command signal from a menu of the two forms of the command signal which would be displayed on the display screen when the smart mobile phone and the microcontroller of the receivingdevice are operating in the run mode.

[0160] It is envisaged that in some embodiments of the invention the smart mobile device may be programmed under the app when displaying the instructions for training the dog to carry out the six commands, the training instructions may as well as being provided in text form, or instead of being provided in text form, may be provided in visual graphic form, for example, as videos, such as for example animated videos.

[0161] It is also envisaged that the smart mobile phone may also be programmed under the app to set or enable the dog owner to set times each day or as appropriate at which the various training sessions of the dog should take place, and in which case, the smart mobile phone would be programmed to produce alert signals, for example, in visual or audible form or in both visual and audible form alerting the dog owner when the time arrives to carry out the training session. The smart mobile device may also be programmed to issue visual and / or audible alerts to the dog owner advising of the time to terminate each training session.

[0162] While the receiving device 5 has been described as comprising a housing 9 and an outer shell, and the housing has been described as being a watertight housing, while this is desirable, it may not in all cases be essential.

[0163] While six voice command signals have been described as being stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device, any number of voice command signals and whistle command signals greater than or less than six commands may be stored. Needless to say, in general, the number of different whistle command signals will correspond with the number of voice command signals stored in the electronic memory.

[0164] It is envisaged that in some embodiments of the invention instead of the microcontroller of the receiving device applying both the voice and whistle command signals to the sounder to produce both the audible word commands and the audible whistle commands, it is envisaged that in some embodiments of the invention only the whistle command signals may be applied to the sounder, or only the voice command signals may be applied to the sounder, although, in general, it is envisaged that both the voice command signals and the corresponding whistle command signals will be applied sequentially to the sounder. While the sequence in which the voice command and the whistle command have been described as being produced by the sounder with the voice command before the whistle command, in some embodiments ofPCT / IE2026 / 000001

[0165] 29

[0166] the invention it is envisaged that the whistle command may be produced by the sounder first, followed by the voice command.

[0167] While the app stored in the smart mobile phone has been described as comprising the training feature for training the dog, while this is desirable, it is envisaged that in some embodiments of the invention that the training feature may be omitted from the app in the smart mobile phone.

[0168] While the whistle command signals have been described as being selectable for the respective whistle command signals, in some embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that the whistle command signals may not be selectable, and each whistle command would be pre-assigned to a specific voice command signal.

[0169] It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments of the invention the voice commands may also be prestored in the electronic memory of the receiving device, and in which case, only the name of the dog would be entered into the smart mobile device by recording the voice of the dog owner or handler speaking the name of the dog into the smart mobile device when operating in the setup mode.

[0170] It will be appreciated that while the smart mobile device has been described as comprising a smart mobile phone, any other suitable smart mobile device may be used instead of a smart mobile phone.

[0171] It is also envisaged that in some embodiments of the invention only whistle command signals would be stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device, or alternatively, only voice signal commands would be stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device, in which case, if only whistle command signals were stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device, the dog would only be presented with audible whistle commands, or if only voice command signals were stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device, the dog would only be presented with audible word commands.

Claims

Claims1. A communicating system for communicating with an animal and in particular a dog, the communicating system comprisinga receiving device, the receiving device comprisinga housing adapted for attaching to the dog,an electronic memory located in the housing storing a plurality of selectable command signals in electronic form adapted for reproduction as audible word commands recorded in the voice of the owner or handler of the dog and / or adapted for reproducing as audible whistle commands,a sounder located in the housing adapted to reproduce the command signals in the audible form, a wireless receiver located in the housing adapted to receive respective remotely transmitted wireless select signals from a smart mobile device operating in a run mode, each select signal corresponding to one of the selectable command signals stored in the electronic memory, anda signal processor located in the housing, the signal processor being programmed to be responsive to each select signal received by the wireless receiver from the smart mobile device operating in the run modeto select the command signal from the electronic memory corresponding to the select signal, to apply the selected command signal to the sounder for reproduction in the audible word form and / or the audible whistle form, andto operate the sounder to reproduce the command signal as an audible signal in the word form and / or the whistle form.

2. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 1 in which the command signals reproduceable as audible voice word commands are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device as voice command signals, and the command signals reproduceable as audible whistle commands are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device as whistle command signals.

3. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 2 in which the whistle command signals are cross-referenced with corresponding ones of the voice command signals in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

4. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 3 in which the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to permit selective cross-referencing of the voice command signals with respective selected ones of the whistle command signals.

5. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the whistle command signals are prestored in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

6. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the signal processor is programmed to be responsive to each select signal received from the smart mobile device to select the corresponding voice command signal from the electronic memory, and to select the corresponding whistle command signal from the electronic memory, and to apply the respective selected voice command signal and corresponding whistle command signal sequentially to the sounder.

7. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the signal processor is programmed to apply the selected voice command signal to the sounder before the corresponding whistle command signal is applied to the sounder.

8. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6 in which the whistle command signal is applied to the sounder prior to applying the voice command signal to the sounder.

9. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 8 in which the signal processor is programmed to time a predefined pause time period of a first predefined time duration between the sequential application of the respective selected voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder.

10. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 9 in which the first predefined time duration of the predefined pause time period lies in the range of one second to six seconds.

11. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 9 or 10 in which the first predefined time duration of the predefined pause time period is selectable.

12. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 11 in which the signal processor is programmed to repeat the sequential application of the selected voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder at least once at a predefined time interval.

13. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 12 in which the signal processor is programmed torepeat the sequential application of the selected voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder at least three times at the predefined time intervals.

14. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 2 or 13 in which each predefined time interval is of a second predefined time duration in the range of ten seconds to thirty seconds.

15. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 14 in which the second predefined time duration of each predefined time interval is selectable.

16. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 15 in which the signal processor is programmed to reduce the second predefined time duration of each predefined time interval between each subsequent repetition of the sequential application of the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder after the first repetition of the sequential application of the voice commands signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder by the signal processor.

17. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which each voice command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in a form to be reproduceable as an audible voice command.

18. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which each voice command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in digital form.

19. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which each whistle command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in a form to be reproduceable as an audible whistle command.

20. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which each whistle command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in digital form.

21. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the electronic communicating system comprises the smart mobile device.

22. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 21 in which the smart mobile device is adapted to store the select signals in electronic form, and to display the select signals for selection.

23. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 21 or 22 in which the select signals are visually displayed for selection.

24. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 23 in which the words of the voice command signals with which the respective select signals correspond are displayed in a form in which the select signals are selectable,25. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 24 in which the smart mobile device comprises a display screen for displaying the select signals for selection thereon.

26. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 25 in which the display screen of the smart mobile device comprises a touch screen adapted to enable selection of the displayed select signals by touching the touchscreen.

27. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 26 in which the smart mobile device operating in the run mode is adapted to wirelessly transmit the selected ones of the select signals for reception by the wireless receiver of the receiving device.

28. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 27 in which the smart mobile device comprises a smart mobile phone.

29. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 28 in which the smart mobile phone is programmed by an app configured to enable storing of the select signals in the smart mobile phone and to transmit the select signals wirelessly to the receiving device on selection thereof,30. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 28 or 29 in which the smart mobile phone is programmed by the app to transmit each of the select signals in a Bluetooth protocol, and preferably, the Bluetooth protocol has a transmission range in the range of 100 metres to 700 metres, and preferably, a range of 100 metres to 200 metres.

31. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 30 in which the smart mobile phone is operable under the control of the app in a setup mode, and in the setup mode is adapted to transmit a signal to operate the receiving device in a setup mode, and the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to operate in the setup mode in response to the setup signal being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device to operate under the control of the app in the smart mobile phone.

32. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 31 in which the whistle command signals are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device when operating in the setup mode under the control of the smart mobile phone when operating in the setup mode, and preferably, the whistle command signals are selectable from a menu thereof, and are uploadable into the electronic memory of the receiving device through the smart mobile phone when the smart mobile phone and the receiving device are operating in the setup mode under the control of the app.

33. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 32 in which the voice command signals are cross-referenced with corresponding selected ones of the whistle command signals and are stored in and cross-referenced with the corresponding selected ones of the whistle command signals in the electronic memory of the receiving device when the smart mobile phone and the signal processor of the receiving device are operating in the setup mode, so that when the receiving device is operating in run mode, on a voice command signal being selected from the electronic memory of the receiving device by the signal processor in response to a corresponding select signal, the corresponding whistle command signal is also selected by the signal processor.

34. A communicating system as claimed in any of claims 31 to 33 in which the smart mobile phone operating under the control of the app in the setup mode is adapted to enable the spoken word or words of each voice command signal to be recorded in the smart mobile phone and converted to the corresponding voice command signal, and the corresponding converted voice command signal is transmitted to the wireless receiver of the receiving device and stored by the signal processor of the receiving device operating in the setup mode in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

35. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 34 in which each voice command signal on being recorded in the smart mobile phone operating under the app in the setup mode is transmitted to the receiving device for storing by the signal processor in the electronic memory thereof.

36. A communicating system as claimed in any of claims 31 to 35 in which the smart mobile phone operating under the control of the app in the setup mode is adapted to enable the spoken name of the dog to be recorded in the smart mobile phone and converted to a signal in digital or other form reproduceable in voice form, and to be transmitted to the wireless receiver of the receiving device and to be stored by the signal processor of the receiving device operating in the setup mode in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

37. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 36 in which the signal processor is programmed when operating in the run mode to combine the signal reproduceable in voice form containing the name of the dog with each one of the voice command signals prior to the selected voice command signal being applied to the sounder, so that when the combined signal reproduceable as the name of the dog in voice form and the selected voice command signal are applied to the sounder, the name of the dog in voice form and the command in voice form are sequentially reproduced by the sounder of the receiving device.

38. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which one of the voice command signals comprises the word "come’’ so that when the voice command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word “come” commanding the dog to return to its owner or handler.

39. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which one of the voice command signals comprises the word “sit”, so that when that voice command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word “sit” commanding the dog to sit.

40. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which one of the voice command signals comprises the word “stay” so that when that voice command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word “stay”, commanding the dog to stay in the location at which it is currently.

41. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which one of the voice command signals comprises the term “drop-it", so that when that command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the term “drop-it” commanding the dog to drop whatever it is holding, typically, in its mouth.

42. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which one of the voice command signals comprises the term “leave-it”, so that when that voice command is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the term “leave-it" commanding the dog to stop whatever it is currently doing.

43. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which one of the voice command signals comprises the word ''heel" so that when that voice command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word “heel" commanding the dog to walk at the owner’s heel.

44. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the signal processor is responsive to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to operate the receiving device in a default mode.

45. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 44 in which in the default mode of the receiving device, the signal processor is programmed to apply at least one of the voice command signals or the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder, wherein the voice command signal is indicative of a voice command commanding the dog to return to the owner or handler thereof, and to operate the sounder to reproduce the audible word form of the voice command signal or to produce the audible whistle form of the corresponding whistle command signal at least once.

46. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 45 in which the signal processor is operable in the default mode in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to apply both the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder.

47. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 45 or 46 in which the signal processor is operable in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to continuously apply one or both of the voice command signal or the corresponding whistle command signal continuously to the sounder until the wireless receiver of the receiving device again comes within the range of the smart mobile device.

48. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 45 to 47 in which the signal processor isoperable in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to continuously and sequentially apply both the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder until the wireless receiver of the receiving device again comes within the range of the smart mobile device.

49. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 44 to 48 in which the signal processor is operable in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to sequentially apply both the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal continuously to the sounder at the predefined time intervals until the wireless receiver of the receiving device again comes within the range of the smart mobile device.

50. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 44 to 49 in which the voice command signal that the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to apply to the sounder in the default mode is the voice command signal comprising the word “come".

51. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the smart mobile device is programmed to transmit a continuity signal at predefined time periods each of a third predefined time duration or continuously for reception by the wireless receiver of the receiving device, and the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to read the continuity signal from the wireless receiver, and in the absence of the continuity signal being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device, the signal processor is programmed to determine that the receiving device is out of range of the smart mobile device.

52. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 51 in which each third predefined time duration lies in the range of two seconds to five seconds, and preferably, in the range of two seconds to three seconds.

53. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 52 in which the signal processor is programmed to operate the receiving device in the default mode in the absence of the continuity signal being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device during five consecutive predefined time periods or for a continuous period of up to thirty seconds if the continuity signal is being continuously transmitted by the smart mobile device, and preferably, during a continuous period in the range of five seconds to thirty seconds if the continuity signal is being continuously transmitted by the smart mobile device.

54. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the smart mobile device is programmed under the app to store instructions for teaching a dog owner or a dog handler how to train a dog.

55. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 54 in which the smart mobile phone under the control of the app is programmed to present the instructions in a sequential manner for teaching a dog owner or handler to train the dog.

56. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 54 or 55 in which the smart mobile device is adapted to present the instructions for training the dog in a visual form.

57. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 54 to 56 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in visual form on a screen of the smart mobile device.

58. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 54 to 57 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in video form on the screen of the smart mobile device.

59. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 54 to 58 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in voice form.

60. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 54 to 59 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in a combination of video form and voice form.

61. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 54 to 60 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in a step by step form.

62. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 54 to 61 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in sets of instructions, one set of instructions being provided to teach the dog owner how to train the dog to carry out a corresponding one of the commands of the voice command signals.

63. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 54 to 62 in which the smart mobile device is adapted to time the time periods that the dog is being trained to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals and to accumulate the time periods during which the dog is being trained to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals and to store the accumulated times during which the dog is trained to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals.

64. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 54 to 63 in which the smart mobile device is programmed to count the number of times the dog is commanded to carry out each one of the commands of the voice command signals, and to accumulate the numbers of times the dog is commanded to carry out each one of the commands of the voice command signals.

65. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 64 in which the average number of times a dog of average intelligence of a breed similar to the dog being trained had to be commanded to carry out the command of at least one of the voice command signals until the average dog was trained to a state to be proficient in carrying out that command is stored in the smart mobile phone to enable the dog owner or handler to compare the number of times the dog being trained had to be commanded to carry out that command until the dog was proficient in carrying out that command with the corresponding number of commands for the average dog to be proficient in carrying out that command to enable a dog owner to assess the intelligence or lack thereof of the dog relative to the average dog.

66. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 65 in which the average number of times a dog of average intelligence of a breed similar to the dog being trained had to be commanded to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals until the average dog was trained to a state to be proficient in carrying out each of the commands are stored in the smart mobile phone.

67. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the receiving device is adapted to operate in a geolocating mode for determining the location of a dog or other animal.

68. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 67 in which the receiving device is adapted to operate in the geolocating mode for determining the location of the dog or other animal relative to a defined area.

69. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 68 in which the defined area is defined by a real or an imaginary boundary.

70. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 69 in which the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed in response to the dog or other animal being detected as crossing the boundary from the predefined area or being outside the predefined area for applying the voice command signal commanding the dog to return to the owner or handler to the sounder and operating the sounder to reproduce the voice command commanding the dog or other animal to return to its owner or handler.

71. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 70 in which the signal processor is programmed to continuously apply the voice command signal to the sounder until the dog or other animal has returned to the predefined area.

72. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 70 or 71 in which the signal processor is programmed to apply both the voice command signal commanding the dog or other animal to return to its owner or handler to the sounder and to apply the corresponding whistle command signal at the predefined intervals to the sounder in response to the dog or other animal being detected crossing the boundary from the predefined area or being outside the predefined area until the dog or other animal returns to the predefined area.

73. A communicating device as claimed in any of Claims 70 to 72 in which the voice command signal commanding the dog or other animal to return to its owner or handler to which the signal processor is to apply to the sounder is the voice command signal comprising the word “come”.

74. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 67 to 73 in which the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed in the geolocation mode to read signals from three wireless signal geolocation transmitters at three spaced apart locations and to determine the direction from which the respective three wireless signals are received by the receiving device and by triangulation based on the angles at which the transmitted signals from the three geolocation transmitters are received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device to determine the location of the dog or other animal.

75. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 74 in which the three geolocation transmitters are located at spaced apart intervals around the boundary of the predefined area.

76. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 74 or 75 in which the locations of the respective three geolocation transmitters relative to the predefined area are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

77. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 74 to 76 in which the signals transmitted by the three geolocation transmitters are selected from one of the following, Bluetooth protocol, Wi-Fi protocol, radio signals or signals produced in any other standard protocol,78. A communicating system as claimed any of Claims 74 to 77 in which each of the three geolocation transmitters produce a signal containing the identity of that geolocation transmitter.

79. A communicating system as claimed in any preceding claim in which a clicker signal is prestored in the electronic memory of the receiving device, and the signal processor is responsive to the wireless receiver of the receiving device receiving a clicker select signal from the smart mobile device for applying the clicker signal to the sounder to produce a clicker sound to indicate to the dog that it successfully carried out a command.

80. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 79 in which an input means is provided for operating the smart mobile device to transmit the clicker select signal for reception by the wireless receiver of the receiving device.

81. A communicating system as claimed in any of claims in which the input means for operating the smart mobile device to transmit the clicker select signal to the receiving device comprises a virtual button displayed on the touchscreen of the smart mobile device.

82. A communicating system for communicating with an animal and in particular a dog, the communicating system comprising a receiving device, the receiving device comprising a housing adapted for attaching to the dog, an electronic memory located in the housing storing at least one command signal in electronic form adapted for reproduction as an audible command commanding the dog to return to the owner, a sounder located in the housing adapted to reproduce the command signal in an audible form, a wireless receiver located in the housing adapted to receive a continuity signal from a smart mobile device, and a signal processor located in the housing and programmed to read the continuity signal from thewireless receiver, the signal processor being responsive to the absence of the continuity signal being received by the wireless receiver to operate the receiving device in a default mode.

83. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 82 in which in the default mode of the receiving device the signal processor is programmed to apply the at least one command signal adapted for reproduction as an audible command commanding the dog to return to the owner to the sounder, and to operate the sounder to reproduce the audible command commanding the dog to return to the owner.

84. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 82 or 83 in which the at least one command signal adapted for reproduction as an audible command commanding the dog to return to the owner comprises one or both of a voice command signal and a whistle command signal.

85. A communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 82 to 84 in which in the default mode of the receiving device the signal processor is programmed to continuously apply the at least one command signal adapted for reproduction as an audible command commanding the dog to return to the owner at predefined time intervals until the signal processor determines that the continuity signal is again being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device.

86. A communicating device as claimed in any of Claims 82 to 85 in which the smart mobile device is programmed to transmit the continuity signal at predefined time intervals, each of a predefined time duration or continuously for reception by the wireless receiver of the receiving device.

87. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 86 in which each predefined time duration lies in the range of two seconds to five seconds, and preferably, in the range of two seconds to three seconds,88. A communicating system as claimed in Claim 86 or 87 in which the signal processor is programmed to operate the receiving device in the default mode in the absence of the continuity signal being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device during five consecutive predefined time periods or for a continuous period of up to thirty seconds if the continuity signal is being continuously transmitted by the smart mobile device, and preferably, during a continuous period in the range of five seconds to thirty seconds if the continuity signal is being continuously transmitted by the smart mobile device.

89. A method for communicating with an animal, and in particular with a dog, the method comprising providing a communicating system comprisinga receiving device, the receiving device comprisinga housing adapted for attaching to the dog,an electronic memory located in the housing storing a plurality of selectable command signals in electronic form adapted for reproduction as audible word commands recorded in the voice of the owner or handler of the dog and / or adapted for reproducing as audible whistle commands,a sounder located in the housing adapted to reproduce the command signals in the audible form, a wireless receiver located in the housing adapted to receive respective remotely transmitted wireless select signals from a smart mobile device operating in a run mode, each select signal corresponding to one of the selectable command signals stored in the electronic memory, anda signal processor located in the housing, the method comprising programming the signal processor to be responsive to each select signal received by the wireless receiver from the smart mobile device operating in the run modeto select the command signal from the electronic memory corresponding to the select signal, to apply the selected command signal to the sounder for reproduction in the audible word form and / or the audible whistle form, andto operate the sounder to reproduce the command signal as an audible signal in the word form and / or the whistle form.

90. A method as claimed in Claim 89 in which the command signals reproduceable as audible voice word commands are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device as voice command signals, and the command signals reproduceable as audible whistle commands are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device as whistle command signals.

91. A method as claimed in Claim 90 in which the whistle command signals are cross-referenced with corresponding ones of the voice command signals in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

92. A method as claimed in Claim 91 in which the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to permit selective cross-referencing of the voice command signals with respective selected ones of the whistle command signals.

93. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 92 in which the whistle command signals areprestored in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

94. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 93 in which the signal processor is programmed to be responsive to each select signal received from the smart mobile device to select the corresponding voice command signal from the electronic memory, and to select the corresponding whistle command signal from the electronic memory, and to apply the respective selected voice command signal and corresponding whistle command signal sequentially to the sounder.

95. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 94 in which the signal processor is programmed to apply the selected voice command signal to the sounder before the corresponding whistle command signal is applied to the sounder.

96. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 94 in which the whistle command signal is applied to the sounder prior to applying the voice command signal to the sounder.

97. A method as claimed in any of Claims 94 to 96 in which the signal processor is programmed to time a predefined pause time period of a first predefined time duration between the sequential application of the respective selected voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder.

98. A method as claimed in Claim 97 in which the first predefined time duration of the predefined pause time period lies in the range of one second to six seconds.

99. A method as claimed in Claim 97 or 98 in which the first predefined time duration of the predefined pause time period is selectable.

100. A method as claimed in any of Claims 94 to 99 in which the signal processor is programmed to repeat the sequential application of the selected voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder at least once at a predefined time interval.

101. A method as claimed in Claim 100 in which the signal processor is programmed to repeat the sequential application of the selected voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder at least three times at the predefined time intervals.

102. A method as claimed in Claim 100 or 101 in which each predefined time interval is of a second predefined time duration in the range of ten seconds to thirty seconds.

103. A method as claimed in any of Claims 100 to 102 in which the second predefined time duration of each predefined time interval is selectable.

104. A method as claimed in any of Claims 100 to 103 in which the signal processor is programmed to reduce the second predefined time duration of each predefined time interval between each subsequent repetition of the sequential application of the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder after the first repetition of the sequential application of the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder by the signal processor.

105. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 104 in which each voice command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in a form to be reproduceable as an audible voice command.

106. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 105 in which each voice command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in digital form.

107. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 106 in which each whistle command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in a form to be reproduceable as an audible whistle command.

108. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 107 in which each whistle command signal is stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device in digital form.

109. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 108 in which the electronic communicating system comprises the smart mobile device.

110. A method as claimed in Claim 109 in which the smart mobile device is adapted to store the select signals in electronic form, and to display the select signals for selection.

111. A method as claimed in Claim 109 or 110 in which the select signals are visually displayed for selection.

112. A method as claimed in any of Claims 109 to 111 in which the words of the voice command signals with which the respective select signals correspond are displayed in a form in which the select signals are selectable.

113. A method as claimed in any of Claims 109 to 112 in which the smart mobile device comprises a display screen for displaying the select signals for selection thereon.

114. A method as claimed in any of Claims 109 to 113 in which the display screen of the smart mobile device comprises a touch screen adapted to enable selection of the displayed select signals by touching the touchscreen.

115. A method as claimed in any of Claims 109 to 114 in which the smart mobile device operating in the run mode is adapted to wirelessly transmit the selected ones of the select signals for reception by the wireless receiver of the receiving device.

116. A method as claimed in any of Claims 109 to 115 in which the smart mobile device comprises a smart mobile phone.

117. A method as claimed in Claim 116 in which the smart mobile phone is programmed by an app configured to enable storing of the select signals in the smart mobile phone and to transmit the select signals wirelessly to the receiving device on selection thereof.

118. A method as claimed in any of Claims 109 to 117 in which the smart mobile phone is programmed by the app to transmit each of the select signals in a Bluetooth protocol, and preferably, the Bluetooth protocol has a transmission range in the range of 100 metres to 700 metres, and preferably, a range of 100 metres to 200 metres.

119. A method as claimed in any of Claims 109 to 118 in which the smart mobile phone operating under the control of the app in the setup mode is adapted to transmit a signal to operate the receiving device in the setup mode, and the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to operate inthe setup mode in response to the setup signal being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device to operate under the control of the app in the smart mobile phone.

120. A method as claimed in Claim 119 in which the whistle command signals are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device when operating in the setup mode under the control of the smart mobile phone when operating in the setup mode, and preferably, the whistle command signals are selectable from a menu thereof, and are uploadable into the electronic memory of the receiving device through the smart mobile phone when the smart mobile phone and the receiving device are operating in the setup mode under the control of the app.

121. A method as claimed in Claim 120 in which the voice command signals are cross-referenced with corresponding selected ones of the whistle command signals and are stored in and cross-referenced with the corresponding selected ones of the whistle command signals in the electronic memory of the receiving device when the smart mobile phone and the signal processor of the receiving device are operating in the set- up mode, so that when the receiving device is operating in run mode, on a voice command signal being selected from the electronic memory of the receiving device by the signal processor in response to a corresponding select signal, the corresponding whistle command signal is also selected by the signal processor.

122. A method as claimed in any of Claims 119 to 121 in which the smart mobile phone operating under the control of the app in the setup mode is adapted to enable the spoken word or words of each voice command signal to be recorded in the smart mobile phone and converted to the corresponding voice command signal, and the corresponding converted voice command signal is transmitted to the wireless receiver of the receiving device and stored by the signal processor of the receiving device operating in the setup mode in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

123. A method as claimed in Claim 122 in which each voice command signal on being recorded in the smart mobile phone operating under the app in the setup mode is transmitted to the receiving device for storing by the signal processor in the electronic memory thereof.

124. A method as claimed in any of Claims 119 to 123 in which the smart mobile phone operating under the control of the app in the setup mode is adapted to enable the spoken name of the dog to be recorded in the smart mobile phone and converted to a signal in digital or other form reproduceable invoice form, and to be transmitted to the wireless receiver of the receiving device and to be stored by the signal processor of the receiving device operating in the setup mode in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

125. A method as claimed in Claim 124 in which the signal processor is programmed when operating in the run mode to combine the signal reproduceable in voice form containing the name of the dog with each one of the voice command signals prior to the selected voice command signal being applied to the sounder, so that when the combined signal reproduceable as the name of the dog in voice form and the selected voice command signal are applied to the sounder, the name of the dog in voice form and the command in voice form are sequentially reproduced by the sounder of the receiving device.

126. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 125 in which one of the voice command signals comprises the word "come" so that when the voice command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word ‘'come” commanding the dog to return to its owner or handler.

127. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 126 in which one of the voice command signals comprises the word “sit”, so that when that voice command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word “sir commanding the dog to sit.

128. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 127 in which one of the voice command signals comprises the word “stay” so that when that voice command signa! is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word “stay", commanding the dog to stay in the location at which it is currently.

129. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 128 in which one of the voice command signal comprises the term “drop-it”, so that when that command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the term “drop-it” commanding the dog to drop whatever it is holding, typically, in its mouth.

130. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 129 in which one of the voice command signals comprises the term “leave-it”, so that when that voice command is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the term “leave-it” commanding the dog to stop whatever it is currentlydoing.

131. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 130 in which one of the voice command signals comprises the word “heel" so that when that voice command signal is applied to the sounder of the receiving device, the sounder reproduces the word “heel” commanding the dog to walk at the owner's heel.

132. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 131 in which the signal processor is responsive to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to operate the receiving device in a default mode.

133. A method as claimed in Claims 132 in which in the default mode of the receiving device, the signal processor is programmed to apply at least one of the voice command signals or the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder, wherein the voice command signal is indicative of a voice command commanding the dog to return to the owner or handler thereof, and to operate the sounder to produce the audible word form of the voice command signal or to produce the audible whistle form of the corresponding whistle command signal at least once.

134. A method as claimed in Claim 133 in which the signal processor is operable in the default mode in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to apply both the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder.

135. A method as claimed in Claims 133 or 134 in which the signal processor is operable in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to continuously apply one or both of the voice signal command or the corresponding whistle command signal continuously to the sounder until the wireless receiver of the receiving device again comes within the range of the smart mobile device.

136. A method as claimed in any of Claims 133 to 135 in which the signal processor is operable in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to continuously apply both the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal to the sounder until the wireless receiver of the receiving device again comes within the range of the smart mobile device.

137. A method as claimed in any of Claims 132 to 136 in which the signal processor is operable in response to the wireless receiver of the receiving device being out of range of the smart mobile device to sequentially apply both the voice command signal and the corresponding whistle command signal continuously to the sounder at the predefined time intervals until the wireless receiver of the receiving device comes within the range of the smart mobile device.

138. A method as claimed in any of Claims 132 to 137 in which the voice command signal that the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to apply to the sounder in the default mode is the voice command signal comprising the word “come”.

139. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 138 in which the smart mobile device is programmed to transmit a continuity signal at predefined time periods each of a third predefined time duration or continuously for reception by the wireless receiver of the receiving device, and the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed to read the continuity signal from the wireless receiver, and in the absence of the continuity signal being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device, the signal processor is programmed to determine that the receiving device is out of range of the smart mobile device.

140. A method as claimed in Claim139 in which each third predefined time duration lies in the range of two seconds to five seconds, and preferably, in the range of two seconds to three seconds.

141. A method as claimed in Claim 140 in which the signal processor is programmed to operate the receiving device in the default mode in the absence of the continuity signal being received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device during five consecutive predefined time periods or for a continuous period of up to thirty seconds if the continuity signal is being continuously transmitted by the smart mobile device, and preferably, during a continuous period in the range of five seconds to thirty seconds if the continuity signal is being continuously transmitted by the smart mobile device.

142. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 141 in which the smart mobile device is programmed under the app to store instructions for teaching a dog owner or a dog handler how to train a dog.

143. A method as claimed in Claim 142 in which the smart mobile phone under the control of the appis programmed to present the instructions in a sequential manner for teaching a dog owner or handler to train the dog.

144. A method as claimed in Claim 142 or 143 in which the smart mobile device is adapted to present the instructions for training the dog in a visual form.

145. A method as claimed in any of Claims 142 to 144 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in visual form on a screen of the smart mobile device.

146. A method as claimed in any of Claims 142 to 145 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in video form on the screen of the smart mobile device.

147. A method as claimed in any of Claims 142 to 146 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in voice form.

148. A method as claimed in any of Claims 142 to 147 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in a combination of video form and voice form.

149. A method as claimed in any of Claims 142 to 148 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in a step by step form.

150. A method as claimed in any of Claims 142 to 149 in which the instructions for teaching a dog owner or handler how to train a dog are presented in sets of instructions, one set of instructions being provided to teach the dog owner how to train the dog to carry out a corresponding one of the commands of the voice command signals.

151. A method as claimed in any of Claims 142 to 150 in which the smart mobile device is adapted to time the time periods that the dog is being trained to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals and to accumulate the time periods during which the dog is being trained to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals and to store the accumulated times during which the dog is trained to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals.

152. A method as claimed in any of Claims 142 to 151 in which the smart mobile device isprogrammed to count the number of times the dog is commanded to carry out each one of the commands of the voice command signals, and to accumulate the numbers of times the dog is commanded to carry out each one of the commands of the voice command signals.

153. A method as claimed in Claim 152 in which the average number of times a dog of average intelligence of a breed similar to the dog being trained had to be commanded to carry out the command of at least one of the voice command signals until the average dog was trained to a state to be proficient in carrying out that command is stored in the smart mobile phone to enable the dog owner or handler to compare the number of times the dog had to be commanded to carry out that command until the dog was proficient in carrying out that command with the corresponding number of commands for the average dog to enable a dog owner to assess the intelligence or lack thereof of the dog relative to the average dog.

154. A method as claimed in Claim 152 or 153 in which the average number of times a dog of average intelligence of a breed similar to the dog being trained had to be commanded to carry out each of the commands of the voice command signals until the average dog was trained to a state to be proficient in carrying out each of the commands are stored in the smart mobile phone.

155. A method as claimed in any of Claims 89 to 154 in which the receiving device is adapted to operate in a geolocating mode for determining the location of a dog or other animal.

156. A method as claimed in Claim 155 in which the receiving device is adapted to operate in the geolocating mode for determining the location of the dog or other animal relative to a defined area.

157. A method as claimed in Claim 156 in which the defined area is defined by a real or an imaginary boundary.

158. A method as claimed in Claim 157 in which the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed in response to the dog or other animal being detected as crossing the boundary from the predefined area or being outside the predefined area for applying the voice command signal commanding the dog to return to the owner or handler to the sounder and operating the sounder to reproduce the voice command commanding the dog or other animal to return to its owner or handler.

159. A method as claimed in Claim 158 in which the signal processor is programmed to continuouslyapply the voice command signal to the sounder until the dog or other animal has returned to the predefined area.

160. A method as claimed in Claim 158 or 159 in which the signal processor is programmed to apply both the voice command signal commanding the dog or other animal to return to its owner or handler to the sounder and to apply the corresponding whistle command signal at the predefined intervals to the sounder in response to the dog or other animal being detected crossing the boundary from the predefined area or being outside the predefined area until the dog or other animal returns to the predefined area.

161. A method as claimed in any of Claims 158 to 160 in which the voice command signal commanding the dog or other animal to return to its owner or handler to which the signal processor is to apply to the sounder is the voice command signal comprising the word “come”.

162. A method as claimed in any of Claims 155 to 161 in which the signal processor of the receiving device is programmed in the geolocation mode to read signals from three wireless signal geolocation transmitters at three spaced apart locations and to determine the direction from which the respective three wireless signals are received by the receiving device and by triangulation based on the angles at which the transmitted signals from the three geolocation transmitters are received by the wireless receiver of the receiving device to determine the location of the dog or other animal.

163. A method as claimed in Claim 162 in which the three geolocation transmitters are located at spaced apart intervals around the boundary of the predefined area.

164. A method as claimed in Claim 162 or 163 in which the locations of the respective three geolocation transmitters relative to the predefined area are stored in the electronic memory of the receiving device.

165. A method as claimed in any of Claims 162 to 164 in which the signals transmitted by the three geolocation transmitters are selected from one of the following, Bluetooth protocol, wi-fi protocol, radio signals or signals produced in any other standard protocol.

166. A method as claimed in any of Claims 162 to 165 in which each of the three geolocation transmitters produce a signal containing the identity of that geolocation transmitter.

167. A method for communicating with an animal, and in particular with a dog, the method comprising communicating with the dog through the communicating system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 81.

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