Wearable Animal Collar with Removable Charging Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pet identification methods, such as conventional tags and microchips, are limited in the information they can provide, prone to degradation, and often require cumbersome and costly maintenance, while existing tracking collars are cumbersome, difficult to use, and lack efficient data retrieval and storage solutions.

Innovation Solution

A wearable animal collar equipped with sensors, location tracking technology, a rechargeable power source, and a removable module for independent charging, allowing for real-time data transmission and storage of animal, environment, and system information without needing to be removed from the animal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional tags are used for pet identification, then the initial cost is low, but the tags are prone to degradation and wear, requiring frequent replacement which increases overall cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification durabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a disposable or replaceable tag component that can be easily replaced when degraded, rather than replacing the entire collar system. This allows the identification function to be maintained at low cost while the main collar structure with electronics remains reusable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If microchips are implanted for permanent identification, then the identification is permanent, but the microchips are limited in information storage and require scanning equipment to retrieve data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification permanenceVSAvoidinformation accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification system into multiple components: the implanted microchip for permanent unique identification, and an external collar-based display device that can show additional information such as owner contact details, vaccination records, and microchip number. This segmentation allows both permanent identification and easy information accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collar-based display device acts as an intermediary between the implanted microchip and the finder. Instead of requiring direct scanning equipment to access microchip data, the display device can show microchip information and owner contact details directly to anyone who finds the pet, facilitating quicker reunification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If tracking collars with battery-powered displays and GPS are used, then tracking and monitoring capabilities are improved, but the collars become cumbersome and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidcollar weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic GPS tracking and data transmission rather than continuous operation. The collar can transmit location and sensor data at intervals or when triggered by specific events, reducing power consumption and allowing for lighter battery and electronic components while maintaining effective tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Duration of action of stationary object

If collars with rechargeable batteries are used, then continuous operation is achieved, but the collar must be removed from the pet for charging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoidcharging convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a rechargeable battery that is pre-charged before being installed in the collar, allowing the collar to operate continuously without removal for charging during normal use. The battery can be recharged by removing the entire collar unit or through a dock-based charging system, minimizing the need to remove the collar during active use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10687514B2System and method for animal data collection and analytics

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 SIEGEL JOHN

AI summary

An inventive animal collar device is described herein that monitors location, physiological information and/or environmental information relating to an animal wearing the device. The collar may include multiple sensors and other electrical components embedded within the collar body that provide means for: tracking and monitoring an animal's activity and whereabouts, increasing visibility of the collar, and storing and retrieving animal, environment and system information. The collar may implement one or more wired or wireless communication devices so that the collar may transmit data to a connected computing device. The collar may also include one or more antennas to send and/or receive location information associated with the device. The collar may include a removable module that attaches to the collar via a module dock. The removable module may include any of the electronic components and may allow for the collar body to remain on the animal during information transfer and/or charging.