Capacitive Paw-Nose Sensor for Animal Notification Alerts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Caretakers often fail to notice trained animals' indications for needing to exit or re-enter a home to perform bodily functions due to visibility issues, darkness, or being asleep or away, highlighting a need for improved animal training systems that provide clear and reliable alerts.

Innovation Solution

A device that animals can actuate by touching with their paw or nose, producing visual illumination and audible outputs, with optional wireless RF transmission to a portable device, ensuring caretakers are alerted for exit and re-entry needs, and featuring a durable, sealed design for extended operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an animal is trained to indicate needs by going to a specific location, then the animal can communicate its needs, but the caretaker may fail to notice the indication due to visibility issues, darkness, or being away

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of animal indicationVSAvoidcaretaker awareness of animal need

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (notification device with light and sound) that mediates between the animal's indication action and the caretaker's awareness. When the animal interacts with the first device, the intermediary notification device alerts the caretaker through light and sound signals, ensuring the caretaker notices the animal's needs even when away or unable to observe directly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the passive mechanical system of animal training (where the animal must physically go to a location and hope to be seen) with an active electronic notification system that automatically alerts the caretaker through light and sound signals, eliminating the reliability issues of visual observation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If a notification device with light and sound is used, then caretaker awareness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaretaker awarenessVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The notification device uses periodic or intermittent light and sound alerts rather than continuous operation. The device activates notifications only when triggered by animal interaction, and the alerts are delivered in periodic bursts rather than continuously, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective caretaker awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes operational parameters by activating high-energy notification functions (light and sound) only when needed, rather than operating continuously. The system transitions between low-power standby state and high-power notification state based on animal interaction, optimizing energy usage while ensuring awareness when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a durable sealed enclosure is used to protect the device, then device reliability in wet environments is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice durability in wet environmentVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of sealed enclosure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a sealed enclosure design that protects internal electronics from moisture and environmental damage. The enclosure acts as a protective shell that seals the device components, enabling reliable operation in wet environments such as near pools or in outdoor settings without requiring complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device provides reliable visual and auditory cues to caretakers, ensuring timely attention to an animal's needs, with extended battery life and durability, allowing animals to communicate their requirements effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitter that illuminates the outer surface of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a speaker that produces an audible output

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS9955671B1Animal training and indicating device

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 TUROCY KENNETH R

AI summary

An animal training and indicating device (10) includes a housing (12) having an outer surface (14). A capacitive sensor (54) is operative to detect contact by a paw or nose of an animal with the outer surface. Responsive to the contact, the device is operative to provide an illumination of at least one light emitter (60, 62), an audible output from a speaker (28) and at least one wireless RF signal which can be received by a portable wireless device (76).