Integrated Dog Tracking and Stimulus Collar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current animal tracking and training systems require separate devices for tracking and stimulation, which are cumbersome and often illegal in competitions, as they involve dual systems with independent control units and circuitry.

Innovation Solution

A modular dog collar system that integrates a tracking unit and a stimulus unit, allowing them to be removably coupled and sharing circuitry and power, with a common control device, enabling selective coupling and decoupling for competition compliance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate tracking and stimulation systems are used, then each system can operate independently with dedicated control, but the system complexity increases and requires two remote handheld control units

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoiddual system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the tracking system and stimulation system into a single integrated collar unit, merging previously separate systems into one unified device that shares common control circuitry and power supply, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining functional capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated collar is designed to perform multiple functions - both tracking and stimulation - within a single device structure, allowing one system to serve multiple purposes that previously required separate dedicated systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If two separate systems are used for tracking and training, then each system has dedicated control, but the bulk and weight on the animal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidcollar weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the tracking and stimulation systems into a single collar unit with shared components, the overall weight is reduced compared to having two separate systems, as common elements like battery, microcontroller, and communication modules are consolidated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Weight of moving object

If an integrated system is used, then bulk and weight are reduced, but the stimulus unit cannot be removed for competitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollar weightVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The collar is segmented into a permanent tracking unit and a removable stimulus unit, allowing the stimulus component to be detached for competitions while the tracking unit remains, providing configuration flexibility without sacrificing the benefits of integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If two separate control units are used, then each system can be controlled independently, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control interfaces into a single unified remote handheld unit that can control both tracking and stimulation functions, eliminating the need to operate two separate control devices and thereby improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10154651B2Integrated dog tracking and stimulus delivery system

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 RADIO SYST CORP

AI summary

A system and apparatus to track and control an animal is described, including a tracking unit to track the animal, and a stimulus unit to provide a stimulus to the animal, wherein the tracking unit and stimulus unit are configured to be coupled together. The stimulus unit is entirely a slave device to the tracking unit and has no independent smart circuitry, no independent power supply and no antennae. Accordingly, the stimulation unit is dependent upon the tracking unit for operation, power and for communication to and from a remote hand held control device.