Dynamic GPS Interval Adjustment for Pet Containment Collars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pet containment systems using GPS and radio links face limitations such as accuracy issues, high battery consumption, dependence on complex computations, and interference from environmental factors, leading to unreliable and inefficient training of pets within defined areas.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained collar system utilizing a lookup table with dynamically variable position request intervals and electrically generated stimuli, based on GPS signals, to provide humane and effective behavioral guidance by defining multiple zones and predicting safe zone departures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS-based pet containment systems use frequent position requests to improve training accuracy and reliability, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but battery consumption increases and use of energy worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the position request interval based on the pet's proximity to zone boundaries. When the pet is far from boundaries, longer intervals are used to conserve battery. When approaching boundaries, intervals automatically shorten to improve measurement precision and training reliability, resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and reliable position tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the time interval parameter between position requests based on operational conditions. By varying this parameter dynamically rather than using a fixed interval, the system optimizes both battery life and position detection accuracy, achieving reliable training while managing energy consumption effectively.
2Measurement precision
If GPS-based systems perform complex computations to determine position and provide behavioral guidance, then measurement precision and training accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the operational area into multiple behavioral zones with different guidance parameters. Instead of performing complex continuous calculations, the system determines which discrete zone the pet is in and applies pre-defined guidance rules for that zone, simplifying computational requirements while maintaining position accuracy and training effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a lookup table that stores pre-computed zone information and behavioral guidance parameters. Rather than calculating zone boundaries and guidance rules in real-time, the system copies relevant data from the lookup table based on current position, significantly reducing computational complexity while preserving measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If the system uses fixed position request intervals to simplify operation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and responsiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts position request intervals based on the pet's location relative to zone boundaries. This dynamic adjustment occurs without requiring owner intervention or complex configuration, maintaining ease of operation while improving position detection precision when it matters most for training responsiveness.
4Device complexity
If the system uses uniform behavioral guidance across all zones to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and training effectiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns different behavioral guidance parameters to different zones within the containment area. Each zone can have customized guidance characteristics appropriate for its location and purpose. This local differentiation is achieved through a structured lookup table that organizes zone-specific parameters, maintaining system simplicity while enabling sophisticated adaptive behavioral guidance.
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 system ensures accurate and efficient pet training with extended battery life, reduced computational complexity, and improved reliability by using a self-contained, GPS-based approach that minimizes environmental interference, providing effective behavioral guidance and positive reinforcement.
Implementation Method 1
a GPS or equivalent receiver for determining the geographic location of the portable stimulation apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless location assisted zone guidance system incorporates dynamically variable intervals between sequential position requests. Variables used to influence the duration of a current interval between sequential position requests include: location within a current zone; displacement rate within a zone; and output from sensors such as secondary low power location sensors, inertial sensors, and biometric sensors. Preferably, the sensors are not being used to try to determine precise position, but instead to indicate a degree of uncertainty in the current position. When this degree of uncertainty is sufficient to merit added processing and associated energy consumption, a new wireless location determination will be made.