Sensor-Responsive Dog Chase Toy for Sustained Multi-Sensory Play
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet toys fail to provide sustained audio, visual, and haptic stimulation, leading to inactivity and potential antisocial behavior in pets, and lack features to enhance training and engagement.
Innovation Solution
A dog chase toy equipped with sensors to detect its state, providing audio, visual, and haptic feedback, including a controller to emit sounds and lights based on detected states, and a wireless interface for customizable feedback tailored to the pet's type and prey.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If traditional pet toys are used, then the pet can play for a short time, but the pet becomes inactive and disengaged quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The toy incorporates sensors that detect the pet's actions (dropping, biting, shaking) and provide immediate feedback through audio responses (predator sounds, prey sounds) and visual feedback (LED lights). This continuous feedback loop keeps the pet engaged by making the toy responsive to its actions, thereby extending play duration and maintaining activity level.
Solution Approach 2:
The toy features dynamic audio responses that change based on the detected state. Different sounds are played based on whether the toy is being held, dropped, bitten, or shaken. This dynamic adaptation to the pet's actions maintains interest and extends engagement time.
2Duration of action of moving object
If simple pet toys are used, then the device complexity is low, but the toy lacks sustained audio and visual stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The toy merges multiple functions into a single device: audio playback, visual LED feedback, sensor detection, and waterproof housing are all integrated into one unit. This consolidation provides sustained multi-sensory stimulation while managing complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The toy serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides audio stimulation, visual stimulation, detects various states (holding, dropping, biting, shaking), and is designed for both land and water play. This multi-functionality extends engagement duration while using a single integrated device.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the toy provides constant audio and visual feedback, then the pet remains engaged, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toy provides feedback periodically based on detected actions rather than continuously. Audio and visual feedback are triggered by specific events (dropping, biting, shaking), creating intermittent stimulation that maintains engagement while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The toy's sensors automatically detect the pet's actions and trigger appropriate feedback without requiring constant power or external control. The system self-regulates its operation based on the detected states, optimizing energy usage while maintaining engagement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the toy lacks state detection capabilities, then the device is simpler, but it cannot provide tailored feedback based on pet actions
Solution Approach 1:
The toy uses sensors to detect specific states (holding, dropping, biting, shaking) and provides tailored feedback for each state through different audio responses and LED patterns. This state-dependent feedback customization enhances adaptability while using a relatively simple sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio output dynamically changes based on the detected state, with different predator sounds, prey sounds, and volume levels corresponding to different actions. This dynamic adaptation provides customized feedback without requiring complex sensor arrays.
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
Enhances pet engagement through interactive stimulation, promotes activity, and serves as a training tool by mimicking animal sounds and behaviors, encouraging interaction and retrieval exercises.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor comprises at least one of: a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric device, an accelerometer, a spring-based sensor, and a haptic device
Implementation Method 2
the sensor comprises at least one of: a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric device, an accelerometer, a spring-based sensor, and a haptic device
Implementation Method 3
the sensor comprises at least one of: a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric device, an accelerometer, a spring-based sensor, and a haptic device
Implementation Method 4
an LED disposed in the outer housing and operatively connected to the controller, the LED being configured to emit light to an external environment
Implementation Method 5
a speaker disposed in the outer housing and operatively connected to the controller, the speaker being configured to emit the audible feedback to an external environment
Implementation Method 6
the outer housing comprises a buoyancy material therein such that the throwing toy is positively buoyant in water
Data Source
AI summary
A dog chase toy with audio, visual, and/or haptic sensory feedback is described herein. The dog chase toy includes sensors to detect the current state of the dog chase toy. These states may include, for example, being held by a person, traveling through the air, hitting and/or being in contact with the ground, and/or being in the mouth of the dog, etc. Based on the current state, the dog chase toy provides audio, visual, and/or haptic sensory feedback.