Smart Collar Zone Deterrence Using Distributed Bluetooth Transceivers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for preventing animals from entering restricted zones, such as pet collars with RFID tags, face challenges with limited range and high power consumption, making them inefficient and impractical for effective zone definition and animal training.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing multiple Bluetooth or WIFI transceivers placed around the perimeter of a zone to emit signals, allowing the smart collar to determine signal strength and establish a defined restricted zone with reduced power consumption, enabling accurate and efficient zone creation and animal guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RFID tags are used to prevent animals from entering restricted zones, then the animal can be deterred from entering the zone, but the power consumption increases significantly and the effective range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezone restriction effectivenessVSAvoidcollar battery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the restricted zone into multiple segments by placing multiple emitters at different locations around the zone perimeter. Each emitter independently defines a portion of the restricted area, allowing the collar to determine zone boundaries through signal strength measurements from multiple distributed sources rather than relying on a single high-power RFID system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless emitters (Bluetooth or WIFI transceivers) as intermediary devices that bridge the gap between the collar and the restricted zone boundaries. These emitters act as mediators that provide location information to the collar without requiring high-power direct communication, enabling accurate zone definition with lower power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If RFID signal range is increased to cover larger areas, then more extensive zones can be restricted, but power consumption increases making the solution unworkable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestricted zone coverage areaVSAvoidcollar battery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single high-power RFID system to cover large areas, the patent segments the coverage area and uses multiple low-power emitters distributed throughout the space. The collar determines its location by receiving signals from multiple emitters simultaneously, achieving extended coverage without requiring high power consumption from any single source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from relying on signal strength alone (one-dimensional approach) to using multiple emitters at different locations (adding spatial dimensionality). By triangulating position based on signals from multiple emitters, the system achieves accurate location determination and extended zone coverage without increasing individual emitter power requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If multiple emitters are placed around the zone perimeter, then accurate zone definition is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezone boundary accuracyVSAvoidnumber of emitters and setup process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal emitters that can function as both Bluetooth and WIFI transceivers, allowing a single device type to serve multiple communication purposes. This multi-functionality reduces the variety of components needed in the system and simplifies setup procedures while maintaining accurate zone definition capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the collar continuously monitors signal strengths from multiple emitters and adjusts its position determination accordingly. This feedback loop enables accurate zone boundary detection despite variations in signal propagation conditions, simplifying the overall system by using software-based correction rather than complex hardware adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240379014A1Methods and systems for deterring animals to approach or enter identified zones

Publication Date: 2024.11.14 PROTECT ANIMALS WITH SATELLITES LLC

AI summary

A system and method for deterring animals, such as pets, from entering, getting onto, or being in certain defined zones/locations created by a user. The pet monitoring system includes a smart collar configured to communicate with a plurality of powered transceivers/transmitters, particularly Bluetooth transmitters and transceivers. Each of the transceivers or transmitters has a unique ID associated with it. The smart collar, a smartphone or other wireless communicating device can read and record the signal strength of each of the transmitters at various locations and use that information to create prohibited zones that can be downloaded onto the smart collar. The smart collar can also contain a stimulus emitter for providing a warning to the animal and a communication device configured to alert the owner.