Smart Animal Crate With Remote Monitoring and Emergency Exit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pet crates lack safety features that allow pets to exit during emergencies and do not enable remote communication or real-time monitoring, leading to anxiety and stress for both pets and owners.
Innovation Solution
A smart animal crate equipped with sensors, a monitoring system, and a communication system that allows remote control of the environment, including door opening, feeding, and interaction with the pet, as well as safety features like automatic locking and emergency exit mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pet crates are used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but safety features are lacking and remote communication is not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple safety features (fire alarm, smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, emergency exit mechanism) and communication systems (camera, microphone, speaker, mobile app connectivity) into a single integrated crate system. This merging approach enables comprehensive safety and remote communication capabilities while managing complexity through unified system architecture rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The crate system performs multiple functions simultaneously: monitoring environmental conditions (temperature, smoke, carbon monoxide), detecting animal behavior (barking, movement), providing emergency exit capabilities, enabling remote communication (video, audio), and automating feeding/watering. This multi-functionality addresses diverse needs within a single device, improving safety and communication while consolidating features rather than multiplying them.
2Loss of information
If conventional pet crates are used, then the device is simple, but real-time monitoring and communication with the pet are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors animal behavior (barking, movement, sleeping patterns) and environmental conditions, then provides real-time feedback to owners through mobile app notifications and two-way communication. This feedback loop enables owners to receive immediate information about pet status and respond accordingly, eliminating information loss while managing complexity through targeted sensing and selective communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system operates autonomously, with sensors automatically detecting behaviors and conditions without owner intervention. The system self-manages data collection, processing, and communication, reducing the need for complex manual monitoring while maintaining continuous real-time information flow to owners through automated systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional pet crates are used, then the structure is straightforward, but emergency exit capability is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency exit mechanism is pre-configured and automatically activated when danger is detected (fire, smoke, carbon monoxide), eliminating the need for owner intervention during crises. The system proactively creates safe escape conditions before the owner can respond, addressing emergency situations while managing complexity through automated trigger mechanisms rather than manual operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a smart crate that includes a variety of improved features to promote safety and peace for both the pet and owner. Specifically, the disclosed crate includes smart technology with a remote monitoring system that allows a user to view, hear, and/or communicate with an animal positioned within the crate. Accordingly, pet and owner anxiety is thereby reduced or eliminated. The crate also includes improved safety features, such as an automatic locking element that allows a user to remotely open and close the crate door. In this way, the animal is allowed to exit the crate interior, such as in the case of an emergency.