Voltage-to-Frequency Conversion for Animal Training Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal training devices lack the ability to quickly and incrementally adjust stimulation levels to match the individual temperament and distraction levels of each animal, potentially leading to overwhelming reactions due to fixed or insufficient levels of cue signals.
Innovation Solution
A remote controller system using RF communication with a three-terminal potentiometer for volume control, voltage-to-frequency conversion, and microprocessor-controlled stimulation modes, allowing for precise adjustment of electrical impulse stimulation, along with additional features like a buzzer, LED, and GPS, to provide customizable and adaptive training cues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a selector dial with many levels is used to adjust stimulation levels, then the number of available levels increases, but the ability to quickly and incrementally adjust levels to match the animal's current state is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical selector dial with an electronic volume control potentiometer that provides continuous incremental adjustment. This substitution allows for smooth, continuous variation of stimulation levels rather than discrete steps, enabling faster and more precise matching to the animal's current state while maintaining a wide range of available levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous variable stimulation levels through electronic control, allowing the stimulation parameter to change smoothly across a wide range. This enables rapid adaptation to different animal states by continuously adjusting the voltage level, rather than being constrained to fixed discrete levels from a selector dial.
2Device complexity
If fixed levels of cue signals are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to match individual temperament and distraction levels of each animal is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through a volume control potentiometer that allows real-time modification of stimulation levels. This dynamic control mechanism maintains relative simplicity while enabling continuous customization to match each animal's individual temperament and distraction levels, overcoming the limitation of fixed signal levels.
3Reliability
If high stimulation levels are applied to overcome background noise and distractions, then the cue signal effectiveness increases, but the risk of overwhelming the animal or causing overreactions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables precise control of stimulation levels through continuous incremental adjustment, allowing the operator to apply exactly the right amount of stimulation needed to overcome distractions without exceeding what the animal can tolerate. This partial action approach avoids the harm of excessive stimulation while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implies a feedback mechanism where the operator can observe the animal's response and continuously adjust the stimulation level accordingly. This allows for real-time adaptation, increasing effectiveness when needed while preventing overreaction by reducing levels when the animal becomes overwhelmed.
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
Enables effective and adaptive animal training by allowing for real-time adjustment of stimulation levels to match the animal's adrenal responses and distractions, preventing overreactions and enhancing training outcomes through precise control of various sensory stimuli.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage-to-frequency converter converts a voltage level set by the volume control to a corresponding frequency signal proportional to the voltage level
Implementation Method 2
RF communication circuitry transmits signals including the kind and mode of stimuli and the level of electrical impulse stimulation to the training device through a transmitting antenna
Data Source
AI summary
An animal training device and system which uses a voltage to frequency conversion technology (VFC) providing the capability to adjust in gradual incremental levels upward and downward for consistent and individual electronic control of separate output to an animal undergoing training to learn new behaviors. Whether one-way or two-way remote controller with manual activation by the user, automatic activation by remote sensor detectors, or automatically activated by an on-board microprocessor circuitry sensing the animals own actions, either or all device outputs allow the animal's caretaker the unique capability to select an appropriate level of one of a variety of cue signals at a given moment allowing the animal not to be overwhelmed or to cause any over-reactions.