U.S. patent application number 15/346221 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-10 for collar mounted intruder detection security system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Benjamin F. Hord, Margaret A. Hord. Invention is credited to Benjamin F. Hord, Margaret A. Hord.
Application Number | 20180125038 15/346221 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62065068 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180125038 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hord; Margaret A. ; et
al. |
May 10, 2018 |
Collar Mounted Intruder Detection Security System
Abstract
A security system configured to be attached about the neck of a
dog, includes a collar having opposed ends, each end having a
fastener such that the belt is configured to be selectively coupled
about the dog's neck. A monitoring assembly is mounted to the
collar, the monitoring assembly including a microphone and a
processor in data communication with the microphone. A transmitter
is operatively connected to the processor. A response assembly is
displaced from the monitoring assembly that includes a speaker in
data communication with the processor, the processor configured to
selectively actuate the speaker when the processor determines that
the microphone has detected a predetermined sound, such as the bark
of an intruding dog. The displaced speaker may then emit the sound
of a menacing guard dog until the sound of an intruding dog is no
longer detected.
Inventors: |
Hord; Margaret A.; (Oakland,
MD) ; Hord; Benjamin F.; (Columbia, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hord; Margaret A.
Hord; Benjamin F. |
Oakland
Columbia |
MD
MO |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62065068 |
Appl. No.: |
15/346221 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 13/1672 20130101;
H04R 1/028 20130101; H04R 3/00 20130101; H04R 2400/00 20130101;
G08B 15/00 20130101; A01K 27/009 20130101; G10L 17/26 20130101;
H04R 2410/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01K 27/00 20060101
A01K027/00; H04R 1/02 20060101 H04R001/02; G10L 17/26 20060101
G10L017/26; G08B 13/16 20060101 G08B013/16 |
Claims
1. A security system for detecting an intruder proximate a dog in
an outdoor environment, comprising: a collar having opposed ends,
each end having a fastener such that said belt is configured to be
selectively coupled about the dog's neck; a monitoring assembly
mounted to said collar, comprising: a microphone; a processor in
data communication with said microphone; and a response assembly
displaced from said monitoring assembly that includes a speaker in
data communication with said processor, said processor configured
to selectively actuate said speaker; wherein said processor is
configured to actuate said speaker when said microphone detects a
predetermined sound; a transmitter in data communication with said
processor and configured to transmit actuation and data signals;
programming that, when executed by said processor, causes said
processor to actuate said transmitter to transmit respective
actuation and data signals; and a receiver in data communication
with said speaker and configured to receive said actuation and data
signals from said transmitter, said receiver configured to cause
said speaker to emit sound according to said received signals a
timer in data communication with said processor; programming that,
when executed by said processor, causes said processor to:
determine if said microphone no longer detects said predetermined
sound after having previously detected said predetermined sound; if
no predetermined sound is detected, actuate said timer to cycle a
predetermined time; upon expiration of said timer cycle, actuate
said transmitter to transmit a stop signal; wherein said receiver
is configured to deactivate said speaker upon receiving said stop
signal.
2. The security system as in claim 1, wherein said monitoring
assembly includes: a non-volatile memory in data communication with
said processor that is configured to store programming and sound
data; a battery in data communication with said processor and said
memory; a casing mounted to said collar that defines an interior
area, said processor, said memory, said microphone, and said
battery being situated in said interior area.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The security system as in claim 1, wherein said data signals
include sound data indicative of a guard dog.
6. (canceled)
7. The security system as in claim 1, wherein said memory includes
a plurality of data signals associated with sounds to be
selectively emitted by said speaker.
8. A security system for detecting an intruder proximate a dog in
an outdoor environment, comprising: a collar having opposed ends,
each end having a fastener such that said belt is configured to be
selectively coupled about the dog's neck; a monitoring assembly
mounted to said collar, comprising: a microphone; a processor in
data communication with said microphone; a non-volatile memory in
data communication with said processor that is configured to store
programming and sound data; a battery in data communication with
said processor and said memory; a response assembly displaced from
said monitoring assembly that includes a speaker in data
communication with said processor, said processor configured to
selectively actuate said speaker; and programming that, when
executed by said processor, causes said processor to determine
whether sound detected by said microphone is indicative of a dog
barking and, if so, to actuate said speaker; a transmitter in data
communication with said processor and configured to transmit
actuation and data signals; programming that, when executed by said
processor, causes said processor to actuate said transmitter to
transmit respective actuation and data signals; and a receiver in
data communication with said speaker and configured to receive said
actuation and data signals from said transmitter, said receiver
configured to cause said speaker to emit sound according to said
received signals a timer in data communication with said processor;
programming that, when executed by said processor, causes said
processor to: determine if said microphone no longer detects said
predetermined sound after having previously detected said
predetermined sound; if no predetermined sound is detected, then
actuate said timer to cycle a predetermined time; upon expiration
of said timer cycle, actuate said transmitter to transmit a stop
signal; wherein said receiver is configured to deactivate said
speaker upon receiving said stop signal.
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. The security system as in claim 8, wherein said memory includes
a plurality of data signals associated with sounds to be
selectively emitted by said speaker.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to intruder detection
systems and, more particularly, to an intruder detection system
having a monitoring assembly mounted to a dog collar about a pet's
neck configured to detect sounds indicative of an intruder and
having a response system situated remote from the monitoring
assembly for emitting sounds intended to intimidate and scare away
an intruder.
[0002] Intruder detection devices are well known in the art, such
as basic motion sensors that, when triggered, cause lights to
illuminate a predetermined area. For instance, one or more motion
detectors may be mounted proximate a house, garage, or commercial
business and configured to energize one or more spot lights if
movement within a predetermined area is detected. However, when the
intruder is a rodent, dog, or non-human intruder, lights alone are
ineffective to intimidate or scare away the intruder.
[0003] Similarly, a residence at which a pet dog is present in an
outdoor environment might not be able to intimidate and scare away
an intruder either. For instance, if an unrestrained dog wanders
onto the property, a small dog's yips and squeaky barks are
unlikely to scare away the more menacing animal or a human
intruder. By contrast, a more menacing sounding guard dog would be
more effective at urging the intruder to leave quickly and not
return.
[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to have an intruder
detection system mounted to a domestic animal's neck collar which,
when an intruder is detected, activates a remotely positioned
speaker to emit menacing "guard dog" barking so as to scare away
the intruder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A security system for detecting an intruder proximate a dog
in an outdoor environment according to the present invention and
configured to be attached about the neck of a dog includes a collar
having opposed ends, each end having a fastener such that the belt
is configured to be selectively coupled about the dog's neck. A
monitoring assembly is mounted to the collar, the monitoring
assembly including a microphone and a processor in data
communication with the microphone. A transmitter is operatively
connected to the processor. A response assembly is displaced from
the monitoring assembly that includes a speaker in data
communication with the processor, the processor configured to
selectively actuate the speaker when the processor determines that
the microphone has detected a predetermined sound, such as the bark
of an intruding dog. The displaced speaker may then emit the sound
of a menacing guard dog until the sound of an intruding dog is no
longer detected.
[0006] Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide
an intruder detection system mounted to a domestic animal's neck
collar which detects sounds via a microphone that are indicative of
an intruder.
[0007] Another object of this invention is to provide an intruder
detection system, as aforesaid, that activates a remotely
positioned speaker to emit menacing "guard dog" barking so as to
scare away the intruder.
[0008] A further object of this invention is to provide an intruder
detection system, as aforesaid, that deactivates the remote speaker
once the monitoring assembly no longer detects the presence of an
intruder.
[0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of
illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a monitoring assembly of a
collar mounted security system according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the monitoring assembly as in
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3a is an isolated front view of a casing removed from
the monitoring assembly as in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3b is a sectional view taken along line 3b-3b of FIG.
3a;
[0014] FIG. 4a is another isolated front view of a casing removed
from the monitoring assembly as in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4b is a sectional view taken along line 4b-4b of FIG.
4a;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a response assembly of the
collar mounted security system according to the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electronic components of
the security system according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] A security system for detecting an intruder proximate a dog
will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 of
the accompanying drawings. The security system 10 includes a collar
20, a monitoring assembly 30 coupled to the collar 20, and a
response assembly 50 displaced and remote from the monitoring
assembly 30.
[0019] The collar 20 of the security system 10 includes an elongate
and generally rectangular configuration having opposed ends 22, 24.
Fasteners mounted at respective ends of the collar 20 are
configured to be selectively fastened together, such as about the
neck of a pet--preferably of a dog in the present instance. The
body of the dog collar 20 may include length adjustment elements,
such as a pin and holes combination, clips, clasps, hook and loop
fasteners, snaps, buckles, or other fastener combinations.
[0020] The monitoring assembly 30 may include a casing 32 coupled
to the collar 20, such as to the front or neck-side of the collar
20, the casing 32 having a single continuous wall or multiple walls
that define an interior area. The monitoring assembly 30 may
include a microphone 34 positioned in the interior area and in
operative communication with a front side thereof. In other words,
the casing 32 may include one or more apertures that enhance the
microphone's performance in receiving ambient sound (FIG. 1).
[0021] Further, the monitoring assembly 30 may include a processor
36 or equivalent circuitry positioned in the interior area of the
casing 32. A non-volatile memory 38 may also be positioned in the
casing and in data communication with the processor 36, the memory
38 being electronically configured to include programming and data
structures. Data stored in memory 38 may include sound data
indicative of the sound of a viscous guard dog as well as other
sounds to be emitted by a speaker 52 as will be discussed further
later. In addition, the response assembly 50 may include a battery
40 electrically connected to the electronic components in the
casing 32.
[0022] In use, the microphone 34 is configured to receive a sound
and deliver the received sound digitally to the processor 36. The
processor 36, under program control, is configured to determine if
the microphone 34 has received (i.e. detected) a predetermined
sound judged to be indicative of the presence of an intruder. For
instance, the processor 36 is configured to determine if a received
sound is indicative of a dark barking, a person talking, etc.
[0023] The response assembly 50 is a module remote or displaced
from the collar 20 and monitoring assembly 30. For instance, the
response assembly may include a housing mounted on an exterior wall
of a residence, positioned in a yard or patio, or otherwise
positioned where its speaker 52 is most effectively heard by an
intruder. Accordingly, the response assembly 50 includes at least a
speaker 52 and a receiver 54 in electrical and data communication
with the speaker 52. Preferably, the speaker 52 is a high
performance and sizeable construction so as to produce a high
quality and realistic sounding emission. In an embodiment, the
response assembly 50 may include its own processor, memory,
transmitter, and battery (not shown) or equivalent circuitry for
controlling the speaker 52.
[0024] The monitoring assembly 30 of the security system 10 may
include a transmitter 42 in data communication with the processor
36 and is configured to transmit actuation and data signals into
the ambient air. Under program control, the processor 36, when
appropriate, causes the transmitter 42 to send a signal actuating
the speaker 52 to emit predetermined sounds, e.g. barking sounds of
a guard dog. More particularly, the processor 36 is configured to
cause the transmitter 42 to transmit sound data in signals, the
sound data having been stored in memory 38. The receiver 54 of the
response assembly 50 is configured to receive the sound data
signals and to communicate them to the speaker 52 for emission
thereby.
[0025] The security system 10 is configured to stop the speaker 52
from emitting a dog barking sound once the microphone 34 is no
longer receiving or detecting the predetermined sound identifiable
as a potential intruder (whether dog or person). Specifically, the
processor 36, under program control, continuously monitors the
microphone 34 and, when the predetermined sound is no longer
detected, causes the transmitter 42 to send a "stop signal" which,
when received by the receiver, deactivates the speaker 52.
[0026] In another aspect, the sound data being emitted by the
speaker 52 is permitted to continue for a predetermined amount of
time after the threat or presence of an intruder has ceased. More
particularly, the monitoring assembly 30 may include a timer 44,
such as in the form of a circuit, in data communication with the
processor 36. There is programming that, first, causes the
processor 36 to determine if the microphone 34 is no longer
receiving the predetermined sound. If so, the timer 44 is energized
to count or cycle for a predetermined amount of time. In other
words, a delay is initiated. Once the time has expired, programming
causes the processor 36 to initiate the stop signal to deactivate
the speaker 52 as described above.
[0027] In use, the security system 10 is able to detect the
proximate presence of an intruder, such as a dog. Specifically, the
microphone 34 of the monitoring assembly 30 is configured to detect
ambient sound and, in cooperation with the processor 36 is able to
detect a predetermined sound. Once detected, the monitoring
assembly 30 (via the processor 36 and transmitter 42) signals the
response assembly 50 and speaker 52 to emit predetermined sounds,
namely that of a menacing dog likely to intimidate or scare away
the intruder. The speaker 52 is deactivated once the microphone 34
no longer detects the predetermined sound.
[0028] It is understood that while certain forms of this invention
have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto
except insofar as such limitations are included in the following
claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
* * * * *