Patent · US Expired

System and method for providing access to selected animals to a secured enclosure

US6297739A · kind A · utility

61Cited by
13References
8Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 20, 2000
Grant dateOct 2, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 20, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA01K11/006
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system and method are described for providing access to a secured enclosure, such as a house or a fenced yard, to only a set of one or more selected animals while maintaining a high level of enclosure security. Each selected animal carries an identification device with an identifying code. An identification sensor scans for a selected identification device upon the detection of an animal's existence near the animal door. For detecting an animal at the outside of the animal door, a weight sensor is used, and for detecting an animal at the inside of the animal door, a motion sensor is used. The weight sensor is also configured to discriminate between the weight of each of the selected animals from unauthorized animals. The animal access system is also coupled to the enclosure's security system, to maintain the integrity of the enclosure security while enabling the selected animals to enter and exit the enclosure at will.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.