Odor emission system, device and method
AssigneeBarron Associates, Inc.
InventorsWilliam T. Gressick, Brian R. Clark, Clifford Schultz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of a controlled odor emission system and device include an odor presentation port tube and an odor tray securely retained against a platform, a valve housing securable to the platform adjacent the tray, a valve secured within the valve housing and an actuator for moving the valve. By controlling movement of the valve, precise amounts of an odor can be dispensed under programmatic control for training animals. Further, a system incorporating a central control unit and a reward dispenser in communication with an odor emission device to facilitate animal training.
Claims21
A system, comprising:
- at least one odor-emitting device comprising:
- a housing defining an odor channel;
- at least one odor tray secured within the housing;
- a controller secured within the housing;
- a valve actuator secured within the housing;
- a valve secured within the housing;
- and
- a first animal head detector secured within the housing;
- at least one reward-emitting device comprising a reward-emitting device controller, a reward-emitting device actuator and a reward release structure;
- and
- a central control unit in communication with the at least one odor-emitting device and the at least one reward-emitting device, wherein the central control unit comprises a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
- receive an instruction to move the valve of the at least one odor-emitting device;
- communicate a first signal to the odor-emitting device controller to trigger the valve actuator to move the valve;
- receive a signal from the odor-emitting device controller that the first animal head detector has detected a head movement or a head position placement of an animal;
- and
- communicate a first signal to the reward-emitting device controller to trigger the reward-emitting device actuator to open the reward release structure, whereby a reward stored in the reward release structure can be released.
A system, comprising:
- at least one odor-emitting device comprising:
- a housing defining an odor channel;
- at least one tray secured within the housing;
- a controller secured within the housing;
- a valve actuator secured within the housing;
- a valve secured within the housing:
- and
- a fan secured within the housing;
- at least one reward-emitting device comprising a reward-emitting device controller, a reward-emitting device actuator and a reward release structure;
- and
- a central control unit in communication with the at least one odor-emitting device and the at least one reward-emitting device, wherein the central control unit comprises a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
- receive an instruction to move the valve of the at least one odor-emitting device;
- communicate a first signal to the odor-emitting device controller to trigger the valve actuator to move the valve;
- receive an instruction to operate the fan of the at least one odor-emitting device;
- and
- communicate a second signal to the odor-emitting device controller to trigger the fan.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.