# US 9,750,227 B2 · Method and system for remote monitoring, care and maintenance of animals > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,227 B2 - Document ID: US9750227B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/365,901 - Filed: 2016-11-30 - Published: 2017-03-23 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-19 - Assignees: Botsitter, LLC - Applicants: Krystalka R. Womble; Robert L. Piccioni - Inventors: Krystalka R. Womble; Robert L. Piccioni - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750227B2 ## CPC - A01K 1/033: {Cat or dog houses} - A01K 1/0356: {Feeding or drinking devices associated with cages (for poultry A01K31/005, A01K31/17, A01K39/00; for birds A01K31/06)} - A01K 5/0114: {Pet food dispensers; Pet food trays (time-controlled A01K5/0291)} - A01K 5/02: Automatic devices {(automatic identification devices for stock A01K11/006)} - A01K 15/02: Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals (A01K15/04 takes precedence) {; Electric shock devices; Toys specially adapted for animals} - A01K 15/021: {Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats} - A01K 15/025: {Toys specially adapted for animals} - A01K 27/001: {Collars} - A01K 27/002: {Harnesses} - A01K 27/009: {with electric-shock, sound, magnetic- or radio-waves emitting devices} - A01K 29/00: Other apparatus for animal husbandry - A01K 29/005: {Monitoring or measuring activity} - A01K 29/007: {for pets} - G05D 1/0278: {using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS} - G06V 20/40: in video content (extracting overlay text G06V20/62; video retrieval G06F16/70; processing of video elementary streams in video servers H04N21/234; processing of video elementary streams in video clients H04N21/44) - G06V 40/10: Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands - A01K 1/0236: {Transport boxes, bags, cages, baskets, harnesses for animals; Fittings therefor (for poultry A01K31/002; Transportable cages, e.g. for pigeons A01K31/07)} - A01K 1/0245: {Boxes or cages} - A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING ## Abstract A system for remote care of an animal includes a water-tight housing with a hardened structural shell defining a chamber for accommodating the animal, a door disposed in the housing providing entry into and exit from the chamber by the animal, a wireless data communication system disposed within the housing and wirelessly communicatively coupled with a global computer network, a mobility portion coupled to the housing and operable to move the housing, and a microprocessor disposed within the housing and in communication with the wireless data communication system and operable to control the mobility portion and the door. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for remote care of an animal comprising: a water-tight housing with a hardened structural shell defining a chamber for accommodating the animal; a door disposed in the housing providing entry into and exit from the chamber by the animal; a wireless data communication system disposed within the housing and wirelessly communicatively coupled with a global computer network; a mobility portion coupled to the housing and operable to move the housing; and a microprocessor disposed within the housing and in communication with the wireless data communication system and operable to control the mobility portion and the door. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a docking mechanism operable to automatically secure the water-tight housing to a fixed structure to prevent undesirable movement as controlled by the microprocessor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a motorized elevation mechanism configured to automatically lower and raise the water-tight housing subterraneously controlled by the microprocessor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an elevation mechanism configured to automatically lower and raise the water-proof housing subterraneously controlled by the microprocessor in response to remote instructions transmitted via the wireless data communications system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a docking mechanism operable to automatically secure the water-tight housing to a fixed structure to prevent undesirable movement as automatically controlled by the microprocessor in response to remote instructions transmitted via the wireless data communications system; the microprocessor operable to shut and seal the door; and an elevation mechanism configured to automatically lower and raise the water-tight housing subterraneously controlled by the microprocessor in response to remote instructions transmitted via the wireless data communications system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an air supply system configured to provide sufficient life-sustaining air to the chamber, the air supply system being automatically controlled by the microprocessor in response to remote instructions transmitted via the wireless data communications system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a lighting system configured to provide regulated ambient lighting to the chamber, the lighting system being controlled by the microprocessor in response to remote instructions transmitted via the wireless data communications system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a lighting system in communication with the microprocessor and configured to provide regulated ambient lighting to the chamber according to a pre-programmed schedule. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a food and water dispenser configured to dispense food and water according to a pre-programmed schedule. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a food and water dispenser configured to dispense food and water controlled by the microprocessor in response to remote instructions transmitted via the wireless data communications system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a food and water dispenser configured to automatically dispense food and water in response to detecting an absence of food and/or water. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an image capture device, a speaker, and a microphone being automatically controlled by the microprocessor in response to remote instructions transmitted via the wireless data communications system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a memory storing pre-recorded images and audio messages that may be played back according to at least one of a predetermined schedule and remotely activated. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a strobe light attached to the housing in communication with the microprocessor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a beacon attached to the housing in communication with the microprocessor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a vital signs measuring device in communication with the microprocessor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a medicine dispenser in communication with the microprocessor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a play element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor in communication with the microprocessor and operable to detect environmental hazardous substances. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the microprocessor automatically initiates pre-programmed functions in response to detection of environmental hazardous substances. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor automatically initiates pre-programmed functions in response to a potentially hazardous environmental event warning received by the microprocessor via the wireless data communication system. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a waste containment system in communication with the microprocessor. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a smart collar worn by the animal configured to measure vital signs of the animal and communicate the vital signs measurements wirelessly to the microprocessor. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an above-ground enclosure configured for securely containing the water-tight housing. ### Claim 25 A method for remote care of an animal using an automated shelter having a water-tight housing with a hardened structural shell defining a chamber, a door disposed in the housing providing entry into and exit from the chamber, a wireless data communication system disposed within the housing and wirelessly communicatively coupled with a global computer network and telecommunication system, a mobility portion coupled to the housing and operable to move the housing, and a microprocessor disposed within the housing and in communication with the wireless data communication system and operable to control the mobility portion and the door, the method comprising: automatically navigating and moving the shelter to a docking mechanism to securely fasten the shelter in response to at least one of detecting a potentially hazardous environmental condition and receiving a wirelessly transmitted warning; automatically lowering the shelter subterraneously in response to at least one of detecting the potentially hazardous environmental condition and receiving the wirelessly transmitted warning; automatically providing sufficient life-sustaining air to the chamber; automatically providing regulated ambient lighting in the chamber in response to at least one of a pre-programmed schedule and receiving lighting control instructions via the wireless data communication system; automatically dispensing food and water in response to one of a pre-programmed schedule, detecting an absence of food and water, and receiving instructions transmitted via the wireless data communication system; and automatically capturing images and audio for wireless transmission to a remote device via the wireless data communication system. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, further comprising automatically playing back stored images and audio messages in response to at least one of a pre-programmed schedule and remote control. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, further comprising automatically dispensing a medicine in response to at least one of a pre-programmed schedule and remote control. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, further comprising automatically playing video images and audio data received via the wireless data communication system in response to at least one of a pre-programmed schedule and remote control. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, further comprising automatically collecting and disposing of waste produced by the animal.