Animal Olfaction Training Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A training system including an apparatus and method for delivering an olfactory stimulus to an animal, comprising: one or more supply reservoirs having a sealable opening containing a reinforcing olfactant for eliciting a positive response in the animal, a release control in communication with the supply reservoir for regulating release of the reinforcing olfactant, a delivery channel connected to the supply reservoir for delivering the reinforcing olfactant released from the supply reservoir; and a housing wherein the one or more supply reservoirs and the delivery channel are mounted so as to orient the reinforcing olfactant sufficiently proximate to the animal to thereby stimulate olfaction.

Claims

1. A training apparatus for delivering an olfactory stimulus to an animal, comprising: at least one supply reservoir having a sealable opening, wherein the at least on supply reservoir contains a reinforcing olfactant for eliciting a positive response in the animal; a release control in communication with the supply reservoir for regulating release of the reinforcing olfactant; a delivery channel connected to the supply reservoir for delivering the reinforcing olfactant released from the supply reservoir; and a housing wherein the at least one supply reservoir and the delivery channel are mounted so as to orient the reinforcing olfactant sufficiently proximate to the animal to thereby stimulate olfaction, wherein the reinforcing olfactant is not directly administered to the animal so as to minimize habituation.

2. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing olfactant comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of: esters, linear terpenes, cyclic terpenes, aromatics, amines, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, lactones, thiols, methylphosphine and dimethylphosphine, phosphine, zinc phosphide, diacetyl, acetoin, nerolin, substituted pyrazines, macrocycles, steroids, or any poly-nitro benzene derivative.

3. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing olfactant comprises an olfactory derivative selected from the group consisting of: an herbal extract, a food scent, a polypropylene extract, a dermatologic extract.

4. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one supply reservoir contains a reinforcing olfactant pressurized to a level greater than atmospheric pressure.

5. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one supply reservoir comprises a plurality of supply reservoirs, and wherein the release control further comprises a valve bobbin, wherein the valve bobbin has a channel for releasing the reinforcing olfactant to the delivery channel when the valve bobbin is rotated to align the channel so as to open the sealable opening of the corresponding supply reservoirs.

6. The training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a delivery device in communication with the release control, wherein the delivery device is a dispenser selected from the group consisting of: a valve, an automated pump, a drip valve, a diffuser, a sprayer, an atomizer, or a particle dropper.

7. The training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a delivery device in communication with the release control, wherein the delivery device is a dispenser for releasing the reinforcing olfactant according to a parameter selected from the group consisting of dose, volume, flow rate, and interval.

8. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one supply reservoir comprises a plurality of supply reservoirs and the release control further comprises a sensor electrically connected to a switch, wherein the switch closes a circuit loop activating release of one or more of the plurality of reinforcing olfactants contained in the plurality of supply reservoirs in correspondence to a set of predetermined bioindicators associated with the physiologic state of the animal detected by the sensor.

9. An electronic training device for delivering an olfactory stimulus to an animal, comprising: a housing wherein at least one supply reservoir with a sealable opening for containing a reinforcing olfactant is mounted; at least one delivery channel connected to the supply reservoir for releasing the reinforcing olfactant; a control processor having a computer storage medium configured for programmable processing of data and instructions for controlling the portion of the reinforcing olfactant dispensed; and a device driver electrically connected to the control processor, and coupled to the one or more delivery channels so as to actuate dispensing of the reinforcing olfactant through the sealable opening.

10. The electronic training device of claim 9, wherein the at least one supply reservoir comprises a plurality of supply reservoirs disposed within a corresponding plurality of ports, wherein each of the plurality of supply reservoirs is coupled with a corresponding pump such that the device driver actuates a corresponding pump to thereby pressurize one or more reinforcing olfactants from a corresponding one or more of the plurality of supply reservoirs.

11. The electronic training device of claim 9, wherein the device driver releases the reinforcing olfactant according to a parameter selected from the group consisting of dose, volume, flow rate, and interval.

12. The electronic training device of claim 9, further comprising: a sensor for detecting a predetermined bioindicator parameter; and an analog digital converter coupled to the sensor, wherein the analog digital converter translates the predetermined bioindicator parameter into a digital format transmitted to the control processor.

13. The electronic training device of claim 9, further comprising an antenna for transceiving wireless signals for remotely communicating with the electronic device.

14. The electronic training device of claim 9, further comprising a computer storage medium configured for remote programmable processing of data and instructions, whereby the control processor is remotely adjustable.

15. A method for training an animal with silent commands, comprising: selecting a reinforcing olfactant comprising an olfactory compound selected from the group consisting of: esters, linear terpenes, cyclic terpenes, aromatics, amines, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, lactones, thiols, methylphosphine and dimethylphosphine, phosphine, zinc phosphide, diacetyl, acetoin, nerolin, substituted pyrazines, macrocycles, steroids, or any poly-nitro benzene derivative; containing the reinforcing olfactant in a reservoir; and releasing the reinforcing olfactant through a delivery channel so as to orient the reinforcing olfactant sufficiently proximate to the animal sufficiently proximate to the animal to thereby stimulate olfaction to thereby elicit a positive response, wherein the reinforcing olfactant is not directly administered to the animal so as to minimize habituation.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of releasing the reinforcing olfactant elicits a command response in the animal.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising sensing a physiologic state of the animal manifested by a bioindicator selected from the group consisting of heart rate, respirations, blood pressure, body temperature, sound, and physical movement.

18. A computer storage medium configured for programmable processing of data and instructions for execution of the method of claim 17, wherein the step of releasing the reinforcing olfactant is automatically executed when a predetermined bioindicators associated with a physiological state of the animal is sensed.

19. A computer storage medium configured for programmable processing of data and instructions for implementing the method of claim 17, further comprising the step of releasing the reinforcing olfactant is adjustable in correspondence to sensing predetermined bioindicators associated with a physiological state of the animal.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising remotely dispatching instructions via a radio signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the training device according to the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a close up view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a control unit component of FIG. 2.

[0031] FIG. 2B is a close up perspective view of the remote control unit of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing sequential operational steps executed by a particularly preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] The present invention employs an innovative training apparatus and method employing olfactants as positive reinforcement to develop immediate associated voluntary and involuntary positive responses by a subject animal. FIGS. 1-3 depicts a preferred embodiment of the new training apparatus, whereby the method is deployed.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, training apparatus 10 comprises a housing 4 wherein are disposed a plurality of supply reservoirs 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D mounted in generally vertical alignment so as to orient sealable openings 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D along an upper surface or housing 4. As shown in FIG. 1, housing 4 of this particular embodiment is provided with a fastener U hook for attaching training apparatus 10 to the frontal portion of a harness encircling an animal's neck and frontal torso. Thus positioning housing 4 to orient supply reservoirs 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D proximately below the subject animal's olfactory glands optimizes stimulus via a gaseous or atomized carrier.

[0035] Supply reservoirs 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D contain reinforcing olfactants 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D. In the present preferred embodiment 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16c respectively contain reinforcing olfactants lavender, cinnamon, rosemary and bacon scent. Olfactants employed in the present invention may comprise a wide variety of alternative scents derived from natural or synthetic compounds as defined above and be provided in an alternative compound configured as matter of any form, including solids, oils, liquids, gases, and combinations thereof, such as, for example, atomized liquids or a gel matrix. For example, the olfactant may be embedded in a gel or crystals in a manner so that air may be pumped over or through the solid matrix to then deliver the olfactant as a bolus of air, or the olfactant may be prepared as a liquid and pumped through an atomizer to be delivered as an atomized spray.

[0036] Training apparatus 10 has a dual mode dispensing mechanism enabling manual or automated dispensing of reinforcing olfactants 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D. In manual mode, device driver 52 is actuated by a trainers' manual selection of an olfactant whereby device driver 52 is activated to open a corresponding one of sealable openings 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D of a respective reinforcing olfactant 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D whereby respective miniature pumps 46A, 46B, 46C, and 46D are activated to thereby dispense a gaseous scent exuding therefrom through delivery channels 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D.

[0037] By repeatedly dispensing reinforcing olfactants 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D at designated intervals to correlate with an exhibited positive response, a trainer thereby establishes an increasingly closer association between the selected olfactant and the positive response. Following repeated delivery of the olfactant in conjunction with the response, a selected on of the reinforcing olfactants 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D elicits an impact of a command response from the animal immediately summoning the associated behavior or mood reinforcing olfactant, without requiring an auxiliary command through an additional non-olfactory, sense, e.g., sound, taste, sight, or touch.

[0038] An exemplary commercially available miniature pump adaptable for deployment in the illustrated embodiment includes, inter alia, a miniature vane pump for inducing air pressure for dispensing gaseous olfactants in an integrally streamlined configuration through the respective supply reservoir. In alternative embodiments employing liquids, such as sprays or atomizers, a micro-osmotic pump configured for dispensing such liquefied substances through an atomizer may be incorporated in a suitable design. Upon activation, control unit 18 actuates the respective pump to thereby dispense the selected reinforcing olfactant into the environment proximate to the animal.

[0039] Training apparatus 10 is further equipped with low level sensors affixed to critical points in supply reservoirs 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. Such low level sensors are connected to an auxiliary switch of device driver 52 whereby a pump 46A, 46B, 46C, or 46D is deactivated when any one of corresponding reinforcing olfactants 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D drops below a threshold minimum level.

[0040] Now referring to the schematic breakout of control unit 18 shown FIG. 2A, taken in context of its connection to training apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 2, automated dispensing of reinforcing olfactants 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D is regulated by control unit 18 which includes sensors 50A, 50B, 50C, and 50D coupled with a release processor 48 containing programmable instructions for dispensing reinforcing olfactants 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D according to detected parameters corresponding with bioindicators of an animal's physiologic state. In the illustrated embodiment, known, commercially available sensors are employed to derive analog measures of relevant parameters for measuring a corresponding bioindicators, which are converted to digital format by analog digital converter 42. Still referring to FIGS. 2-2A, sensors 50A-50D correspond to the following subject animal's bioindicators: 50A detects heart rate by an embedded noninvasive monitor, 50B detects temperature with a thermometer, 50C detects respiration and 50D detects location and movement speed with a GPS and accelerometer, of the subject animal. Alternative embodiments may employ sensors to detect any measurable bioindicator, including without limitation, levels of oxygen saturation or carbon dioxide, pH or other blood levels providing bioindicators by known diagnostic methods. A trainer may thereby select and dispense a reinforcing olfactant in accordance with a subject animal's physiologic or psychologic state, as well as, behavioral and mood objectives.

[0041] Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, a particularly preferred embodiment employs remote control 60 employing a transceiver and antennae (not shown) in communication with antennae 59 of training device 10 whereby remote monitoring and control of training apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, remote control 60 comprises an application provided in a trainer's mobile phone. In alternative embodiments, remote control functionality may utilize programmable processors and software applications installed in variously wirelessly connected components, including, for example, personal computers, networked servers or dedicated remote control units. According to the present embodiment, remote control 60 is programmed to process digitized data transmitted in signals received from antennae 59 so as to display on a graphical user interface (GUI) a graphic frame 64 depicting in vertical bars directly correlating to parameter levels detected by sensors 50A, 50B, 50C, and 50D.

[0042] Remote control 60 further enables a the trainer to dispense a selected one of reinforcing olfactants 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D through touching or clicking one of the respective graphic images 66A, 66B, 66C, or 66D, which are preferably icons, on the GUI. A transceiver and antennae (not shown) of remote control 60 then transmits the trainer's selected command to a transceiver of training apparatus 10. Control processor 52 then processes the command to thereby actuate driver device 52 to dispense a respective one of reinforcing olfactants 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D in accordance with the transmitted radio signal's instruction.

[0043] The GUI of remote control 60 further provides tracker frame 62 wherein data received from a GPS device, preferably embedded in sensor 50D, maps the subject animal's geographic location. A yet further feature of preferred embodiments of the present invention may include in remote control 60 GUI an olfactant low level graphic image to convey when a pump 46A, 46B, 46C, or 46D is deactivated due to a corresponding low level below a threshold detected by a respective low level sensor of the reinforcing olfactant.

[0044] Training apparatus 10 is insertable into an optional carrying case, which may be fastened to a trainer or animal. Alternatively, training apparatus 10 may be affixed to a post, fence or fixture or placed on any surface in the vicinity of an enclosure where an animal is located.

[0045] Alternative embodiments may further provide optional dispensing modes, including but not limited to, tubes, spray or atomizer nozzles with pipe ducts removeably insertable into supply reservoirs 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. As can be readily discerned, any mode of dispensing a reinforcing olfactant to thereby elicit a command response from an animal falls within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0046] The aforedescribed and alternative embodiments thereof enable employment of olfaction utilizing various methodologies. In particularly preferred methods employing the present invention, the olfactant may stimulate a natural or involuntary positive response in an animal. An example of a natural effect discussed above employs a lavender derivative, which calms many animals. This, or other scents that invoke an involuntary positive emotional state or mood, may be delivered by the trainer for the benefit of the animal or by the device as set by time intervals or by predetermined settings to release the olfactant in response to specific bioindicators as read by sensors.

[0047] In preliminary phases of training, release of an olfactant may be used as a reward positive reinforcement by the olfactant's natural effect. A trainer may tailor selection of the olfactant to an animal's natural propensity. One example of a natural propensity is deriving a scent from an animal's favorite food, such as bacon for many dogs. In this instance, the olfactant would be released immediately following the desired behavior, such as assuming a sitting posture after the verbal cue of sit from the trainer. In this manner, the olfactant serves as a replacement to an edible reward.

[0048] In further training the animal, to evoke a voluntary response, the olfactant would be delivered as a command to instill a specific behavior. During initial training, the animal may require frequent doses to instill a particular response. In addition to frequency, a trainer may simultaneously employ a command employing voice, touch or visual cues to instill the desired response. After the desired behavior is instilled in the animal, dosage level of the olfactant is incrementally reduced. Once the animal associates the olfactant with the desired response, the trained animal will develop a reflex response to minimal release of the olfactant without secondary vocal, tactile or visual cueing. Intermittent release of minimal doses combined with avoidance of direct olfactant to animal contact thus avoids desensitization resulting from habituation. An example of employing both reward and stimulus would be using the scent of chicken accompanied with the trainer calling the animal to their side and rewarded upon return. Over time, the scent would be used in isolation without calling for the animal, and the scent could then be used as a command from great distances to beckon the animal to return to the trainer. Selections of more neutral olfactants, without known propensities or natural effects, are also efficaciously employed. Examples of such olfactants include parsley and verbena. Use of more random and especially unfamiliar olfactants provides the trainer flexibility in training an animal to perform particular acts, postures or gaits at a higher level, such as expected in shows, races, obstacle courses or other tasks.

[0049] The above detailed description of preferred embodiments provides exemplary models for the animal training system according to the present invention. It can be readily seen by one skilled in the art that alternative combinations and permutations of training systems employing olfactants to condition, modify or command animal behavior or mood would fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as described and claimed herein.