System and method for providing a sound masking environment

文档序号：1820504 发布日期：2021-11-09 浏览：20次中文

阅读说明：本技术 用于提供声音掩蔽环境的系统和方法 (System and method for providing a sound masking environment ) 是由理查德·艾伦·塞尔策乔恩·休伯杰弗里·凯尔·吉夫特于 2020-02-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本文描述了一种系统,该系统包括套圈设备,该套圈设备包括声音掩蔽部件,该套圈设备包括用于对动物的生理数据进行检测的一个或更多个套圈设备传感器。该系统包括一个或更多个环境传感器,该一个或更多个环境传感器被配置为对动物环境的环境数据进行检测并将该环境数据发射至套圈设备。该套圈设备包括在至少一个处理器上运行的一个或更多个应用,该一个或更多个应用用于使用生理数据、环境数据和结果数据中的至少一者来对一个或更多个事件的发生进行检测。所述一个或更多个应用被配置为在所述一个或更多个事件发生之后使用所述一个或更多个事件的信息来选择声音掩蔽信号以用于传送。该系统包括用于传送声音掩蔽信号的声音掩蔽部件。(Described herein is a system comprising a snare device including a sound masking component, the snare device including one or more snare device sensors for detecting physiological data of an animal. The system includes one or more environmental sensors configured to detect environmental data of an animal environment and transmit the environmental data to the ferrule device. The ferrule device includes one or more applications running on at least one processor for detecting the occurrence of one or more events using at least one of physiological data, environmental data, and outcome data. The one or more applications are configured to use the information of the one or more events to select a sound masking signal for transmission after the one or more events occur. The system includes a sound masking component for delivering a sound masking signal.)

1. A system, the system comprising, in combination,

a snare device comprising a sound masking component, the snare device comprising one or more snare device sensors for detecting physiological data of an animal;

the ferrule device comprises one or more environmental sensors for detecting environmental data of an animal environment;

the ferrule device comprises one or more applications running on at least one processor for detecting occurrence of one or more events using at least one of the physiological data and the environmental data, wherein the one or more events comprise one or more of: at least one auditory event in the environment of the animal, and at least one behavior of the animal;

the one or more applications are to use information of the one or more events and outcome data to select a sound masking signal for transmission after the one or more events occur, wherein the outcome date comprises a previously detected difference in behavior of the animal in response to at least one sound masking signal previously transmitted by the sound masking component, wherein the sound masking signal comprises at least one selected combination of frequency and amplitude;

the sound masking component is used for transmitting the sound masking signal; and

the one or more applications are to record the outcome date over time, including updating the outcome data such that the outcome data includes a difference in the at least one behavioral aspect of the animal in response to the transmitted sound masking signal, wherein the difference in the at least one behavioral aspect of the animal is determined using the physiological data of the animal and the environmental data of the animal environment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one selected combination comprises white noise.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one selected combination comprises pink noise.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one selected combination comprises blue noise.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one selected combination comprises violet noise.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one selected combination comprises gray noise.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one behavior is indicative of anxiety in the animal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one behavior comprises barking of an animal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one behavior comprises howling of the animal.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one behavior comprises a continuous and rapid movement of the animal.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one auditory event comprises one or more sounds in the animal's environment, the one or more sounds comprising weather event noise, traffic noise, firework noise, and audible presence of other animals.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the difference in the at least one behavior of the animal comprises a cessation of the at least one behavior.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the difference in at least one behavior of the animal comprises a reduced occurrence of the at least one behavior.

14. The system of claim 1, selecting the sound masking signal comprises selecting a time interval for transmitting the sound masking signal.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more snare device sensors comprise a heart rate sensor for monitoring a heart rate of the animal.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more snare device sensors comprise an electrocardiogram for monitoring electrical activity (EKG or ECG) of the heart of the animal.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more cuff device sensors comprise one or more blood pressure sensors for monitoring a blood pressure level of the animal.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more snare device sensors comprise one or more respiration rate sensors for monitoring a respiration rate of the animal.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more snare device sensors comprise one or more temperature sensors for monitoring a body temperature of the animal.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more snare device sensors comprise an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope to monitor activity level and activity type of the animal.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more ferrule device sensors comprise one or more first acoustic sensors to detect a frequency, a magnitude, and a source of an audio signal, wherein the audio signal comprises the at least one auditory event.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more ferrule device sensors comprise one or more first acoustic sensors to detect a frequency, a magnitude, and a source of an audio signal, wherein the audio signal comprises the at least one auditory event.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more ferrule device sensors comprise one or more first piezoelectric transducers for measuring ambient changes in one or more of pressure, temperature, and force.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the one or more first piezoelectric transducers comprise at least one piezoelectric transducer located on the animal for detecting auditory signals generated by the animal.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more environmental sensors comprise a temperature sensor.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more environmental sensors comprise a moisture sensor.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more environmental sensors comprise a humidity sensor.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more environmental sensors comprise an air pressure sensor and/or an air quality condition sensor.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more environmental sensors comprise a lightning detector sensor.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more environmental sensors comprise one or more second acoustic sensors to detect a frequency, a magnitude, and a source of an audio signal, wherein the audio signal comprises the at least one auditory event.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more environmental sensors comprise one or more second piezoelectric transducers for measuring changes in ambient environment in one or more of pressure, temperature, and force.

32. A system, the system comprising, in combination,

a snare device comprising a sound masking component, the snare device comprising one or more snare device sensors for detecting physiological data of an animal;

one or more environmental sensors for detecting environmental data of an animal's environment, the one or more environmental sensors including a transmitter for transmitting the environmental data;

the ferrule device includes a transceiver for receiving the environmental data;

the one or more applications for selecting a first sound masking signal for transmission after the one or more events occur using information of the one or more events and outcome data, wherein the outcome date comprises a previously detected difference in behavior of the animal in response to at least one sound masking signal previously transmitted by the sound masking component, wherein the first sound masking signal comprises at least one first selected combination of frequency and amplitude, the one or more applications for providing information of the at least one first selected combination to at least one remote computing device;

the one or more applications are to receive instructions from the at least one remote computing device to transmit at least one of the first sound masking signal and a second sound masking signal, wherein the second sound masking signal includes at least one second selected combination of frequency and amplitude;

the sound masking component to communicate at least one of the first sound masking signal and the second sound masking signal; and

the one or more applications are to record the outcome date over time, the recording the outcome date including updating the outcome data such that the outcome data includes a difference in the at least one behavioral aspect of the animal in response to the transmission of at least one of the first and second sound masking signals, wherein the difference in the behavioral aspect of the at least one of the animal is determined using the physiological data of the animal and the environmental data of the animal environment.

33. A system, the system comprising, in combination,

a snare device comprising a sound masking component, the snare device comprising one or more snare device sensors for detecting physiological data of an animal;

one or more environmental sensors for detecting environmental data of an animal's environment, the one or more environmental sensors including a transmitter for transmitting the environmental data;

the ferrule device includes a transceiver for receiving the environmental data;

the ferrule device comprises one or more applications running on at least one processor for detecting occurrence of one or more events using at least one of the physiological data and the environmental data, wherein the one or more events comprise one or more of: at least one auditory event in an animal environment, and at least one behavior of the animal;

the one or more applications are to use information of the one or more events and outcome data to select a sound masking signal for transmission after the one or more events occur, wherein the outcome data comprises previously detected differences in the animal's behavior in response to at least one sound masking signal previously transmitted by the sound masking component, wherein the sound masking signal comprises at least one selected combination of frequency and amplitude;

the sound masking component is used for transmitting the sound masking signal; and

the one or more applications are for recording the result data over time, the recording the result data comprising updating the result data such that the result data comprises a difference in the at least one behavioral aspect of the animal in response to the transmitted sound masking signal, wherein the difference in the at least one behavioral aspect of the animal is determined using the physiological data of the animal and the environmental data of the animal environment.

Background

This section is intended to introduce various aspects of the art, which may be associated with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing a framework to facilitate a better understanding of particular aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that this section should be read in this light, and not necessarily as admissions of prior art.

Due to work, school, and other obligations, most pet owners cannot stay with their pets every moment of the day. However, due to various conditions, behaviors, and environments, some form of monitoring of some pets is required daily or at least at certain times. This is particularly true if the owner allows the pet to freely wander around in the home location without the owner being present.

Sometimes the environment of the dog may present auditory disturbances. Dogs can hear noise at much higher frequencies than humans. Although it is difficult for humans to hear sounds above 30,000 hertz, dogs can hear noise well above 40,000 hertz. Interestingly, at the low end of the frequency scale, there was little difference between humans and dogs. Dogs have up to 18 muscles in their ears so that they can aim the ears at the sound. This ability to detect a broader range of audible signals may cause noise phobia in dogs. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved wearable sound shielding system for dogs.

Drawings

In order to better understand the manner in which the present application is made, certain drawings and figures are appended hereto. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only selected embodiments and elements of the systems and methods described herein and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the systems and methods described herein, as the systems and methods may admit to other equally effective embodiments and applications.

Fig. 1 illustrates beacons deployed at various locations in a home location, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates components of a monitoring system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an application interface providing discovery options according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an application interface providing configuration options according to one embodiment.

Fig. 5 shows a representative database entry for a database stored in a ferrule (collar) device, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an application interface providing configuration options according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7A illustrates beacon-defined interactions between a beacon and a ferrule device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7B illustrates a ferrule-defined interaction between a beacon and a ferrule device according to one embodiment.

Fig. 8A illustrates one-way communication between a smartphone and a ferrule device according to one embodiment.

Fig. 8B illustrates two-way communication between a smartphone and a ferrule device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an application interface providing a user with a selection between multiple beacons, according to one implementation.

FIG. 10 illustrates a remote training application interface, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method of monitoring objects in a venue in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates components of a monitoring system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a system for monitoring objects in a venue according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a system for monitoring objects in a venue according to one embodiment.

Fig. 15 illustrates transmitting a repeatedly transmitted RF beacon according to one embodiment.

Fig. 16 shows the contents of an RF beacon packet according to one embodiment.

Fig. 17 illustrates an example antenna pattern demonstrating different signal strength levels depending on the approach angle of the RF receiver with respect to the respective RF beacon, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 18 illustrates transmitting RF beacons in proximity to various RF beacons according to one embodiment.

Fig. 19 shows a dog with a collar that includes an RF receiver in an environment that includes an RF beacon, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 20 shows a dog with a collar that includes an RF receiver in an environment that includes two RF beacons, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 21 shows a dog with a collar that includes an RF receiver in an environment that includes an RF beacon, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 22 illustrates a consumer operated smart phone that includes an RF receiver in an environment that includes an RF beacon, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 23 illustrates a vehicle including an RF receiver in an environment including an RF beacon, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 24 shows a wristband that includes an RF receiver worn by a chef in an environment that includes RF beacons, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 25 illustrates a system for enhancing RF beacon proximity determination, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 26 illustrates a system for providing a sound masking environment, according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

The demographics that own pets are constantly changing. Pet dogs are getting smaller and smaller, and they stay at home for longer and longer each day; if not an entire day. Both young and elderly tend towards smaller homes. Metropolitan life is becoming more and more popular. Thus, city and jurisdictional apartments are relaxing the constraints associated with keeping dogs in these smaller living spaces. Thus, the market is defined based on the needs of these (but not limited to) metropolitan pet owners.

Looking specifically at the needs of this population of people, some more "rural" pet solutions are not suitable. Together with the availability of new technology platforms and the popularity of smart phones and internet availability, new solutions have come up. And in response to a consumer's general call for products with more features and benefits, less complexity, and "annoyance," the systems and methods described herein respond to such a call.

Consider a reduction in the size of a pet's home in a metropolitan environment. The pet owner wishes to control the pet's allowable whereabouts (away from the kitchen, may be in the living room, etc.) and to learn about the pet's daily activities (when and where she sleeps. The present disclosure provides simple setup of a monitoring/tracking/detecting/training/avoidance system, simple configuration of system components, and optionally global-wide real-time access to information.

The systems and methods described herein include distributing pet beacons at strategic locations in a house, providing monitoring/tracking/detection/training/avoidance functionality for pets. These devices are designed to periodically transmit a unique (unique) identification code along with the functional parameters. Currently, such devices transmit signals over distances of up to 70 meters. Such devices are designed to be battery or line powered, small and easy to place anywhere in the home. According to one embodiment, each beacon has no assigned functionality. This allows for simple activation and placement. According to one embodiment, the beacon only transmits a unique identification and state of health (i.e., battery life). According to alternative embodiments, the beacon may also transmit minimum and maximum signal strength values and other functional parameters.

The systems and methods described herein include providing a pet snare device. According to one embodiment, the pet is wearing a collar designed to receive the beacon transmission and take action and/or store the data transmission in accordance therewith. The pet collar device may also transmit data gathered from all monitored beacons and beacon configuration data to one or more smartphone receivers. The collar can also provide positive and negative reinforcement using a variety of different stimulation techniques as necessary.

According to one embodiment, the beacon comprises bluetooth low energy ((b))Low Energy) beacon. According to an alternative embodiment, the beacon comprises a bluetooth low energy peripheral capable of RF connection. Further, the ferrule may include a bluetooth low energy enabled device similar in function to the beacon. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is itself a wireless technology standard for personal area networks. BLE is targeted for very low power devices, i.e. devices that can run for months or years using button cells. According to one embodiment, a bluetooth enabled beacon/device may include an embodiment of a bluetooth integrated circuit. Updating the embedded code of a bluetooth-enabled device may be accomplished through an over-the-air upgrade of the firmware. The mobile device operating system may natively support the bluetooth low energy wireless communication protocol. Such operating systems include iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry, as well as OS X, and B,Linux, and Windows 8.

A smartphone application is described herein for setting up and configuring a home detection/monitoring system and configuring components of the home detection/monitoring system. The smartphone application may also be used to monitor and control beacons and/or ferrule devices and upload monitoring data. As one example, when the smartphone application is within range of a beacon or boot device, the smartphone application may receive data from the devices, collect data, and/or store data. The smartphone application may also cause actions by a device such as a boot or any beacon, either manually or automatically. As described further below, the application may wirelessly signal the snare device to apply a corrective action, i.e., apply a stimulus to the respective pet. When configuring a system, the application may provide a simple user interface to configure the system, components of the system, and functionality of the components.

It should be noted that the beacon, pet collar device and mobile device may all transmit and receive data. Thus, as described further below, each such component/device may serve the dual function of transmitting and receiving/collecting data. In the examples provided below, the beacon and pet collar device are bluetooth enabled, but embodiments are not so limited. Further, in the examples provided below, the operating system of the mobile device (running the smartphone application of the system described herein) natively supports bluetooth communications. Such operating systems also natively support any other communication protocols that are available.

Assume that a user implements a tracking/monitoring system at the apartment/home of a living room. According to such an embodiment, fig. 1 shows a home location with multiple beacons 110 to 170, the multiple beacons 110 to 170 being distributed throughout the location by the owner/user. Fig. 1 shows a beacon 120 placed in a home bathroom. Fig. 1 shows a beacon 130 placed in a bedroom of a home. Fig. 1 shows a beacon 110 placed at the front door of a home. Fig. 1 shows a beacon 140 placed at a living room window in a home. Beacon 170 may also be placed in the kitchen of a home. Of course, the beacon may also be placed anywhere in or around a venue including a bed near a pet (beacon 160), a food/water bowl (beacon 150), or other locations that may need to be monitored, such as pet doors, furniture, receptacles, and the like. The dashed circles indicate the RF energy emitted from each beacon. As described further below, the solid circles 190 indicate a range or threshold distance from each beacon configured as an "action" or "threshold" distance.

FIG. 2 illustrates components of a monitoring/tracking/detection system according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a mobile device 210 running a smartphone application. The smartphone application is communicatively coupled to the ferrule devices 220, 230. As described further below, the smartphone application may transmit data to the boot device 220, 230 and control certain functions of the boot device 220, 230. The smartphone application may also receive data from a boot device, as described further below. Fig. 2 shows that the ferrule devices 220, 230 are communicatively coupled to beacons 240, 250, 260. As described further below, the ferrule device receives data periodically transmitted by the beacons 240, 250, 260 and otherwise communicates with the beacons 240, 250, 260. As described further below, the smartphone application 210 may assign certain functions directly to and otherwise communicate with the beacons 240, 250, 260.

As seen in fig. 1, the beacon is indicated by a point located in a selected area in an apartment, for example, a living room. The bluetooth enabled beacon may periodically transmit data including a unique identification number. A bluetooth enabled device, such as the ferrule device described herein, may receive periodically transmitted data, extract an identification number, and estimate the signal strength (i.e., received signal strength indication or "RSSI") of the transmission. The ferrule device can then use the signal strength to estimate the distance from the ferrule device to the transmitting beacon. The ferrule may be further aided in ranging calculations by utilizing calibration data contained within the beacon information. In addition, the ferrule device itself periodically transmits data including a unique identification number. According to one embodiment, the ferrule device cycles between a "transmit" mode and a "listen" mode. As one example, the boot device may periodically transmit data during a "transmit" period and then only receive incoming signals from in-range beacons/devices during a "listen" period. The ferrule may switch between a "transmit" period and a "listen" period at five second intervals. According to one embodiment, the beacon is similarly switched between a transmission mode and a listening mode.

According to one embodiment, the smartphone application may provide an "easy-to-use" configuration interface. The pet owner can start the application on the smart phone and complete the setup procedure using the configuration interface. For example, as seen in fig. 3, such an interface of an application may provide click buttons for a "beacon" discovery mode and a "ferrule" discovery mode. The user may select a "beacon" discovery mode according to this embodiment. The interface may then prompt the user to bring the smartphone device close to transmitting the beacon, i.e., within the transmission range of the beacon. In beacon discovery mode, the application may detect incoming bluetooth transmissions using one or more mobile device operating system APIs. Applications and mobile devices detect the periodically transmitted beacon signal and identify/store the unique identification number of the periodically transmitted beacon signal. The mobile device may use the strength of the incoming signal to estimate the distance from the beacon. According to one embodiment, the application may enable the availability of the discovery mode only in close proximity to where the beacon is transmitted. The user may repeat the process for each beacon that the user wishes to deploy in the venue. In this way, the application knows the identification number of each beacon deployed in the venue.

Continuing with this configuration example, the user runs the same application on the user's smartphone to configure the boot device for operation. As noted above, as seen in fig. 3, the interface of the application may provide click buttons for the "beacon" discovery mode and the "ferrule" discovery mode. The user may select a "ferrule" discovery mode according to this embodiment. The user brings the smartphone device close to the pet collar device, i.e., within the transmission range of the collar. In the boot configuration mode, the application may detect incoming bluetooth transmissions originating from the boot device using one or more mobile device operating system APIs. The application and the mobile device detect a periodically transmitted signal from the ferrule device and identify a unique identification number of the periodically transmitted signal. The mobile device can use the strength of the incoming signal to estimate the distance from the ferrule device. According to one embodiment, the application may enable the availability of the boot device discovery mode only in close proximity to the boot device. The user may repeat the process for each of the boot devices that the user wishes to deploy in the venue. In this way, the application knows the identification number of each beacon deployed in the venue.

In this way, the application can learn the unique identification numbers of the pet snare device and all venue beacons. It should be noted that fig. 3 provides a separate interface for discovering beacons and ferrule devices. However, the discovery mode interface may be integrated into the workflow of the beacon/ferrule configuration interface shown in fig. 4 and 6, and described further below. Note also that fig. 3 provides an upload monitoring data that allows for triggering the option of uploading data collected by the boot device to the smartphone.

The user may use the smartphone application to configure the ferrule (or ferrules) for operation, i.e., configure "ferrule-defined" functionality or enable identification of a particular "tag-defined" beacon. The ferrule itself performs a set of "active" and/or "passive" functions. Proximity beacons trigger one or more such functions that are defined by the user with respect to a particular beacon. In other words, for each deployed beacon, the user defines the functionality implemented by the boot that is triggered by the defined proximity of the boot into the particular beacon.

FIG. 4 illustrates an interface that allows a user to configure the ferrule-defined functionality with respect to a particular beacon. This system of this embodiment includes a single ferrule and multiple beacons. Screen 410 shows a beacon configuration option (as described below in relation to fig. 6), a ferrule configuration option, and an upload monitoring data option. (the upload monitor data option of screen 410 provides an option to trigger upload of data collected by the boot device to the smartphone). According to one embodiment, the user selects a ferrule configuration option and presents the ferrule configuration option on the screen 420. At this screen 420, the user may select a ferrule parameter or a beacon selector. The ferrule parameters option introduces an interface (not shown) for configuring functional parameters of the ferrule, such as correction levels. According to one embodiment, the user selects the beacon selector and proceeds to screen 430, which screen 430 lists the available beacons (e.g., door, kitchen, bathroom, bed, food) within the system. The user selects the kitchen beacon and is provided a selection between adding to and removing from the ferrule at screen 440. The user may choose to add to the ferrule to associate the kitchen beacon with the ferrule device. (the user may also choose to remove from the ferrule to separate the previously assigned beacon from the ferrule device). After associating the kitchen beacon with the ferrule device, the user sees the screen 450 with avoidance (avoidance) and monitoring options. The user may assign avoidance functions or monitoring functions to the kitchen beacons. After selecting avoidance, the user manipulates the interface selection (at screen 460) to assign stimulation functionality to the ferrule when the ferrule is within the selected range (level 1) of the beacon. Specifically, the user selects a negative stimulus (applied by the collar) as the avoidance function and specifies the corresponding range. The application interface may provide various stimulus functions (tones, stimuli, scents, etc.) and one or more ranges. For example, range level 1 indicates close proximity to the beacon. Range level 2 and range level 3 represent expanded threshold distances. After selecting the scope and functionality, the user may be presented with another screen (not shown) that allows the user to specify a permitted access time, e.g., a time when the boot does not apply the specified functionality when the boot device is within the specified scope. The embodiments are not limited in function and scope to that depicted in fig. 4. In this example, the user simply directs the boot to perform the avoidance function when the boot is within a proximity threshold distance of the beacon. Once the configuration selection for the ferrule/beacon combination is complete, the application may prompt the user to bring the application close to the ferrule device. The application may then transmit this configuration data to the pet collar device, which uses the data to build/maintain a database associating actions/functions with beacons (and corresponding unique identification numbers and permission times). In this manner, the user may assign a function to the boot for each beacon within the system.

Figure 5 shows a representative entry in the database that associates a beacon identification number 510 with avoidance function 530 and threshold distance 520. The representative database entry also includes the start time 540/end time 550 of the configured function. Such a database may use a relational database scheme to correlate values.

Continuing with this example, an operational pet collar device is close to a particular beacon and crosses a configured threshold distance. During this event, only the unique identification number is transmitted by the particular beacon. The ferrule device receives the signal, identifies the unique identification number, and uses the transmitted signal strength to estimate the distance from the beacon. The lasso device then performs a database lookup using the identification number to determine the allocated lasso function with respect to the beacon (e.g., negative stimulus) and the conditions for execution of the lasso device (e.g., location of the lasso device within a certain threshold distance and allowed time of execution). In this example, the ferrule determines that the function is delivery of a stimulus, and also resolves that the estimated distance from the ferrule to the beacon is less than a selected threshold distance (by comparing the estimated distance to a specified threshold distance). Thus, the leash device delivers avoidance stimuli to the pet wearing the leash device. It should be noted that the threshold distance may include a distance from a location or a range of such distances (including upper and lower boundaries).

In the above example, the assigned functions include user/ferrule defined functions. In other words, the user may assign functionality to the ferrule/beacon combination. For example, the user may wish to prevent a pet from jumping on the user's sofa. Thus, the user may assign avoidance functions to beacons positioned near the sofa, i.e., to the collar in relation to such beacons. However, the user may only wish to know the frequency with which the pet visits the water bowl during the day when the user leaves the venue, i.e., the user may only wish to track the pet's location. Thus, the user may assign the tracking function to a beacon located near the water bowl, i.e. to the collar in relation to such a beacon. The user then assigns a tracking function to the ferrule device through the application in the same manner as assigning an avoidance function (as described above). When the pet leash device is within a threshold distance of the beacon (and once the leash device processes the conditions for performing the assigned function based on the beacon/function/distance/time parameters), the pet leash device only records location data, such as the occurrence of a threshold crossing, the time of the threshold crossing, the duration of the pet's approach to the beacon, etc.). The tracking beacon in embodiments may also manage positive reinforcement, such as a frontal tone, if so configured by the user.

The flexibility of the system is evident in view of the second pet leasing device. Within the same monitored site, the configuration process described above may be used to assign functions to a second ferrule device associated with the same set of beacons. This set of functions may be completely different from those assigned to the first ferrule. This is possible because the beacon only transmits the identification number, while the ferrule device detects/extracts the identification number and then parses/executes the user-defined function based on the configuration data stored in the ferrule-specific database.

In contrast to "user-defined" functionality, a user may also dedicate a particular beacon to a particular task. For example, the user may use the application interface to assign the avoidance functionality directly to the beacon during setup. Examples of direct configuration of beacon-defined functionality using a smartphone application are provided below. According to one embodiment, the user launches the smartphone application, which provides an interface for assigning functionality directly to the beacon. Fig. 6 shows a screen 610, the screen 610 having beacon and ferrule configuration options and monitoring data options. For example, the user may select the beacon configuration option shown in fig. 6. The interface may then present all discovered beacons, i.e., up to "n" number of beacons discovered by the above process at the next screen 620 and as seen in fig. 6. (it should be understood that the beacons 1 through n may be replaced with the names of the monitored locations, e.g., kitchen, doors, windows, etc.). The user then selects a particular beacon (e.g., beacon 2) and then views the pet collar at screen 630 for configuration options for the selected beacon. Screen 630 shows avoidance and monitoring options representing the option of assigning avoidance or monitoring functions to beacons. (this ferrule-defined option provides the option of designating the beacon as ferrule-defined, meaning that the interaction of the beacon with the ferrule device is managed through configuration data maintained by the ferrule device, as described above with respect to FIG. 4). According to one embodiment, the user may specify the avoidance function at screen 630. The user is then presented with scope and action options as seen in fig. 6 at screen 640. When the ferrule is within the selected range of the beacon (level 1), the user manipulates the interface selection to assign the stimulation function to the ferrule. Specifically, the user selects a negative stimulus (applied by the collar) as the avoidance function and specifies the corresponding range. The application interface may provide various stimulus functions (tones, stimuli, scents, etc.) and one or more ranges. For example, range level 1 indicates close proximity to the beacon. Range level 2 and range level 3 represent expanded threshold distances. After selection of the scope and functionality, the user may be presented with another screen (not shown) that allows the user to specify a permitted access time, e.g., a time when the boot does not apply the specified functionality when the boot device is within the specified scope. The embodiments are not limited in scope and function to that depicted in fig. 6. Once the configuration selection for the beacon is complete, the application may prompt the user to bring the application into proximity with the beacon. The application may then transmit such configuration data (including function data, distance data and permission time data) to the beacon. The beacon encodes specific configuration data into data packets for inclusion in the periodic transmission of the beacon. Thus, a beacon periodically transmits both the beacon's identification number and configuration data to devices within range of the beacon. In this way, the user can assign functionality directly to each beacon within the system. According to one embodiment, the application also transmits the unique identification number of the specifically configured beacon to the ferrule device. In this manner, the ferrule device may monitor incoming beacon transmissions and confirm that the beacon is part of a system configured according to this embodiment.

As noted above, the user may use the application interface to directly assign avoidance functionality to the beacon during setup. During a setup operation, the application transmits such configuration data to the beacon of the particular task. (it should be noted that a beacon not only transmits data, but may also receive and store data from other beacons or devices). The transmitted data includes "feature data" (which encodes a particular feature in a data packet for inclusion in the periodic transmission of a beacon), a threshold distance (and, according to one embodiment, time allowed data). The application may also send the identification number of the beacon to the ferrule device storing such information. Thus, the beacon periodically transmits the beacon's identification number, functional data, and threshold distance (and grant time according to one embodiment) to devices within range of the beacon. In this example, the pet collar device may be proximate to a beacon that transmits an identification number and corresponding data. The ferrule device then extracts the identification number, "function data," distance data (and according to one embodiment, time allowed data) and uses the transmitted signal strength to estimate the distance from the beacon. The boot device may match the identification number with the stored beacon identification number to ensure that the particular beacon is part of the configured system, i.e., to ensure that the boot device should continue. The leash device may then use the embedded code in the pet leash to match "functional data" with the function type, e.g., avoidance, tracking, etc. Alternatively, the smartphone application may transmit such data to the boot device during a setup operation. In this example, the functional data corresponds to the avoidance task, i.e. the delivery of negative stimuli. The boot device then resolves whether the device is within a specified threshold distance (and within an appropriate time interval according to one embodiment). If so, the snare device performs the assigned function, i.e., delivering negative stimulation.

Fig. 7A illustrates an embodiment of beacon definition for beacon/device functionality. According to this embodiment, the beacon 710 transmits 720 the identification number, range (e.g., vicinity), and functional data of the beacon 710. (it should be noted that the range of distances may include a distance from a location or a range of such distances including upper and lower boundaries). The ferrule device uses the signal strength to estimate the distance from the transmitting beacon. The snare device 730 extracts functional data (corresponding to negative stimuli) and distance range information from the signal. The snare device interprets the functional data as a negative stimulation function and then applies a negative stimulation if the snare device determines that the snare device is within close range. The boot device may also record the time/duration of the event along with the corresponding identification number of the beacon.

Fig. 7B illustrates an embodiment of the ferrule definition of the beacon/device functionality. According to this embodiment, the beacon 740 (located near the sofa) transmits 750 only the unique identification number of the beacon. The ferrule device 760 then detects the transmission, identifies the identification number, and uses the signal strength to estimate the distance from the transmitting beacon. The boot device then uses the identification number to look up the configuration data. According to this embodiment, such data includes avoidance function (i.e., negative stimulation) and mid-range. (it should be noted that the range of distances may include a distance from a location or a range of such distances including upper and lower boundaries). If the snare device determines that the device is within the mid-range, then the snare device applies a negative stimulus. The boot device may also record the time/duration of the event along with the corresponding identification number of the beacon.

Fig. 8A shows a ferrule device 820 transmitting data to a smartphone 810 according to one embodiment. Fig. 8B illustrates two-way communication between the ferrule device 840 and the smartphone 830, according to one embodiment.

According to one embodiment, a home detection kit may be accompanied by a ferrule and corresponding beacon. A user may first register a smartphone application through an internet service provided by a company. The registration may provide the application with a unique device identification number for the beacon and the boot. Alternatively, as described in detail above, the application may discover the identification number during configuration.

According to one embodiment, the pet owner/user deploys beacons in the home. The user need only locate the beacon in the area of interest. Pet owners use ferrules in conjunction with smartphone applications to assign "avoidance" and/or "tracking" functions to the ferrule/beacon combination. As an example of assigning the "avoidance" function (using the procedure already described in detail above), the user first places a red sticker on the beacon. The user then approaches the beacon with a mobile device running a smartphone application. The application/device reads the unique identification of the beacon and reads the Receiver Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) value. The application then communicates with the collar to assign the functionality of the collar specific beacon when the pet collar is within the set range of the beacon. According to one embodiment, if a pet collar comes within a configured distance of a particular beacon, the collar triggers a negative stimulus and the time of the event is stored.

As an example of assigning a "tracking" function (using the procedure already described in detail above), the user first places a green sticker on the beacon. The user then approaches the beacon with a mobile device running a smartphone application. The application/device reads the unique identification of the beacon and reads the Receiver Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) value. The application then communicates with the collar to assign the functionality of the collar specific beacon when the pet collar is within the set range of the beacon. According to one embodiment, if a pet collar comes within a configured distance of a particular beacon, the collar will record the occurrence of the event and/or transmit a positive reinforcement stimulus. The boot may also store the time of the event.

As the pet wearing the collar moves around the home, the collar collects data while controlling the pet's whereabouts through stimulation events triggered by proximity to the "red" beacon and tracking events triggered by proximity to the "green" beacon. When the ferrule is within range of the smartphone application, the ferrule transmits all the collected/queued data to the application, which can then display this information. The user may also transmit immediate avoidance/tracking commands to the ferrule.

Fig. 9 shows an application interface that allows a user to select among beacon locations. The user may select "food" and then direct the user to another page with tracking data. In this example (as seen in FIG. 9), the interface shows that the user's pet is within the pet water bowl configuration range from 11:15 to 11:20 at night.

Fig. 10 shows a "remote trainer" interface page for an application running on a smartphone 1010. The user may select the "+" button to direct the ferrule 1020 to deliver a positive stimulus. The user may select the "-" button to direct the collar 1020 to give a negative stimulus.

According to one embodiment, a bluetooth LE module is used in the beacon and the ferrule of the above-described system and method. Alternatively, unique RF beacons may be specifically designed for such detection/tracking/monitoring systems described herein.

According to one embodiment, one or more of the pet collar device, beacon, and smartphone may be communicatively coupled with a local router via Wi-Fi or WPAN communication protocols to provide communicative coupling with a wide area network, a metropolitan area network, and with the general internet. Thus, each such device is communicatively coupled to a remote cloud computing platform that includes one or more applications running on at least one processor of a remote server. Thus, the ferrule/beacon/smartphone may transmit data to and/or receive data from the cloud computing platform.

According to one embodiment, the beacon may include a green side and a red side. The beacon may automatically be configured to "track" the location if placed green side up. If placed with the red side up, the beacon may be automatically configured to the "ducking" position.

It should be understood that the systems and methods described herein are merely illustrative. Other arrangements may be employed according to the embodiments set forth below. Moreover, variations of the systems and methods described herein may follow the spirit of the embodiments set forth herein.

FIG. 11 includes a method of monitoring objects in a venue in accordance with one embodiment. Step 1110 includes placing a wearable device on an object movable within a venue. Step 1120 includes placing communication modules at one or more locations in the venue, wherein each communication module periodically transmits a unique number, wherein an application running on a processor of the computing platform detects and stores each unique number of one or more communication modules selected from the at least one communication module, wherein the communication modules, the wearable device, and the application are communicatively coupled by wireless communication. Step 1130 includes organizing the link information by linking each unique number of one or more communication modules selected from the at least one communication module with a distance value and a function, wherein the organizing includes applying the organizing link information and transmitting the link information to the wearable device. Step 1140 includes the wearable device detecting a transmission of a communication module of the one or more communication modules. Step 1150 includes the wearable device using the detected transmitted information to identify a unique number of the communication module and estimate a distance from the wearable device to a location of the communication module. Step 1160 includes the wearable device identifying a function and a distance value corresponding to the communication module using the linking information. Step 1170 includes the wearable device performing the function when the estimated distance meets at least one criterion on the distance value.

Systems and methods for monitoring objects in a venue are described in detail above. In accordance with this disclosure, fig. 2 illustrates a system for monitoring/tracking/detecting activity of a subject within a venue. Fig. 2 shows a mobile device 210 running a smartphone application. The smartphone application is communicatively coupled to the ferrule devices 220, 230. As described above, the smartphone application may transmit data to the boot device 220, 230 and control certain functions of the boot device 220, 230. As described above, the smartphone application may also receive data from the boot device. Fig. 2 shows a ferrule device 220, 230 communicatively coupled to a beacon 240, 250, 260. As described above, the ferrule device receives data periodically transmitted by the beacons 240, 250, 260 and otherwise communicates with the beacons 240, 250, 260. As described above, the smartphone application 210 may assign certain functions directly to and otherwise communicate with the beacons 240, 250, 260.

According to the above embodiments, a monitoring/tracking/detection system includes one or more ferrule devices, one or more beacons, and at least one smartphone running an application and providing user interaction with such a system. However, additional embodiments of the monitoring/tracking/detection system can include additional sensors or devices that actively monitor and manage the health and well-being of observed objects within the protected/monitored facility. These additional sensors/devices include a ferrule device sensor, an environmental sensor, and a motion or activity sensor. However, it should be noted that these additional sensors/devices of the monitoring/tracking/detection system may represent one or more components from any single sensor/device class or from any combination of sensor/device classes.

Ferrule equipment sensor

The ferrule device itself may include sensing devices for monitoring the health and well-being of the subject wearing the ferrule device. These sensing devices can monitor biological and physiological indicators of the subject wearing the cuff device. The sensing device may also monitor the motion and activity parameters of the subject wearing the cuff device. The object may include an animal, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. According to this embodiment, the ferrule device comprises one or more of the following monitoring/sensing devices:

the snare device may comprise a heart rate sensor for monitoring the heart rate.

The cuff device may comprise an electrocardiogram to monitor the electrical activity of the heart (EKG or ECG).

The cuff device may comprise one or more blood pressure sensors to monitor the blood pressure level.

The cuff device may comprise one or more respiration rate sensors for monitoring the respiration rate.

The snare device may comprise one or more temperature sensors for monitoring the body temperature.

The collar device may comprise accelerometers and/or gyroscopes to monitor activity level and activity type.

The ferrule device may comprise one or more acoustic sensors or one or more sensors for detecting the frequency, amplitude and source of the audio signal.

The ferrule device may comprise one or more piezoelectric sensors and/or transducers. Such sensors/transducers are devices that measure changes in pressure, acceleration, temperature, strain or force by converting them into electrical charge using the piezoelectric effect.

The ferrule arrangement may comprise one or more lightning sensors for detecting lightning.

It should be noted that the ferrule arrangement is not limited to the conventional configuration of ferrules. Rather, the collar device may comprise any wearable device that can position the sensor device at various physical locations on the object wearing the device. Further, the ferrule may be communicatively coupled with one or more of the sensors described above, and these sensors are also positioned at various physical locations on an object external to the ferrule device. As just one example, the transducer may be positioned on the animal's neck and may detect barking, howling or other sounds produced by the animal.

Environmental sensor

The environmental sensors may be distributed throughout the site of the monitoring/tracking/detection system. These sensors monitor and detect environmental parameters of the site. The environmental sensors may include temperature sensors, moisture sensors, humidity sensors, air pressure sensors, and/or air quality condition sensors. The environmental sensors may include one or more acoustic sensors or one or more sensors for detecting the frequency, amplitude and source of the audio signals. The environmental sensor may include one or more piezoelectric sensors and/or transducers. Such sensors/transducers are devices that measure changes in pressure, acceleration, temperature, strain or force by converting them into electrical charge using the piezoelectric effect. The environmental sensors may include one or more lightning sensors for detecting lightning.

However, the monitoring/tracking/detection system may obviously contain a lesser or greater number and type of environmental sensors. Such an environmental sensor may be directly attached to or incorporated within the beacon. According to this embodiment, the environmental sensor is electrically connected to the beacon. Alternatively, the environmental sensor may be located proximate to the beacon. According to this embodiment, the environmental sensor may be in wired or wireless communication with the beacon. According to another embodiment, the environmental sensor may be positioned at a location that detects an overall condition of the environment. According to the above embodiments, the environmental sensor may communicate (i) directly with the ferrule device or (ii) with the ferrule device through an intermediate beacon device. The environmental sensor according to one embodiment is bluetooth enabled and capable of bluetooth low energy protocol communication.

Mobile device

The activity or action devices may be distributed throughout the venue of the monitoring/tracking/detection system. According to one embodiment, the active device may be electrically connected to or incorporated within another device. For example, the active device may represent a switch that controls the operation or function of other devices, such as water flow in a dispensing device (dispensing device), management of food quantity/type in a food dispensing device, and the like. Further, the active device may represent a switch that monitors the thermostat level. As another example, the activity device itself may comprise a toy or an audio playback device. Such a device according to one embodiment is bluetooth enabled and capable of bluetooth low energy protocol communications.

Further, the collar device and/or activity device described herein may include a microphone for transmitting signals or for receiving, interpreting, and executing audible instructions using voice recognition. It should be noted that any of the sensors described herein may be equipped with a transceiver and the sensor may be communicatively coupled with a microphone that enables one or more transceivers. Thus, such sensors may be voice controlled, i.e. may receive instructions initially received by one or more microphones. According to one embodiment, the disclosed microphone may interpret such instructions using speech recognition and then forward the instructions to one or more communicatively coupled sensors.

Of course, it should be noted that fewer or greater numbers and/or types of ferrule device sensors, environmental devices, and active devices may be included in the monitoring/tracking/detection system of an embodiment.

Fig. 12 illustrates components of a monitoring/tracking/detection system including additional devices and sensors that provide proactive health and welfare functions, according to one embodiment. The wireless network 1200 of fig. 12 includes a bootstrapped device 1210, a beacon device 1240, and a mobile device 1230 running a smartphone application, according to one embodiment. The snare device includes a snare device sensor 1220. Fig. 12 shows an environmental sensor 1250 communicatively coupled to a beacon 1240 and an environmental sensor 1260 communicatively coupled to the beacon 1240. Fig. 12 also shows an active device 1270 communicatively connected to the beacon 1240 and an active device 1280 communicatively connected to the beacon 1240. Fig. 12 also shows that environmental sensors 1250, 1260 and active devices 1270, 1280 may be communicatively connected directly to the ferrule device 1210 and may also communicate with the ferrule device 1210 through beacons 1240. The mobile device of fig. 12 is communicatively coupled to components 1240, 1250, 1260, 1270 and 1280 via a wireless network 1200.

Note that fig. 12 shows the components of a monitoring/tracking/detection system that includes a single beacon and a single ferrule device. Of course, such a system may include multiple beacons and multiple ferrule devices. Further note that fig. 12 discloses environmental sensors located in a location remote from the beacon. Alternatively, the beacon itself includes one or more environmental sensors. According to this embodiment, such an environmental sensor is electrically connected to and incorporated within the beacon. Further, fig. 12 shows a monitoring/tracking/detection system with a ferrule device sensor, an environmental sensor, and an active device. However, the monitoring/tracking/detection system may include any single or combined use of sensors/devices from any sensor/device class (i.e., collar, environment, or activity) or any combination of classes.

Operation of the "proactive health and well-being" monitoring/tracking/detecting system involves interaction of bluetooth-enabled ferrule device sensors, environmental sensors, and/or active devices. As noted above, the snare device itself includes sensors that monitor biological, physiological, and motion parameters of a subject wandering in the environment of the monitored site. The environmental sensor simultaneously monitors and detects the environmental conditions of the site. Each environmental sensor then periodically transmits such monitoring/detection data. Each such environmental sensor may be directly paired (or associated) with a respective beacon, i.e., a particular beacon may detect, receive, and store data periodically transmitted by the associated environmental sensor data. The beacon may then bundle the received sensor data into its own periodic broadcast transmission. As can be seen from the above discussion, the beacon and the ferrule device interact within the venue in either the ferrule defined mode or the beacon defined mode. In the ferrule-defined mode, the beacon transmits the identification number (along with other data) periodically. A ferrule moving within the communication range of the beacon receives the transmission and extracts the identification number. The ferrule device then uses an internal data table to match the identification number to the avoidance/interaction function. Alternatively, the beacon itself may determine the behavior of the ferrule device, i.e., the beacon may transmit identification and functional data to the ferrule device "in range". In either configuration, the beacon may only incorporate collected environmental sensor data into the periodic transmission of the beacon, such that a "in-range" ferrule device in turn detects environmental sensor data associated with a particular beacon. Alternatively, each environmental sensor may periodically transmit data for detection by any "in-range" ferrule device wandering within the wireless communication network of the overall monitoring/tracking/detection system. According to one embodiment, the environmental sensor transmission may include a unique identification number for a component of the monitoring/tracking/detection system.

Environmental sensors may be associated with specific beacons or may be positioned to monitor the overall environmental conditions of the venue. In this manner, the environmental sensor may monitor macro environmental conditions within the venue or micro environmental conditions in the vicinity of or associated with a particular beacon.

In operation of an "active health and welfare" monitoring/tracking/detecting system, a ferrule device collects a large amount of information as it wanders throughout the monitored site. First, the boot device may collect data related to avoidance/tracking events (also referred to herein as avoidance/interaction events) triggered by proximity to a particular beacon. (Note that the recording of avoidance/tracking events and information related thereto is disclosed in detail above). Second, the snare device includes one or more sensors for monitoring/tracking/detecting physiological and motion indicators associated with the subject wearing the snare. Third, the ferrule device detects and receives data from the following environmental sensors: (i) distributed throughout the venue and/or (ii) located within a beacon. The cuffed device may collect and process avoidance/interaction data, cuffed device sensor data (including physiological and athletic activity data of the subject wearing the cuffed), and/or environmental sensor data to determine specific needs. As just one example and as described further below, the combination of avoidance/interaction data, physiological condition data, and/or environmental sensor data may indicate that the animal wearing the collar does not eat or drink an appropriate amount of food/water.

Based on the determination of the need, i.e. the need to cause an increase in food/water intake, the cuffed device may interact with the action or activity devices distributed throughout the site, i.e. the cuffed device may activate the functional change in the activity device, thereby addressing the need. For example, an active device may represent a bluetooth enabled switch that controls the operation or function of other devices. For example, if the ferrule device determines a need to cause an increase in water intake, the ferrule device may communicate with a bluetooth enabled switch that switches a fountain motor of the water bowl. The communication may activate the fountain motor to encourage drinking. According to this embodiment, the bootstrapped device is communicatively coupled to the active device through the WPAN network described above with respect to fig. 12. The boot device may exchange data directly with the active device or may communicate with the active device through a beacon associated or paired with such active device.

As noted above, the cuffed device may collect and process avoidance/interaction data, cuffed device sensor data (including physiological conditions and athletic activity of the subject wearing the cuffed), and environmental sensor data to determine specific needs. It should be noted that the ferrule device may use any single data type, i.e., avoidance/interaction data type, ferrule device sensor data type, and environmental data type, or any combination of data types to determine the need. Once the need is determined, the lasso device may determine and guide the change in function of the active device within the premises of the monitoring/tracking/detection system. The boot device may exchange data directly with the action/activity device or may communicate with the action/activity device through a beacon associated or paired with such activity device. Thus, data collection and analysis may be performed by the ferrule device. However, data collection and analysis may also occur at the cloud computing level.

As described above with respect to fig. 12, the pet collar device, beacons, smart phones, environmental sensors, and activity devices may be communicatively coupled via WPAN-compatible communications (e.g., bluetooth communication protocol according to one embodiment) with a local router or communication hub that provides communicative coupling with a wide area network, metropolitan area network, and generally the broader internet. Each such networked device within the monitoring/tracking/detection system may thus be communicatively coupled to a remote cloud computing platform comprising one or more applications running on at least one processor of a remote server. Thus, the ferrule/beacon/smartphone, environmental sensor, and/or active device may transmit and/or receive data to and/or from the cloud computing platform. According to this embodiment, the cuffed device may collect and forward avoidance/interaction data, cuffed device sensor data (including physiological conditions and/or athletic activity of the subject wearing the cuffed), and/or environmental sensor data. In other words, the boot device may collect and forward such data to a remote application running on a remote computing platform, which may then itself analyze the data to determine the particular needs of the object wearing the boot device. Once the needs are determined, the remote application may determine and direct a change in functionality of the active device within the premises of the monitoring/tracking/detection system. The remote application may communicate with the boot device, which then transmits the function change information to the active device to trigger an action directed to addressing the identified need (as described above). Alternatively, the remote application may communicate the function change information directly to a beacon, which then communicates with and controls the active device accordingly. Further, the remote application may communicate directly with the active device.

As described above, the ferrule/beacon/smartphone, environmental sensor, and/or active device may transmit data to and/or receive data from the cloud computing platform. According to this embodiment, the cuffed device may collect and forward avoidance/interaction data, cuffed device sensor data (including physiological conditions and/or athletic activity of the subject wearing the cuffed), and/or environmental sensor data. In other words, the boot device may collect such data and forward such data to a remote application running on a remote computing platform. The remote application may then transmit the data to an application running on the smartphone or other mobile computing platform. The smartphone application may then analyze the data to determine the particular needs of the subject wearing the bootstrapped device. Once the needs are determined, the smartphone application can determine and direct a change in functionality of the active device within the premises of the monitoring/tracking/detecting system. The smartphone application may then transmit the function change information to a remote application running on the at least one processor of the remote server.

According to one embodiment, the smartphone application determines the requirements based on any single data type, i.e., avoidance/interaction data type, ferrule device sensor data type, and environmental data type, or based on any combination of data types. The smartphone application may present the user with an interface that alerts the user to any currently identified needs. The interface may also recommend an action plan to address the need, i.e., recommend a particular action or operation of the active device to address the need. The user may select or ignore the recommended action scheme. The smartphone application may then communicate the functionality change information to a remote computing platform, which may then process such information in the manner already described above.

A user may use a smartphone application to configure the response of an automated cloud computing platform or a boot device to the identified demand. As described above, the avoidance/interaction data, the ferrule device sensor data, and/or the environmental sensor data may be analyzed by the ferrule device, the remote computing platform, or the smartphone application. The ferrule device, remote computing platform, or smartphone application may use any single data type, i.e., avoidance/interaction data type, ferrule device sensor data type, and environmental data type, or any combination of data types to determine the need. In other words, the requirements may include any single instance or combination of avoidance/interaction data, ferrule device sensor data, and environmental data. The user may use the smartphone application to associate the active device actions with defined instances or combinations of avoidance/interaction data, ferrule device sensor data, and environmental data. The smartphone application, the boot device, or the remote computing platform may then automatically apply remedial measures, i.e., active device actions, upon detecting/identifying the respective need.

The smartphone application may provide the user with remote active device control. The user may simply manually control the venue activity device as opposed to the automated activity device response and as opposed to accepting or rejecting the activity device recommendation. As already indicated above (and described in further detail below), the user may be alerted to the venue activity, i.e., the detected/identified need, through the smartphone application interface. The user may then manually direct the active device in the venue to perform a particular function or operation, thereby addressing the detected/identified need.

The following disclosure provides examples of use cases for an "active health and wellness" monitoring/tracking/detection system. To provide a use case example, assume that the cuffed device includes the following sensors for measuring biological and physiological indicators of the subject wearing the cuffed device: heart rate sensors, electrocardiograms, blood pressure sensors, respiration rate sensors, and temperature sensors. Such devices indicate physiological conditions in real time. The cuffed device may also include an activity monitor (e.g., an accelerometer and a gyroscope) that indicates in real time a physical activity level of a subject wearing the cuffed device. Further with respect to the use case example described below, it is assumed that environmental sensors are distributed throughout the site of the monitoring/tracking/detection system. With respect to the examples provided below, the environmental sensors include temperature, moisture, humidity, air pressure, and/or air quality condition sensors. In addition, the mobile devices are also distributed throughout the facility. The active device may control the function, operation, or performance of the additional device. For example, the movable device may control the dispensing mechanism of the food/water dispenser or the level of a thermostat. As already described in detail above, the bootstrapped devices (including bootstrapped device sensors), beacons, environmental sensors, and active devices are communicatively coupled via a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN). According to this embodiment, the WPAN uses a bluetooth low energy communication protocol to enable wireless communication between the devices. It should be noted that use case examples may include additional types and numbers of collar sensors, environmental sensors, and active devices as needed for a particular example.

Example of use cases

The avoidance/interaction data, the cuff device sensor data (including physiological condition data and activity level data), and/or environmental sensor data are received, monitored, and collected by the cuff device. The snare device may incorporate a subset of physiological conditions, physical activity levels, environmental sensor data, and/or interaction events (with respect to food and water bowls) to determine whether intake requirements are met. If not, … …

The ferrule device may trigger the water dispensing device to encourage drinking by adding flavouring;

the snare device may encourage drinking by activating the fountain motor;

the collar device may trigger the food dispensing device to dispense the treats to encourage eating.

Example of use cases

The snare device may activate the toy (i.e. the activity device) to encourage activity;

the ferrule device may communicate with the temperature control device to adjust the temperature to encourage or prevent activity;

the snare device may activate the audio playback device to provide quiet or stimulating ambient sounds, noise, tones, music, etc.

The collar device may communicate with an activity device controlling the opening/closing of the door, i.e. the door may be locked or unlocked to encourage or prevent physical activity close to a given beacon.

Example of use cases

The snare device may communicate with and activate the toy to encourage the wearer of the snare device to engage in alternative activities.

The ferrule device may trigger the treat dispenser to dispense treats as a disturbance.

Example of use cases

The avoidance/interaction data, the cuff device sensor data (including physiological condition data and activity level data), and/or environmental sensor data are received, monitored, and collected by the cuff device. Thus, the collar device may receive/process data from the food dispenser sensor indicating that the food dispenser is in a jammed condition. The boot may then report the condition to at least one application running on a remote server (i.e., a cloud computing platform). In turn, the cloud computing platform may forward alerts regarding the condition to the smartphone application using a typical internet connection. The cloud computing platform may provide such alerts through text messaging, email, or a smartphone application interface. In this way, the user can remotely monitor the status of the food dispenser.

Example of use cases

The snare device may communicate with and activate a toy (i.e. activity) device within the venue to encourage activity, while also monitoring subject response using the snare device activity monitor;

-if the measured weight is too high, the collar device may interact with the food dispenser to limit the amount of food dispensed via the feeder; alternatively, if the measured weight is too low, the collar device may interact with the food dispenser to provide an excessive amount of food;

the ferrule device can interact with the food weight scale to monitor the actual amount of food consumed;

the cuff device may monitor the subject's response to environmental changes through physiological sensors within the cuff.

Example of use cases

The snare device may communicate with the toy and activate the toy to provide interference;

the ferrule device may communicate with and activate the snack dispenser to provide interference;

the ferrule device may communicate with and activate the active noise cancellation system to minimize the noise level.

Example of use cases

The avoidance/interaction data, the cuff device sensor data (including physiological condition data and activity level data), and/or environmental sensor data are received, monitored, and collected by the cuff device. Thus, the snare device can monitor and process data from the co-located biosensor indicating a health state. Such sensors may be external to the subject and may monitor a biometric of the subject from a distance. The boot may then report the monitored features to at least one application running on a remote server (i.e., a cloud computing platform). In turn, the cloud computing platform may forward alerts regarding such functionality to the smartphone application using a typical internet connection. The cloud computing platform may provide such alerts through text messages, email, or a smartphone application interface.

It should be noted that in the use case example provided above, the collar device analyzes the avoidance/interaction data, collar device sensor data, and environmental sensor data to identify conditions and requirements within the monitored site. The boot device may then communicate with the active device and instruct the active device to perform certain functions to address such needs or conditions. In each use case example, the boot device may then report the conditions, requirements, and actions to at least one application running on a remote server (i.e., a cloud computing platform). In turn, the cloud computing platform may forward conditions, requirements, and actions to the smartphone application in the form of alerts or notifications using a typical internet connection. The cloud computing platform may provide such alerts or notifications through text messages, email, or a smartphone application interface. In this way, the user can remotely monitor the status of the monitoring/tracking/detection system in real time.

It should be noted that in the use case example above, the avoidance/interaction data, the snare device sensor data (including the physiological condition of the subject wearing the snare), and the environmental sensor data are collected and analyzed by the snare device to determine the need. The ferrule device then interacts with the action/activity device to address the need. However, the boot device may simply collect such critical data and forward such critical data to a remote application running on a remote computing platform, which may then analyze the data to determine the particular needs of the subject wearing the boot device. Once the needs are determined, the remote application may determine and direct a change in functionality of the active device within the premises of the monitoring/tracking/detection system. The remote application may communicate with the ferrule device, which then transmits the function change information to the active device to trigger an action directed to addressing the identified need. Additionally (and as described above), the smartphone application itself may analyze the bootstrapped device, environment, and/or avoidance interaction data to diagnose needs and the smartphone application itself may guide function changes within the venue.

It should be noted that in the disclosures and examples provided above, the active device typically controls the operation and performance of some other device at the monitored site. However, in the above-described embodiment, such a mobile device itself may be used as the environment sensor.

The wireless network of fig. 12 may include a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN). A Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) is a personal area network for interconnecting devices, usually centered around the living space or working space of an individual. The wireless PAN is based on the standard IEEE 802.15. One wireless technology for a WPAN includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard for personal area networks. Bluetooth low energy communication uses short-range radio waves to connect devices such as keyboards, pointing devices, audio headsets, printers, laptops, computers, embedded microcontrollers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), smart phones, desks, routers, sensor devices, monitoring devices, smart televisions, and streaming media devices. Alternatively, WPANs may also use wireless USB, Zigbee, or Z-Wave communication protocols to enable communication between networking components. The WPAN may be used for communication between personal devices themselves (intra personal communication), or for connection to higher level networks and the internet (uplink).

Fig. 13 shows a system for monitoring objects in a venue. The system includes 1310 at least one communication module, a wearable device, and an application running on a processor of a mobile computing device, wherein the at least one communication module, the wearable device, and the mobile device application are communicatively coupled. The system includes 1320 at least one application running on one or more processors remote from a server of the at least one communication module, the wearable device, and the mobile device application, wherein the at least one application is communicatively coupled with the at least one communication module, the wearable device, and the mobile device application. The system includes 1330 placing each communication module at a location in the venue where each communication module periodically transmits a unique number, where the mobile device application detects each unique number of the at least one communication module. The system includes 1340 a mobile device application organizes linking information that includes linking each unique number of at least one communication module with a function, wherein the mobile device application transmits the linking information to the wearable device. The system includes detecting 1350 a transmission of a communication module of the at least one communication module by the wearable device, the wearable device identifying a unique number of the communication module using information of the detected transmission, the wearable device identifying a function corresponding to the unique number using the linking information, the wearable device performing the function when at least one criterion is satisfied. The system includes 1360 the wearable device transmitting the venue information to one or more of: at least one application and a mobile device application, wherein the venue information includes information of the performed function. The system includes 1370 one or more of the following uses the locale information to determine a need for an object wearing the wearable device: a wearable device, at least one application, and a mobile device application.

Fig. 14 shows a system for monitoring objects in a venue. The system includes 1410 at least one communication module, a wearable device, an application running on a processor of a mobile computing platform, and a plurality of active devices, wherein the at least one communication module, the wearable device, the application, and the plurality of active devices are communicatively coupled by wireless communication. The system includes 1420 at least one communication module including at least one environmental sensor, wherein the at least one environmental sensor detects environmental sensor information of a venue. The system includes 1430 placing each communication module at a location in the venue, wherein each communication module periodically transmits a unique number and detected environmental sensor information, wherein the application detects each unique number of the at least one communication module. The system includes 1440 applying tissue linking information, the tissue linking information including linking each unique number of at least one communication module with a distance value and a function, wherein the application transmits the linking information to the wearable device. The system includes 1450 a wearable device including one or more sensors that monitor physiological and motion data of a subject wearing the wearable device. The system includes 1460 the wearable device detecting a transmission of a communication module of the at least one communication module, the wearable device using information of the detected transmission to extract detected environmental sensor information, identify a unique number of the communication module, and estimate a distance from the wearable device to a location of the communication module, the wearable device using the linking information to identify a corresponding function and a distance value, the wearable device performing the function when the estimated distance satisfies at least one criterion with respect to the distance value. The system includes 1470 the wearable device determining a need for an object wearing the wearable device using at least one of: detected environmental sensor information, information of functions performed, and information of monitored physiological and motion data, wherein the wearable device communicates with at least one active device of the plurality of active devices to address the need through an action of the at least one active device.

The components of the monitoring/tracking/detection system are described above. According to one embodiment of such a system, a beacon located in a home environment periodically transmits data. Bluetooth enabled receivers, i.e., RF receivers, may wander around the environment and detect data when the receiver is in close proximity to a beacon. The data includes a beacon identification number. The receiver may then perform an action by using the look-up table to associate a particular beacon identification number with a function. According to an alternative embodiment, the receiver may perform only the function of encoding in the transmitted data itself. In either case, the RF beaconing may enable wireless exchange of information.

RF beaconing includes a method of transferring data from one RF device to another. According to one embodiment, the beacon data is intended for an RF receiver in close proximity to the RF beacon transmitter. An example of this is the apple standardized iBeacon protocol. The technology enables smart phones, tablets, and other devices to perform actions when in close proximity to iBeacon. According to one embodiment, a shopper can walk on the aisle of a grocery store with a smartphone in his or her hand. A Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) receiver in a shopper's handset can receive iBeacon data transmitted from store shelves that release specials for nearby items. The receiver will typically monitor its "received signal strength indication" (RSSI) to indicate the approximate distance from the beacon itself, which is located near the particular merchandise. If the receiver determines that the shopper is within a certain threshold distance from a particular item, the smartphone may report the detected information about the item to the user through one or more smartphone applications. The shopper can then scan nearby shelves for specific items released in a particular form.

The RF receiver may need to know the actual range to the beacon without human intelligent intervention, or even distinguish between two nearby beacon transmissions received at the same time. Systems and methods for distinguishing between two nearby beacon transmissions received simultaneously are described below.

In general, the actual range from the receiver to the transmitter may be estimated based on the RSSI value at the receiving side. The problem is that this value may vary greatly based on antenna orientation, environment, obstacles, proximity of the receiver to the body, and many other factors. The difference (variance) may be mitigated by averaging the RSSI values of multiple beacon transmissions. This approach helps to reduce, but not eliminate, the variance. The functional system takes these RSSI differences into account when determining the expected activation range. For example, it must be understood that the RSSI value may represent any distance from 1 meter to 3 meters, depending on the orientation of the beacon transmitter relative to the nearby body and the location of the RF receiver on the body itself.

This approach may be acceptable in some use cases, but not in all. For example, the system may be required to activate only when in close proximity to a beacon; alternatively, when another beacon device is in close proximity, the system may be required to determine whether it is in close proximity to the first beacon device. In other words, the first beacon may act as a location proxy for the first location, while the second beacon may act as a location proxy for the second location. When transmissions from two beacons are received simultaneously, a simple RSSI distance estimate may produce a false positive detection event, i.e., a false detection of proximity "being" in "with respect to one or both of the locations.

A pet monitoring system provides an example of a problem according to one embodiment. In system operation, assume a dog collar includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) receiver. Assume further that various products distributed throughout the monitored environment are equipped with BLE beacons. Each beacon broadcasts data about the corresponding device. According to one embodiment, examples of beacon-enabled devices may include:

-a pet food bowl broadcasting: function (food bowl; record pet proximity), battery level, and transmit power (to help the receiver calibrate the RSSI from different power level beacons);

-a pet water bowl broadcasting: function (water bowl; record pet proximity) and transmit power (help receiver calibrate RSSI from different power level beacons);

-a beacon buried under the mattress of the sofa, broadcasting: function (avoidance; correct pet if it is too close), battery level, and transmit power (help receiver calibrate RSSI from different power level beacons).

Some applications of pet monitoring systems require only coarse RSSI resolution. As one example, a pet wanders around in the monitored environment of the pet monitoring system and approaches an avoidance beacon buried under a sofa cushion. A BLE enabled pet collar, i.e., receiver, monitors beacon transmissions and associated RSSI levels according to one embodiment. When the RSSI level exceeds a specified threshold, the following determination is made: the pet has entered an area where correction is to be applied to encourage the pet to retreat. The area need not be a precise distance, as long as it is sufficient for the pet to be away from the sofa cushion.

As the pet, i.e., the BLE-enabled pet collar of the pet monitoring system, continues to wander around in the monitored environment, the pet may approach the area where the beacon-enabled water bowl and the beacon-enabled food bowl are located. According to one embodiment, the pet collar records the duration of access to the water bowl, the period of time the pet wearing the collar drinks from the water bowl (i.e., in close proximity), and the duration of access to the food bowl from which the pet wearing the collar eats (i.e., in close proximity). This is a very difficult task to perform with RSSI signal levels because the error criteria inherent in RSSI distance estimation obscure the distinction between "near the bowl" and "at the bowl". If the water bowl and food bowl are in close proximity to each other, the collar receiver may detect both signals in a closely overlapping region, thereby making it impossible to distinguish the signal sources. According to one embodiment, the receiver may know that the first transmission is from a food bowl because the transmission includes identification data. Likewise, the receiver may know that the second transmission is from the water bowl because the transmission includes the identification data. The receiver, however, cannot distinguish the proximity of the pet to any one object, meaning that the receiver cannot determine that the pet is very close to one object and not another.

RSSI is typically used for proximity determination between the receiver and the advertising beacon. However, RSSI estimates may be affected by positioning, obstructions, environment, and many other factors. Differences in the detected RSSI levels may result in one or more of the following:

over-sampling and averaging multiple readings over time, which then extends the proximity determination time;

allowing a large tolerance in the proximity determination, i.e. allowing a large range of RSSI values to be mapped to discrete distance estimates;

failure to distinguish between nearby beacon-equipped objects due to similarity of RSSI values detected simultaneously from co-located beacons.

According to one embodiment, the proximity determination capability of an RF receiver based on a typical, inaccurate Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) may be enhanced with distance-determination (range-determination) techniques. Such techniques may be located within the circuitry that broadcasts the beacon. The distance determination technique detects environmental data within the range of the beacon. The RF beacon may include information of such data, i.e., conditions, distance determinations, time determinations, events, and environmental phenomena, in the data transmission of the RF beacon. The RF receiver can use this information to more accurately calculate the distance between the beacon and the RF receiver.

According to one embodiment, examples of distance determination techniques include one or more of the following:

-a capacitive sensor: the presence of objects, including human and animal bodies, that are conductive or have a dielectric different from air is detected.

-an inductive sensor: the presence of a metal object is detected.

-infrared ranging: the first type detects the presence of an object within a certain range from the transmitter.

-infrared ranging: the second type uses two-way ranging to measure the distance of an object from a transmitter.

Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors: an object moving within the field of view is detected.

-ultrasonic ranging: the distance of the object from the transmitter is measured.

-a laser: the distance of the object from the transmitter is accurately measured.

-a magnetic sensor: the presence of a magnetic object is detected.

According to one embodiment, the RSSI proximity estimate is performed as follows:

the RF beacon transmits data packets as planned (i.e. once per second; once every 200 milliseconds; etc.)

-the RF receiver detecting the transmission of the beacon.

-the RF receiver decoding the transmission.

-the RF receiver calculates the RSSI of the RF beacon transmission. Note that for applications requiring greater accuracy, RSSI values corresponding to multiple packets from a beacon of interest are averaged together.

-based on the calculated RSSI result, the RF receiver determines an estimated distance between the RF receiver and the RF beacon.

The distance determination based on the calculated RSSI values may be inaccurate because such values are significantly affected by positioning, obstacles and environment. If the range and/or beacon discrimination based on the RSSI readings is acceptable for the application, the process is complete and if the ranging threshold is exceeded, the RF receiver performs an action.

If range estimation and/or beacon discrimination based on RSSI readings is not acceptable for a given application, the RF beacon circuitry may be enhanced by adding one or more presence/ranging techniques capable of detecting the presence of and/or range of nearby objects. The RF beacon may include the result of presence/ranging data detected in the RF beacon transmission. The RF receiver may analyze the range of the RF receiver relative to the RF beacon using the initial RSSI range determination and presence/ranging data included in the RF beacon transmission. If the enhanced range determination satisfies the ranging threshold applied by the RF receiver, then the RF receiver may perform its prescribed actions.

Fig. 15 shows an RF beacon 1510 transmitting a repeated transmission 1530. The RF beacon includes presence/technology 1520. Such techniques may include capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, infrared ranging detectors, passive infrared (PIR sensors), ultrasonic ranging, lasers, and/or magnetic sensors. The RF receiver 1540 detects the repeated transmission of the beacon. The RF beacon and RF receiver according to one embodiment communicate using the bluetooth low energy standard.

Fig. 16 shows the contents of an RF beacon packet 1600. The data packet includes device type 1610, device id 1620, battery level 1630, firmware version 1640, transmit power level 1650, proximity indication 1660, and function 1670. The proximity indication includes data corresponding to a presence/ranging technique. For example, if a capacitive sensor detects that a pet is in close proximity, the corresponding RF beacon transmits data of the event, i.e., a proximity indication, as part of the RF beacon's repeated communication.

Fig. 17 illustrates exemplary antenna patterns 1710, 1720, 1730, the antenna patterns 1710, 1720, 1730 exhibiting different signal strength levels that depend on the approach angle (approach angle) of the RF receiver relative to the respective RF beacon.

Fig. 18 shows the transmission RF beacon X0. Fig. 18 also shows RF receivers X1 through X11 located at different positions around the RF beacon, i.e., at different approach angles. The RF receiver detects the following signal strength (RSSI) levels.

X1	-67dB	X7	-66dB
				X2	-71dB	X8	-73dB
X3	-72dB	X9	-71dB
				X4	-66dB	X10	-70dB
X5	-70dB	X11	-68dB
				X6	-70dB

Fig. 19 shows a dog having a collar 1910, which collar 1910 includes an RF receiver. As the pet and collar move around in the environment, the RF receiver naturally repositions itself with respect to the pet's body over time. Fig. 19 also shows that RF beacon 1920 periodically transmits 1930RF beacon data. Various RF receiver ferrule positions (X1-X3, shown; X4-X6, not shown) record the following RSSI signal strength levels:

X1	-67dB	X4	-72dB
				X2	-70dB	X5	-71dB
X3	-65dB	X6	-66dB

according to one embodiment of the pet monitoring system, the pet collar includes an RF receiver. The receiver communicates with an RF beacon incorporated in or affixed to the water bowl. The receiver records the very close interaction between the pet wearing the collar and the beaconing water bowl.

Once a certain RSSI threshold is exceeded, the RF receiver knows that the pet is close to the water bowl; however, the RSSI distance estimate is not accurate enough to determine whether the pet is close enough to drink, or simply "near" the water bowl. The inaccuracy of this estimation may be due to one or more of the following: the pet's proximity to the water bowl, the location of the RF receiver on the pet's neck, and the location of the RF beacon on the water bowl. However, record entries must appear in close proximity.

To improve the accuracy of RSSI proximity estimation, according to one embodiment, a capacitive sensor is added to the circuitry of the RF beacon. When the pet's body is in close proximity to the water bowl, the capacitive sensor begins to react. The reaction (sensor data) may be included in a data packet sent out by the RF beacon. Once the RSSI threshold is exceeded and the sensor data packet from the RF beacon includes confirmation that the pet's body is in the vicinity, the RF receiver can confidently record the interaction.

Referring to fig. 20, it is assumed that the RF receiver wanders in close proximity to two RF beacon equipped bowls, namely a food bowl 2010 and a water bowl 2020. The food bowl 2010 has a beacon 2080. The water bowl 2020 has a beacon 2090. Each bowl also includes a capacitive sensor 2030, 2040 for detecting the proximity of a pet wearing the RF receiver. As the pet approaches the bowl, the RF receiver 2050 detects similar RSSI levels from the first RF beacon 2060 and the second RF beacon 2070. These RSSI levels exceed thresholds indicating close proximity. However, the first capacitive sensor 2030 detects the approach of the pet body, and the second first capacitive sensor 2040 does not detect the approach of the pet body. This means that the first RF beacon transmission 2060 includes capacitive sensor data indicating proximity, while the second RF beacon transmission 2070 does not include capacitive sensor data indicating proximity. Although the same RSSI level was read from both RF beacons, the RF receiver now knows that it is in close proximity to the food bowl rather than the water bowl.

Assume that the RF receiver is close to a trash can equipped with an RF beacon. The RSSI value may vary greatly depending on the location of the RF receiver on the pet's neck, the proximity angle of the pet to the trash can, and the location of the RF beacon on the trash can. Once a particular RSSI threshold is exceeded, the RF receiver knows itself is close to the trash can, but this is not accurate enough to confidently apply a stimulus to the pet to prevent interaction between the pet and the trash can.

Referring to fig. 21, the trash can 2110 is equipped with an RF beacon 2120, which RF beacon 2120 itself includes a capacitive sensor 2130. When a pet wearing the RF receiver 2170 approaches the trash can, the receiver passes the first location 2140 on its way to the second location 2150 which is very close to the trash can 2110. However, the RF receiver 2170 detects similar RF readings at both locations, possibly due to changes in the pet's location. However, in the second position, the capacitive sensor 2130 senses the close proximity of the pet's body. This RF beacon transmission 2160 includes capacitive sensor data indicative of close proximity when the pet is in the second location. The combination of the RSSI level and the confirmed capacitive sensor event causes the pet collar to apply a stimulus, encouraging the pet to leave the avoidance zone around the trash can.

According to one embodiment, the RF receiver/beacon assembly interacts to provide product coupons when an in-store shopping consumer is directly in front of a product for a given period of time. According to this embodiment, the consumer uses a smartphone that supports an RF receiver function (possibly Bluetooth Low energy), while the store shelf itself includes an RF beacon that is positioned near the product of interest.

Referring to fig. 22, a consumer 2210 with a smartphone 2220 approaches a product shelf to inspect a series of products. The shelf displays a first product 2230, a second product 2240, and a third product 2250. The RF beacon 2260 may be placed directly behind, below or above the second product. Once a particular RSSI threshold is exceeded, the RF receiver in the consumer's handset knows itself is in the vicinity of the advertising beacon. However, when a smartphone RF receiver is located in front of any one of these three products, it may detect similar RSSI levels. The smartphone RF receiver cannot detect the RSSI level accurately enough to confidently know that the consumer is in front of a coupon-enabled product via an RF beacon. It is only necessary to notify the consumer when the consumer is directly in front of the product for a certain period of time, indicating that the consumer is interested in the product.

According to one embodiment, the RF beacon of an embodiment includes an ultrasonic ranging sensor 2270. As the consumer approaches the RF beacon, within the narrow field of view of the ultrasonic ranging sensor, the ultrasonic ranging sensor 2270 calculates the precise distance between the ultrasonic ranging sensor and the consumer, and the ultrasonic ranging sensor 2270 includes this value in the data packet of the advertising RF beacon. Once the RSSI threshold is exceeded and the data packet from the RF beacon includes further confirmation that the consumer has been stationary within close proximity for a sufficient period of time, an electronic coupon may be sent to the consumer's smartphone.

According to one embodiment, the RF receiver/beacon assembly interacts to provide positional information of the driver's vehicle relative to the interior wall of the garage. Referring to fig. 23, the driver moves the vehicle 2310 forward to position the vehicle 2310 within the garage space. The vehicle includes an RF receiver 2320 located at a forward location, while the interior wall of the garage includes an RF beacon 2330. Upon approaching the interior wall, the vehicle moves from a first position 2340 to a second position 2350. In the first position, the closed garage door will strike the rear end of the vehicle. In the second position, the front end of the car is close enough to the interior wall (without any risk of collision between the vehicle and the wall) to provide a gap between the rear end of the vehicle and the closed garage door.

However, the RF receiver detects similar RSSI levels at the first location and the second location. The vehicle RF receiver cannot detect the RSSI level accurately enough to confidently determine the location of the vehicle within the garage space. The vehicle must stop at a fairly precise point to avoid contact with the wall and to allow the garage door to close behind the car.

According to one embodiment, the RF beacon may include an inductive sensor 2360 within the circuitry of the RF beacon. Inductive sensors can detect nearby metals. When a metal vehicle approaches the interior garage wall, the inductive sensor 2360 begins to react. The response data may be included in a data packet transmitted 2370 by the RF beacon. Once the RSSI level threshold is exceeded and the corresponding data packet from the RF beacon includes further confirmation of an inductive sensor event, i.e., the vehicle is within range of the inductive sensor, the RF receiver may inform the driver that the vehicle is in the proper position. The RF receiver may cooperate with the sound emitting device to provide the notification. Alternatively, the RF receiver may cooperate with electronics within the vehicle to provide the notification through an audible or visual alarm.

Referring to fig. 24, a cook 2410 at a restaurant may be working near a dangerous hot surface 2420. The chef may be equipped with a wrist-worn RF receiver 2430 and the hot surface 2420 may be equipped with an RF beacon 2440. The cook can move from a first position 2450 to a second position 2460. The second position represents a dangerous approach to the hot surface.

Fig. 25 illustrates a system for enhancing RF beacon proximity determination. The system includes a communication device 2510 that periodically transmits RF signals, wherein the periodically transmitted signals include data. The system includes a receiver 2520 that detects the periodically transmitted signal, the detecting including measuring a strength of the periodically transmitted signal, the detecting including using the signal strength to provide a first estimate of a distance of the receiver from the communication device. The system includes 2530 a communication device including at least one location sensor for determining additional distance indications, wherein the data includes the additional distance indications. The system includes 2540 a receiver performing a function when the first estimate meets at least one criterion and when the additional distance indicates an indication of a first state.

However, the RF receiver detects similar RSSI levels at the first location and the second location. The RF receiver cannot detect the RSSI level accurately enough to confidently confirm the location of the cook relative to the hot surface. According to one embodiment, the RF beacon may include an infrared ranging sensor 2470 within the circuitry of the RF beacon. When the cook approaches the hazardous area, infrared ranging sensor 2470 will measure the distance from the hot surface to the cook and place the result in a data packet sent by the RF beacon. In other words, the infrared ranging sensor data may be included in the data packet transmitted 2480 by the RF beacon. Once the RSSI level threshold is exceeded and the corresponding data packet from the RF beacon includes further confirmation of the infrared ranging sensor event, i.e., confirming that the cook is at the second location or, more precisely, within the dangerous range of the infrared ranging sensor, the RF receiver may notify the cook that there is a danger.

Providing a sound masking environment using a monitoring/tracking/detection system

Systems and methods for monitoring objects in a venue are described in detail above. In the above systems and methods, the monitoring/tracking/detection system includes one or more ferrule devices, one or more beacons, and at least one smartphone, which runs applications and provides user interaction with such a system. Fig. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a system for monitoring/tracking/detecting activity of a subject within a venue. Fig. 2 shows a mobile device 210 running a smartphone application. The smartphone application is communicatively coupled to the ferrule devices 220, 230. As described above, the smartphone application may transmit data to the boot device 220, 230 and control certain functions of the boot device 220, 230. The smartphone application may also receive data from the boot device described above. Fig. 2 shows a ferrule device 220, 230 communicatively coupled to a beacon 240, 250, 260. As described above, the ferrule device receives data periodically transmitted by the beacons 240, 250, 260 and otherwise communicates with the beacons 240, 250, 260. As described above, the smartphone application 210 may assign certain functions directly to and otherwise communicate with the beacons 240, 250, 260.

Additional embodiments of the monitoring/tracking/detection system can include additional sensors or devices that actively monitor and manage the health and well-being of observed objects within the protected/monitored facility. These additional sensors/devices include a ferrule device sensor, an environmental sensor, and a motion or activity sensor. According to one embodiment, a monitoring/tracking/detection system including the above-described devices and sensors provides active health and welfare functions. According to one embodiment, such a system may provide a sound masking environment.

The following describes a monitoring/tracking/detection system for sound masking embodiments. According to one embodiment, such a system includes a wearable sound masking component created to deliver various noise types to mask other distracting/distracting noises, e.g.; thunderstorms, passing vehicles, newspapers, fireworks, other pets, raccoons, birds, possums, wind, etc. According to one embodiment, the ferrule device of the monitoring/tracking/detection system includes a sound masking component as further described below.

Dogs can hear much higher frequencies than humans. Dogs may also be more than four times as hearing as their owners. Canines can tilt, rotate, raise and lower their ears to focus on the sound. The canine can even be listened to independently with each ear. This auditory sensing of naturalness may also be a source of barking, howling, anxiety and worries due to the increased level of stimulation. The subtle, normal, non-threatening noise of the animal's environment can cause anxiety in the dog and initiate a barking event.

A wearable sound masking system includes an article wearable by a dog, i.e., a collar with a sound masking source/assembly. Note that according to an alternative embodiment, the sound masking member may be located elsewhere on the animal. In such an embodiment, the sound masking component is external to the ferrule and is also communicatively coupled to the ferrule device. As another example, the sound masking dog assembly may be implemented as a small accessory for clipping onto any collar and easily removed as needed when demand arises. (it should be noted that the sound masking member may be referred to hereinafter simply as a sound masking collar, a sound masking collar device, a sound masking dog collar, or a sound masking dog collar device). Sound masking sources operate by "masking" or masking "anxiety-causing" and "bark-causing" sounds such as: thunderstorms, passing vehicles, newspapers, fireworks, other pets, raccoons, birds, possums, wind, etc. It does not focus on delivering music or tones to the dog's ear. Rather, the system of one embodiment is designed to achieve the exact opposite effect. The system is created to mask out barking or anxiety-causing sounds from being detected. The voice masking dog collar is intended to humanely mask the cause of this anxiety by "power spectrum of frequency signal". One familiar approach to sound masking is the use of "white noise". The "color" of the noise also includes brown noise, pink, red, blue, purple, gray, and the like. The above color is similar to white noise but has more energy concentrated at various regions of the spectrum, which subtly changes the properties of the signal. For example, pink noise is similar to white noise, with more energy concentrated at the low end of the spectrum. Acoustic waves have two basic characteristics: frequency, i.e., the speed at which the waveform vibrates per second (one hertz is vibration per second); and amplitude, i.e. power or magnitude of the wave. Noise types are named with an imprecise analogy to the color of light: for example, white noise contains all audible frequencies, as if white light contained all frequencies in the visible spectrum.

While a "sound machine" or "white noise machine" might help if placed near your pet, most dogs choose to move around in their environment. They explore, drink, eat, and walk. However, by placing the sound masking dog collar on your dog, the masking remains the same for the animal as it moves around his home. The volume and noise type (i.e., white, pink, etc.) can be adjusted by the owner based on the responses of their respective dogs. Alternatively, the noise variable may be automatically set by the software based on the type of sound that caused the pet problem. The type of sound of the disturbance may be set by the pet owner or automatically detected by a connected sensor (as described further below).

The sound masking dog collar according to one embodiment is intended to completely prevent the dog from hearing these disturbances. The purpose of the ferrule is to mask the detection of sound. The collar actually transmits a continuous humming sound which is intended to vibrate the eardrum in such a way that the dog does not perceive a disturbing, anxious sound or barking noise.

The mechanism of sound masking can be explained by analogy to light. In a dark room where a person is turning on and off the light, the light will be clearly noticed. However, if the overhead light is turned on, turning on the light may not be as distracting as the light has already been "masked". Sound masking operates by masking unwanted sounds, similar to perfumes, which mask other odors. This is in contrast to attempts to eliminate unwanted music or tones.

Similarly, certain noise types may reduce the effects of unwanted sounds by sedating the pet. Pink noise has a sedative effect on pets. Even if the disturbing noise is not completely masked by the sound produced by the collar (as described further below), the collar may prevent the pet from reacting to the unwanted sound.

According to one embodiment, the masking sound emitted by the sound masking ferrule may include pink noise. The spectrum of pink noise is linear on a logarithmic scale; the spectrum has equal power in a proportionally wide band. This means that pink noise has equal power in the frequency range from 40Hz to 60Hz and in the frequency band from 4000Hz to 6000 Hz. Due to human hearing in such a proportional space, in such a space the perception of frequency doubling (octaves) is the same regardless of the actual frequency (40Hz to 60Hz and 4000Hz to 6000Hz sound the same spacing and distance), each octave contains the same amount of energy, and thus pink noise is typically used as a reference signal in audio engineering. The spectral power density of pink noise is reduced by 3dB per octave (density is proportional to 1/f) compared to white noise. Thus, pink noise is commonly referred to as "1/f noise".

According to one embodiment, the masking sound emitted by the sound masking ferrule may comprise white noise. White noise is a signal (or process) named by analogy to white light, which has a flat frequency spectrum when plotted as a linear function of frequency (e.g., in hertz). In other words, when a given bandwidth (power spectral density) is measured in Hz, the signal has equal power in any frequency band of that bandwidth. For example, for a white noise audio signal, the frequency range between 40Hz and 60Hz contains the same amount of acoustic power as the range between 400Hz and 420Hz, since both intervals are 20Hz wide. Note that the spectrum is typically plotted on a logarithmic frequency axis rather than a linear axis, in which case equal physical widths on the printed or displayed plot do not all have the same bandwidth, with the same physical width covering more hertz at higher frequencies than at lower frequencies. In this case, the white noise spectrum, which is equally sampled in the logarithm of the frequency (i.e., equally sampled on the X-axis), will be tilted upward at higher frequencies rather than flat.

According to one embodiment, the masking sound emitted by the sound masking collar may comprise brownian noise. The term "red noise", also known as brown noise or brownian noise, generally refers to the following power densities: the power density decreases by 6dB (density and 1/f) per octave with increasing frequency in a frequency range not comprising direct current (in the usual sense, not comprising a constant component or a value at zero frequency)²Proportional). In the field where the term is used imprecisely, "red noise" may refer to a decrease in power density with increasing frequencyAny system that is low.

According to one embodiment, the masking sound emitted by the device may comprise blue noise. Blue noise is also known as sky blue noise. The power density of blue noise increases 3dB per octave (density is proportional to f) with increasing frequency over a limited frequency range.

According to one embodiment, the masking sound emitted by the sound masking collar may comprise violet (violet) noise. Purple noise is also known as purple noise. The power density of purple noise increases by 6dB per octave (density and f) with increasing frequency over a limited frequency range²Proportional). Purple noise is also known as differentiated white noise because purple noise is the result of white noise signal differentiation.

According to one embodiment, the masking sound emitted by the sound masking collar may comprise a grey noise. Gray noise is random white noise that is subjected to a psycho-acoustic equal loudness curve (e.g., an inverted a-weighted curve) over a given frequency range, which is perceived by a listener to be equally loud at all frequencies.

In operation of the "active health and well-being" monitoring/tracking/detecting system for the sound masking embodiment, the ferrule device collects a large amount of information as it wanders throughout the monitored site. First, the boot device may collect data related to avoidance/tracking events (also referred to herein as avoidance/interaction events) triggered by proximity to a particular beacon. (Note that the recording of avoidance/tracking events and information related thereto is disclosed in detail above). Second, the snare device includes one or more sensors for monitoring/tracking/detecting physiological and motion indicators related to the subject wearing the snare. Third, the ferrule device detects and receives data from environmental sensors that are (i) distributed throughout the venue and/or (ii) located within a beacon. The cuffed device may collect and process avoidance/interaction data, cuffed device sensor data (including physiological and athletic activity data of the subject wearing the cuffed), and/or environmental sensor data to determine specific needs. As just one example and as described further below, the combination of avoidance/interaction data, physiological condition data, and/or environmental sensor data may indicate that the animal wearing the collar may be experiencing audio interference, i.e., the animal may benefit from sound masking.

As described above, the ferrule/beacon/smartphone, environmental sensor, and/or active device may transmit data to and/or receive data from the cloud computing platform. According to this embodiment, the cuffed device may collect and forward avoidance/interaction data, cuffed device sensor data (including physiological conditions and/or athletic activity of the subject wearing the cuffed), and/or environmental sensor data. In other words, the boot device may collect such data and forward such data to a remote application running on a remote computing platform. The remote application may then transmit the data to an application running on the smartphone or other mobile computing platform. The smartphone application may then analyze the data to determine the particular needs of the subject wearing the bootstrapped device. According to an alternative embodiment, the smartphone device or other mobile computing platform may receive such data directly from the ferrule device and/or beacon over the network shown in fig. 12 (and described in the corresponding publication).

Any combination of collar sensor data (including audio sensor data and/or piezoelectric transducer data) and environmental data (including audio sensor data and/or piezoelectric transducer data) can be used to determine the occurrence and characteristics of auditory events in the environment of the monitored animal. Further, any combination of the collar sensor data (including the audio sensor data and/or the piezoelectric transducer data) and the environmental data (including the audio sensor data and/or the piezoelectric transducer data) may be used to determine one or more behaviors indicative of the animal experiencing auditory disturbance. Note that information of auditory events and/or animal behavior may be used (by a ferrule device, smartphone device, or remote computing platform) to automatically select one or more sound masking signals for transmission by a sound masking device and corresponding time intervals for transmitting such sound masking signals.

Any of the computing resources described above, including the boot device computing resource, the smartphone application, and the remote computing resource, may be used to monitor whether any of the transmitted sound masking signals were successful. Monitoring of each transmitted sound masking signal includes monitoring for unwanted pet responses before, during and after transmission of the signal and recording any observed cessation, diminishment or continuation of unwanted pet responses. The recorded success data (i.e. the stop or reduction data) may be used to determine a future selection of sound masking signals.

Note that the sound masking boot device may provide a direct interface to the user for programming the device, i.e. selecting the time, duration and type of sound masking signal.

Note that the user may predetermine whether distracting auditory conditions are present based on the detection of certain auditory events. As just one example, a user of a monitoring/tracking/detection system (for a sound masking implementation) may specify traffic noise (i.e., the sound of a car horn) as a trigger for sound masking using a smartphone application or one or more applications communicatively coupled to a cloud computing environment (as described above). When the above-described system and method determines the occurrence of such traffic noise (i.e., the sound of the car horn), the sound masking component emits a specific sound masking signal. Alternatively, the user may simply instruct the sound emitting assembly to emit the selected sound masking signal at a predetermined time or upon command.

FIG. 26 illustrates a system for providing a sound masking environment. The system includes a 2610 snare device including a sound masking component, the snare device including one or more snare device sensors for detecting physiological data of the animal. The system includes a 2620 ferrule device including one or more environmental sensors for detecting environmental data of an animal environment. The system includes 2630 a ferrule device including one or more applications running on at least one processor for detecting an occurrence of one or more events using at least one of physiological data and environmental data, wherein the one or more events include one or more of: at least one auditory event in the environment of the animal, and at least one behavior of the animal. The system includes 2640 one or more applications for selecting a sound masking signal for transmission using information of the one or more events and outcome data after the one or more events occur, wherein the outcome date includes a previously detected difference in behavior of an animal responsive to at least one sound masking signal previously transmitted by a sound masking component, wherein the sound masking signal includes at least one selected combination of frequency and amplitude. The system includes 2650 a sound masking component for delivering a sound masking signal. The system includes 2660 one or more applications for recording outcome dates over time, the recording of the outcome dates including updating the outcome data such that the outcome data includes differences in at least one behavior of the animal in response to the transmitted sound masking signal, wherein the differences in at least one behavior of the animal are determined using physiological data of the animal and environmental data of an environment of the animal.

At least one selected combination of an embodiment includes white noise.

At least one selected combination of an embodiment includes pink noise.

At least one selected combination of an embodiment includes blue noise.

At least one selected combination of an embodiment includes purple noise.

At least one selected combination of an embodiment includes gray noise.

According to one embodiment, the one or more events include one or more of: at least one auditory event in the environment of the animal, and at least one behavior of the animal.

The at least one behavior of an embodiment is indicative of anxiety.

The at least one activity of one embodiment includes barking.

The at least one behavior of an embodiment comprises saddley.

The at least one behavior of an embodiment includes a continuous and rapid movement of the animal.

The at least one auditory event of an embodiment includes one or more sounds in the animal environment including weather event noise, traffic noise, firework noise and the presence of other animals that may be heard.

The result data of an embodiment includes the duration of the transmitted sound masking signal.

The result data of an embodiment includes a difference in behavior of the animal at least one of before, during, and after the transmitted sound masking signal.

The difference in one embodiment includes a cessation of at least one action.

The difference in one embodiment includes a reduced occurrence of at least one action.

The result data of an embodiment includes a sustained occurrence of at least one behavior.

According to an embodiment, selecting the sound masking signal comprises selecting a time interval for transmitting the sound masking signal.

The one or more snare device sensors of an embodiment include a heart rate sensor for monitoring heart rate.

The one or more cuff device sensors of an embodiment include an electrocardiogram for monitoring electrical activity (EKG or ECG) of the heart.

The one or more cuff device sensors of an embodiment include one or more blood pressure sensors for monitoring blood pressure levels.

The one or more cuff device sensors of an embodiment include one or more respiration rate sensors for monitoring respiration rate.

The one or more snare device sensors of an embodiment comprise one or more temperature sensors for monitoring body temperature.

One or more ferrule device sensors of an embodiment include accelerometers and/or gyroscopes to monitor activity level and activity type.

The one or more ferrule device sensors of an embodiment include one or more first acoustic sensors for detecting the frequency, amplitude, and source of the audio signal.

The one or more ferrule device sensors of an embodiment include one or more first piezoelectric transducers for measuring ambient environmental changes in one or more of pressure, temperature, and force.

The one or more first piezoelectric transducers of an embodiment include at least one piezoelectric transducer located on the animal for detecting an auditory signal generated by the animal.

The one or more environmental sensors of an embodiment include a temperature sensor.

The one or more environmental sensors of an embodiment include a moisture sensor.

The one or more environmental sensors of an embodiment include a humidity sensor.

The one or more environmental sensors of an embodiment include an air pressure sensor and/or an air quality condition sensor.

The one or more environmental sensors of an embodiment include a lightning detector sensor.

The one or more environmental sensors of an embodiment include one or more second acoustic sensors for detecting the frequency, amplitude, and source of the audio signal.

The one or more environmental sensors of an embodiment include one or more second piezoelectric transducers for measuring changes in the ambient environment in terms of one or more of pressure, temperature, and force.

Described herein is a system comprising a snare device including a sound masking component, the snare device including one or more snare device sensors for detecting animal physiological data. The system includes one or more environmental sensors for detecting environmental data of an animal environment, the one or more environmental sensors including a transmitter for transmitting the environmental data. The system includes a ferrule device including a transceiver for receiving environmental data. The system includes a ferrule device including one or more applications running on at least one processor for detecting an occurrence of one or more events using at least one of physiological data, environmental data, and outcome data. The system includes one or more applications configured to use information of the one or more events to select a sound masking signal for transmission after the one or more events occur, wherein a first sound masking signal includes at least one first selected combination of frequency and amplitude, the one or more applications configured to provide the at least one first selected combination of information to at least one remote computing device. The system includes receiving instructions from the at least one remote computing device to transmit at least one of a first sound masking signal and a second sound masking signal, where the second sound masking signal includes at least one second selected combination of frequency and amplitude. The system includes a sound masking component for communicating at least one of a first sound masking signal and a second sound masking signal.

According to one embodiment, the at least one selected combination includes white noise.

According to one embodiment, at least one selected combination includes pink noise.

According to one embodiment, at least one selected combination includes blue noise.

According to an embodiment, the at least one selected combination comprises violet noise.

According to one embodiment, at least one selected combination includes gray noise.

According to one embodiment, the at least one behavior is indicative of anxiety in the animal.

According to one embodiment, the at least one behavior comprises barking of the animal.

According to one embodiment, the at least one behavior comprises howling of the animal.

According to one embodiment, the at least one behavior comprises a continuous and rapid movement of the animal.

According to one embodiment, the at least one auditory event comprises one or more sounds in the animal's environment, including weather event noise, traffic noise, firework noise and the presence of other animals that may be heard.

According to one embodiment, the difference in the at least one behavior of the animal comprises a cessation of the at least one behavior.

According to one embodiment, the difference in the at least one behavior of the animal comprises a reduced occurrence of the at least one behavior.

According to an embodiment, selecting the sound masking signal comprises selecting a time interval for transmitting the sound masking signal.

According to one embodiment, the one or more snare device sensors include a heart rate sensor for monitoring the heart rate of the animal.

According to one embodiment, the one or more snare device sensors include an electrocardiogram for monitoring electrical activity (EKG or ECG) of the heart of the animal.

According to one embodiment, the one or more cuff device sensors include one or more blood pressure sensors for monitoring a blood pressure level of the animal.

According to one embodiment, the one or more snare device sensors include one or more respiration rate sensors for monitoring the respiration rate of the animal.

According to one embodiment, the one or more snare device sensors comprise one or more temperature sensors for monitoring the body temperature of the animal.

According to one embodiment, the one or more snare device sensors include an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope to monitor the activity level and activity type of the animal.

According to one embodiment, the one or more ferrule device sensors include one or more first acoustic sensors for detecting a frequency, amplitude, and source of an audio signal, wherein the audio signal includes at least one auditory event.

According to one embodiment, the one or more ferrule device sensors include one or more first piezoelectric transducers for measuring ambient environmental changes in one or more of pressure, temperature, and force.

According to one embodiment, the one or more first piezoelectric transducers comprise at least one piezoelectric transducer located on the animal for detecting an acoustic signal generated by the animal.

According to one embodiment, the one or more environmental sensors include a temperature sensor.

According to one embodiment, the one or more environmental sensors include a moisture sensor.

According to one embodiment, the one or more environmental sensors include a humidity sensor.

According to one embodiment, the one or more environmental sensors include an air pressure sensor and/or an air quality condition sensor.

According to one embodiment, the one or more environmental sensors include a lightning detector sensor.

According to one embodiment, the one or more environmental sensors include one or more second acoustic sensors for detecting a frequency, a magnitude, and a source of an audio signal, wherein the audio signal includes at least one auditory event.

According to one embodiment, the one or more environmental sensors comprise one or more second piezoelectric transducers for measuring changes in the ambient environment in terms of one or more of pressure, temperature and force.

According to one embodiment, described herein is a system comprising a snare device including a sound masking component, the snare device including one or more snare device sensors for detecting physiological data of an animal. The system includes one or more environmental sensors for detecting environmental data of an animal environment, the one or more environmental sensors including a transmitter for transmitting the environmental data. The system includes a ferrule device including a transceiver for receiving environmental data. The system includes a ferrule device comprising one or more applications running on at least one processor for detecting an occurrence of one or more events using at least one of physiological data and environmental data, wherein the one or more events include one or more of: at least one auditory event in the environment of the animal, and at least one behavior of the animal. The system includes one or more applications for selecting a first sound masking signal for transmission using information of the one or more events and outcome data after the one or more events have occurred, wherein the outcome date comprises a previously detected difference in behavior of an animal responsive to at least one sound masking signal previously transmitted by a sound masking component, wherein the first sound masking signal comprises at least one first selected combination of frequency and amplitude, the one or more applications for providing the information of the at least one first selected combination to at least one remote computing device. The system includes one or more applications for receiving instructions from the at least one remote computing device to transmit at least one of a first sound masking signal and a second sound masking signal, wherein the second sound masking signal includes at least one second selected combination of frequency and amplitude. The system includes a sound masking component for communicating at least one of a first sound masking signal and a second sound masking signal. The system includes one or more applications for recording an outcome date over time, the recording the outcome date including updating the outcome data such that the outcome data includes a difference in at least one behavioral aspect of the animal in response to the transmission of at least one of the first and second sound masking signals, wherein the difference in at least one behavioral aspect of the animal is determined using physiological data of the animal and environmental data of an environment of the animal.

According to one embodiment, described herein is a system comprising a snare device including a sound masking component, the snare device including one or more snare device sensors for detecting physiological data of an animal. The system includes one or more environmental sensors for detecting environmental data of an animal's environment, the one or more environmental sensors including a transmitter for transmitting the environmental data. The system includes a ferrule device including a transceiver for receiving environmental data. The system includes a ferrule device comprising one or more applications running on at least one processor for detecting an occurrence of one or more events using at least one of physiological data and environmental data, wherein the one or more events include one or more of: at least one auditory event in the environment of the animal, and at least one behavior of the animal. The system includes one or more applications for selecting a sound masking signal for transmission after occurrence of one or more events using information of the one or more events and outcome data, wherein the outcome data includes previously detected differences in behavior of animals responsive to at least one sound masking signal previously transmitted by a sound masking component, wherein the sound masking signal includes at least one selected combination of frequency and amplitude. The system includes a sound masking component for delivering a sound masking signal. The system includes one or more applications for recording the result data over time, the recording of the result data including updating the result data such that the result data includes a difference in at least one behavior of the animal in response to the transmitted sound masking signal, wherein the difference in at least one behavior of the animal is determined using physiological data of the animal and environmental data of an environment of the animal.

Computer networks suitable for use with embodiments described herein include Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), the internet, or other connectivity services and network variants, such as the world wide web, the public internet, private computer networks, public networks, mobile networks, cellular networks, value-added networks, and the like. The computing device coupled to or connected to the network may be any microprocessor controlled device that allows access to the network, including terminal devices such as personal computers, workstations, servers, minicomputers, mainframe computers, laptops, mobile computers, palmtops, handheld computers, cell phones, television set-top boxes, or combinations thereof. The computer network may include one of a plurality of LANs, WANs, the internet, and computers. The computer may act as a server, a client, or a combination thereof.

The systems and methods for providing a sound masking environment may be components of a single system, multiple systems, and/or geographically separated systems. The systems and methods for providing a sound masking environment may also be subcomponents or subsystems of a single system, multiple systems, and/or geographically separated systems. Components of the system and method for providing a sound masking environment may be coupled with a host system or with one or more other components of a system coupled to a host system (not shown).

One or more components of the systems and methods for providing a sound masking environment and/or corresponding interfaces, systems or applications coupled to or connected to the systems and methods for providing a sound masking environment include and/or run under and/or in association with a processing system. As is known in the art, a processing system includes any collection of computing or processor-based devices, or components of a processing system or device, that operate together. For example, the processing system may include one or more of a portable computer, a portable communication device operating in a communication network, and/or a network server. The portable computer can be any number and/or combination of devices selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a portable computing device, and a portable communication device, but is not limited to such. The processing system may include components within a larger computer system.

The processing system of an embodiment includes at least one processor and at least one memory device or subsystem. The processing system may also include or be coupled to at least one database. The term "processor" is used generically herein to refer to any logical processing unit, such as one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and the like. The processor and memory may be monolithically integrated onto a single chip, distributed across multiple chips or components, and/or provided by some combination of algorithms. The methods described herein may be implemented in any combination in one or more of a software algorithm, a program, firmware, hardware, a component, a circuit.

The components of any system, including the systems and methods for providing a sound masking environment, may be located together or in separate locations. The communication path couples the components and includes any medium for communicating or transferring files between the components. The communication path includes a wireless connection, a wired connection, and a hybrid wireless/wired connection. The communication path also includes a coupling or connection to networks including Local Area Networks (LANs), Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), proprietary networks, interoffice or backend networks, and the Internet. In addition, the communication path includes removable fixed media such as floppy disks, hard drives, and CD-ROM disks, as well as flash memory, Universal Serial Bus (USB) connections, RS-232 connections, telephone lines, buses, and e-mail messages.

Aspects of the systems and methods for providing a sound masking environment and corresponding systems and methods described herein may be implemented as functionality programmed into any of a variety of circuits, including Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Programmable Array Logic (PAL) devices, electrically programmable logic and memory devices, and standard cell based devices, as well as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Some other possibilities for implementing aspects of the systems and methods for providing a sound masking environment, and corresponding systems and methods, include: a microcontroller having a memory, such as an electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), an embedded microprocessor, firmware, software, etc. Further, aspects of the systems and methods for providing a sound masking environment, and corresponding systems and methods, may be embodied in microprocessors with software-based circuit emulation, discrete logic (sequential and combinatorial), custom devices, fuzzy (neural) logic, quantum devices, and hybrids of any of the above device types. Of course, the underlying device technology may be provided in a variety of component types, for example, Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) technologies such as Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS), bipolar technologies such as Emitter Coupled Logic (ECL), polymer technologies (e.g., silicon-conjugated polymer and metal-conjugated polymer-metal structures), analog and digital hybrids, and so forth.

It should be noted that any of the systems, methods, and/or other components disclosed herein may be described using computer-aided design tools and expressed (or represented) as data and/or instructions embodied in various computer-readable media in terms of the behavior, register transfer, logic components, transistors, layout geometries, and/or other characteristics of the systems, methods, and/or other components. Computer-readable media in which such formatted data and/or instructions may be embodied include, but are not limited to, non-volatile storage media in various forms (e.g., optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage media) and carrier waves that may be used to transfer such formatted data and/or instructions through wireless, optical, or wired signal transmission media or any combination thereof. Examples of transfers of such formatted data and/or instructions by carrier waves include, but are not limited to, transfers (uploads, downloads, e-mail, etc.) over the internet and/or other computer networks via one or more data transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP, FTP, SMTP, etc.). When received within a computer system via one or more computer-readable media, such data and/or instruction-based expressions of the above-described components may be processed by a processing entity (e.g., one or more processors) within the computer system in connection with execution of one or more other computer programs.

Throughout the specification and claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, unless the context clearly requires otherwise; that is, to be interpreted in the sense of "including, but not limited to". Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Furthermore, as used herein, the words "herein," "below," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the word "or" is used to refer to a listing of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any item in the list, all items in the list, and any combination of items in the list.

The above description of embodiments of systems and methods for providing a sound masking environment, and corresponding systems and methods, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the systems and methods to the precise form disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the system and method for providing a sound masking environment and corresponding system and method are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the system and method, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings provided herein of the systems and methods for providing a sound masking environment and corresponding systems and methods may be applied to other systems and methods, and are not limited to the systems and methods described above.

The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the systems and methods for providing a sound masking environment and the corresponding systems and methods in light of the above detailed description.

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System and method for providing a sound masking environment

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