Domestic Animal Telephone

Abstract

A phone for pets and pet owners is taught which allows the owner to call the house and “talk” to the pet. The owner can then see a video image of the pet in front of the pet phone to verify presence and happiness. The device can also present the owner's scent to the pet and deliver treats on remote command. In some embodiments, the pet can initiate the phone call.

1 . A device for remotely communicating with a pet in real-time, the device comprising:
 a body having:
 a speaker; 
 a camera; 
 telecommunications circuitry; 
 a scent reservoir; 
 a treat dispenser; and 
 a programmable input/output chip; 
   wherein the speaker and camera are in communication with the telecommunications circuitry, which is configured to receive an incoming call from a remote location, such that the caller can talk to the pet in real-time.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further has:
 a power supply and a microcontroller, the power supply and telecommunications circuitry being in communication with the microcontroller.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the body further has a fan, the fan being in communication with the microcontroller and configured to blow air at the scent reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the body further has a scent door and a scent door solenoid, the scent door operably connected to the scent door solenoid and selectively covering the scent reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . A method of communicating remotely with a pet in real-time, the method comprising:
 providing a communications device having a body, the body having:
 a speaker; 
 a camera; 
 a display; and 
 telecommunications circuitry, the speaker and camera in communication with the telecommunications circuitry; 
   receiving an incoming call from a caller;   answering the incoming call with the communications device;   establishing a communications link with the caller; and   talking to the pet in real-time via the telecommunications circuitry and speaker.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising providing a power supply and a microcontroller within the body, the power supply and telecommunications circuitry being in communication with the microcontroller. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising providing the body with a scent reservoir, the scent reservoir having therein a scented item. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising providing the body with a fan, the fan being in communication with the microcontroller and configured to blow air at the scent reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising remotely activating the fan. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising providing the body with a scent door solenoid and operating the scent door solenoid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising providing a treat reservoir and dispensing a treat from the treat reservoir. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising providing the body with a universal serial bus (USB) connector.