Data-acquiring and reporting animal collar

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for acquiring data from and communicating with a wearable device (e.g., a collar) affixed to animal are described. A wearable device affixed to a dog, for example, may acquire data and transmit the data to mobile devices or servers using one or several wireless technologies. The wearable device may also receive signaling, which may be indicative of commands to or feedback for the animal wearing the wearable device. The data acquired from the wireless device may be used for monitoring and communicating with an animal by, for example, generating reports, developing training or feeding schedules, or conveying relevant information to animal owners. Likewise, signaling sent to the device may facilitate interaction between an animal and the animal's owner, between the animal and its surroundings, or between multiple animals.

1 . A method for animal monitoring and communication, comprising:
 acquiring data for an animal using a wearable device affixed to the animal, wherein the data comprises at least one of biometric information, location information, movement information, or sound information, or any combination thereof; and   transmitting the acquired data from the wearable device through a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising at least one of a cellular network, a wireless local area network, or a wireless personal area network, or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing feedback to the animal using the wearable device, the feedback based at least in part on the acquired data, wherein the feedback comprises as least one of a sound, a scent, an electric signal, or a mechanical signal, or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating a report comprising the acquired data, wherein the report is generated concurrently with the data acquisition, at defined intervals, according to a triggering event, or on demand of a user, or any combination thereof, and wherein transmitting the data comprises sending the report.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the report is sent based at least in part on the triggering event. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving signaling through the wireless communication system at the wearable device, wherein the signaling is indicative of a command, and wherein the feedback provided to the animal is based at least in part on the received signaling.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the signaling comprises a user command initiated at a mobile device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the signaling comprises data representative of a training regimen, wherein the feedback provided to the animal is based at least in part on the training regimen, and wherein the method further comprises:
 storing the data representative of the training regimen in memory.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a wireless communication signal from a second wearable device affixed to a second animal, wherein the data further comprises information related to the second animal.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting a wireless communication signal to a second wearable device affixed to a second animal, wherein the transmitting is based at least in part on the acquired data.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting a wireless communication signal to an element of a connected home comprising at least one of a central control panel, a doggie door, or a monitoring beacons, or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for animal monitoring and communication, comprising:
 an animal collar; and   a controller affixed to the animal collar, the controller comprising:
 a processor; and 
 memory in electronic communication with the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to:
 acquire data for an wearing the animal collar, wherein the data comprises at least one of biometric information, location information, movement information, or sound information, or a combination thereof; and 
 transmit the acquired data from the controller through a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising at least one of a cellular network, a wireless local area network, or a wireless personal area network, or any combination thereof. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions are executable to cause the controller to:
 provide feedback to the animal wearing the animal collar, wherein the feedback comprises at least one of a sound, a scent, an electric signal, or a mechanical signal, or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions are executable to cause the controller to:
 generate a report comprising the acquired data, wherein the report is generated concurrently with the data acquisition, at defined intervals, according to a triggering event, or on demand of a user, or any combination thereof; and   transmit the acquired data in the report.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions are executable to cause the controller to:
 transmit the report based at least in part on the triggering event.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions are executable to cause the controller to:
 receive signaling through the wireless communication system, wherein the signaling is indicative of a command; and   provide the feedback to the animal wearing the animal collar based at least in part on the signaling.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the signaling comprises a user command initiated at a mobile device. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the signaling comprises data representative of a training regimen and the instructions are executable to cause the controller to:
 provide the feedback to the animal is based at least in part on the training regimen; and   store the data representative of the training regimen in memory.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions are executable to cause the controller to:
 receive a wireless communication signal from a second wearable device affixed to a second animal, wherein the data further comprises information related to the second animal.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions are executable to cause the controller to:
 transmit a wireless communication signal to a second wearable device affixed to a second animal, wherein the transmitting is based at least in part on the acquired data.