System for training an animal

Abstract

A method for training, exercising, and entertaining an animal comprises providing a dispenser in a first location accessible to a predetermined animal. The dispenser comprises a storage compartment configured to store rewards and to dispense rewards, a first signaling module configured to generate a reward signal, and a wireless module configured to receive a dispense signal. A target is provided in a second location, wherein the second location is a fixed distance from the first location and the fixed distance is based on a training condition for the animal. A system configuration of the dispenser and the target is set. The target comprises a second signaling module, a sensor, and a wireless module configured to transmit a dispense signal. The sensor is configured to detect a predetermined animal behavior. In one embodiment, the predetermined animal behavior comprises depression of a touch sensor. The target is configured to transmit the dispense signal in response to a detected predetermined animal behavior. The dispenser is further configured to generate a reward signal and to dispense a reward only in response to a received dispense signal. The system configuration comprises a training program, a session length, and a periodicity.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for training an animal, comprising:
 a target device at a first location that is a distance from a second location and is based on a training condition for an animal, wherein the target device further comprises:
 a transceiver for wirelessly communicating an indication when the animal has performed the specified action; and 
   a dispenser disposed at the second location accessible by the animal wherein the dispenser further comprises:
 a storage compartment configured to store rewards and to dispense rewards when the animal has performed the specified action within the required period; 
 a wireless transceiver configured to receive the wirelessly transmitted indication; 
 a first signaling module configured to generate a reward indication for the animal to know a reward is being dispensed based upon receiving the dispense signal; and 
 logic configured to define at least one training program having a session length, and a periodicity and wherein the system performs training based on the training program. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the reward indication includes a flashing light. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the reward indication includes an audible tone. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the reward indication includes an audible tone and a visible light. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the dispenser is further configured to generate the reward indication within one second of receiving the dispense signal. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the dispenser is further configured to dispense a food reward to the reward bay within one second of the animal performing the desired action. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 wherein the dispenser is further configured to transmit an attention signal to the target; and   wherein the target is further configured to receive the attention signal and to generate a trigger signal in response to a received attention signal.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising at least one control element for adjusting the required period to correspond to a distance between the first location and the second location and an ability of the animal to run the distance within the required period. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the second signaling module of the target is further configured to generate a series of tones audible to the animal for a predetermined play period based on the training program; and   the desired action comprises touching the target sensor during the play period.   
     
     
         30 . A system for training an animal, comprising:
 circuitry for determining, at a target device at a first location, that the animal has performed a desired action;   logic and circuitry for determining to transmit and for wirelessly transmitting a dispense signal;   circuitry at a dispensing device located at a second location for receiving the wirelessly transmitted dispense signal;   circuitry for receiving the dispense signal and for generating a reward indication to inform the animal that a reward is being dispensed; and   circuitry for dispensing the reward within one second of receiving the dispense signal.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the reward indication comprises at least one of a sound and a light. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30  further including circuitry within the target device for generating an attention signal to prompt the animal to perform the desired action. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the reward is dispensed only if the animal performs the desired action within a specified amount of time of the attention signal being generated. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 30  further including circuitry determining that the animal has performed the desired action by determining that the animal has actuated a switch. 
     
     
         35 . A system for training an animal, comprising:
 a target at a first location configured to determine that the animal has performed a desired action and, based on the determination, configured to wirelessly transmit a dispense signal;   a dispenser at a second location that is different from the first location configured to receive the wirelessly transmitted dispense signal and generate a reward indication to inform the animal that a reward is being dispensed in response to receiving the dispense signal; and   training logic within at least one of the target and the dispenser defining a session length, and a periodicity, wherein the target and dispenser perform training based on the training logic.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the reward indication generated by the dispenser comprises at least one of a light and an audible tone. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the dispenser is further configured to dispense a food reward to the reward bay within one second of the animal performing the desired action. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the dispenser transmits an attention signal to the target; and   wherein the target receives the attention signal and generates a trigger signal in response to a received attention signal to prompt the animal to perform the desired action.   
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the desired action comprises touching the target sensor during a specified period. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 35  comprising controls to set a number of training sessions per day for training the animal.