US20230097582A1 — System and method for selecting and executing training protocols for autonomously training an animal

Assignee: Companion Labs Inc · Inventors: Paul Mundell, John Honchariw, Noemie A. Guerin, Sayli Benadikar, Tim Genske Filed: 2021-01-11 (US17/146,411) · Published: 2023-03-30 · Status: Active (US17/146,411); US18/074,205 abandoned

Abstract

A method for autonomously training an animal: load an autonomous training protocol onto a training apparatus that dispenses primary reinforcer (treats) based on animal behaviours. During the session, access video feed from optical sensor, detect the animal in the video, and dispense treats per protocol. Calculate a training score, then select a manual training protocol for the human trainer based on the score. Track anxiety level from video behaviours.

Key technical features

• Brain recording: NO — video feed + treat dispenser + optical sensor; no EEG/electrodes/ERP
• Species: Animal (dog) — 79 “animal” mentions; 641 “dog”; 8 “human”; 178 “user”; zero rodent/monkey/primate
• Classification: A01K15/02 (animal training/exercising equipment); A01K15/0201 (treat dispensers); G06V40/20 (behaviour/gesture recognition); G06V40/23 (whole body movement recognition)
• Computer vision: Animal detection in video feed; behaviour classification; anxiety level tracking from video
• Training architecture: Autonomous (apparatus-driven) → manual (human-guided) handoff based on training score

Significance

An autonomous animal training patent from Companion Labs (San Francisco-based pet tech startup). Uses computer vision to detect and evaluate animal behaviour, then decides when to hand off to manual training. No brain recording. Tangentially related to cognitive testing — it is operant conditioning with automated reinforcement, similar in structure to preclinical touchscreen chambers but designed for pet dog training rather than cognitive assessment.