Sensor for a wireless animal trap detection system

Abstract

An animal trap sensor includes a base having a distal end and a proximal end, a switch having a first metallic element and a second metallic element, and a signal unit, in which, when the first metallic element contacting the second metallic element, thereby forming a closed circuit, such that the signal unit transmits a signal to an off-site receiver. Or, an animal trap sensor includes a first portion and a second portion electrically connected with a signal unit including a power supply, in which, when the first and the second portions are disposed at a first distance between each other, thereby generating an output property, in which, when the first and the second portions are disposed at a second distance between each other, which is different from the first distance, thereby changing the output property and causing the signal unit to transmit a signal to an off-site receiver.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 443,384, filed on Jan. 6, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 541,241, filed on Aug. 4, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]The invention relates generally to the field of trap monitoring systems. More specifically, the invention relates to sensors, e.g., trembler switches, used in animal traps or bait stations, which utilize wireless alert systems. The invention also relates to sensors, such as Hall effect sensors, for use in animal trap monitoring systems.Background Art[0003]The present application relates to wireless reporting of events and more particularly to wireless reporting of status of animal traps or bait stations.[0004]Animal traps have been in use for years, and the majority of these devices use either a spring load or live trap device. Animal traps are freque...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The system enables efficient, low-power, and cost-effective monitoring of animal traps, reducing battery drain and false positives, while allowing operators to easily identify which traps need attention, thus improving remote trap management.

Problems solved by technology

While these devices may be suitable for easy to monitor locations, they are not suitable for remote hard to monitor locations.

One problem with these conventional traps is that they are often placed, for example, in an attic in a house, and there is no easy way of knowing when the trap is activated other than by viewing them.

Another problem with live traps is that the animal may be left in a very stressful environment when stuck in the trap for many hours or even days before the activated trap is discovered.

An example of this stressful environment is when a live trap is placed in an attic that may reach temperatures in excess of 120° F. Another problem with the standard spring-loaded trap is that an animal is often left for extended periods of time to the point that they begin to decay attracting even more animals.

While this attempts to solve the problem of alerting that a remote trap has been activated, it does not solve the fundamental problem if the trap is a considerable distance from the trap user.

In addition, the battery operated audio device has the disadvantage of causing the battery to run down.

Another type of alert system uses sophisticated and expensive sensing techniques, such as infrared or motion sensors, which alert the trap user once a trap activation has been detected.

Still other alert systems use various imaging systems to report the presence of an animal in a trap, however, transmitting of digital images has a high bandwidth and energy demands.

The expense and sophistication of these devices may limit their use in a high volume low-tech field, such as pest control.

In general, these prior approaches are too expensive, too sophisticated, and have a narrow scope of application.

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