Animal detection

Abstract

To provide an apparatus and method for detecting a warm blooded animal.SOLUTION: A detection apparatus for identifying the presence of a warm blooded animal. The apparatus includes: a sensor (30) which, when triggered, starts a microcontroller unit (MCU) (40); a thermal imaging camera (50) positioned so as to detect a warm blooded animal in a detection zone; means for capturing temperature and location and displaying them as a plurality of coordinates on an array; computing means which interrogates at least one of temperature intensity and a location area, records, based on an algorithm and machine learning, or rejects an indicator signal (140) with an associated location and stores data simply as a product which is associated with a simple quantitative or qualitative figure, such as a simple numerical value associated with a coordinate; and a signal unit (190) for sending data (180) indicating the presence of a target animal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[0001] This invention relates to the detection of warm-blooded animals, more particularly, but not exclusively, to the detection of vermin such as mammals, particularly, but not exclusively, rodents. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] The pest control industry uses a variety of sensor technologies to detect pests, which are not particularly discriminatory (they cannot identify specific pests) and tend to report false positives, which makes operations expensive due to inaccurate data and personnel being sent to the field.

[0003]

[0003] Additionally, they provide little, if any, behavioral information that cannot address the underlying problems.

[0004]

[0004] The prior art identified includes the following:

[0005]

[0005] US2010 / 214408 relates to an imaging sensor system for acquiring and processing images.

[0006]

[0006] US2007 / 230744 relates to a security system including a motion detector connected to a camera.

[0007]

[0007] WO2015 / 139091 relates to a system for detecting target animals within protected areas.

[0008]

[0008] US2018 / 177178, an animal deterrent device.

[0009]

[0009] The present invention seeks to collect and report real-time information that provides more insightful data, thereby enabling more efficient management of pests such as rats.

[0010]

[0010] The present invention also relates to data and battery life management so that devices can be installed in field situations where access to electricity and WIFI may be limited. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Generally, there is provided a detection device for identifying the presence of a target warm-blooded animal within a detection area, the detection device comprising: i) a sensor that, when triggered, wakes up a microcontroller unit (MCU) powered by a battery; ii) a thermal imaging camera positioned to detect warm-blooded animals within the detection zone; iii) means for acquiring the temperature and position and displaying it as multiple coordinates on an array; iv) a computing means for querying at least one of the temperature intensity and the location area and recording or rejecting an indicator signal having an associated location based on an algorithm; and v) a traffic light for transmitting data indicative of the presence of an animal of interest. Equipped with.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection device (10) for identifying the presence of a target warm-blooded animal (300) within a detection area (20), the detection device comprising: i) a sensor (30) that, when triggered, activates (42) a microcontroller unit (MCU) (40) powered by a battery (150); ii) a thermal imaging camera (50) positioned to detect warm-blooded animals (300) within the detection zone (20); iii) means (50) for obtaining the temperature (70) and the position (80) and displaying it as a plurality of coordinates (90) on an array (100); iv) a computing means (110) that queries at least one of the temperature intensity (72) and the location area (82) and records (120) or rejects (130) an indicator signal (140) having an associated location (80) based on an algorithm (112) and machine learning, and simply stores the data as a product associated with a purely quantitative or qualitative form, such as a purely numerical value associated with a coordinate; v) a traffic light (190) for transmitting data (180) indicative of the presence of a target animal (300); Equipped with.

[0013] Preferably, if the computing means determines that the signal was not a warm-blooded animal of interest, the computing means puts the MCU back into sleep mode to conserve battery power.

[0014] If the computing means determines that the signal was likely a warm-blooded animal of interest, the computing means determines whether the animal has moved within a predetermined time period, and returns the MCU to sleep mode if the predetermined time period has elapsed without further movement, or if further movement is detected within the predetermined time period, the computing means transmits data via the traffic light indicating the presence of the animal of interest.

[0015]

[0015] Preferably, the detection device is able to distinguish between sizes of animals allowing it to identify the target animal.

[0016]

[0016] Preferably, the detection device is capable of identifying the direction of movement of the animal.

[0017] In the case of rodents, the thermal imaging camera is preferably positioned above the detection area, although other configurations are contemplated.

[0018] Preferably, the thermal imaging camera has a field of view of at least 90 degrees, and more preferably a field of view of about 110 degrees.

[0019]

[0019] By varying the height of the thermal imaging camera above the detection area, it is possible to increase or decrease the area monitored.

[0020] For a camera with a 110 degree field of view, the following relationships exist - Table 1. [Table 1]

[0021]

[0021] Preferably, the traffic light is configured to transmit data in real time.

[0022]

[0022] Most preferably, the detection device is integrated into an internet enabled pest control management system.

[0023]

[0023] The components of the device, including the battery, microcontroller, and traffic light, are each removably enclosed within a housing having a thermal imaging camera, a motion detection activation sensor, and a distance sensor, which are positioned through one side of the housing for automatic calibration of height from the detection area.

[0024] The distance sensor is used to automatically calibrate the vertical distance between the thermal imaging camera and a point on the detection area.

[0025]

[0025] Generally, i) mounting a detection device above a detection area; ii) detecting the presence of an animal using a motion sensor which triggers the activation of a microcontroller unit (MCU); iii) identifying the presence of animals using a thermal imaging camera and using temperature and position sensing to identify the target animal and optionally detecting its direction of movement; iv) transmitting data to a user via a traffic light based on the acquired data to notify the user of the presence of the target animal; A method for detecting a warm-blooded animal is provided, comprising:

[0026] According to a second aspect of the present invention, i) mounting a detection device (10) above a detection area (20); ii) detecting the presence of an animal using a motion sensor which triggers activation (42) of a microcontroller unit (MCU) (40); iii) identifying the presence of animals using a thermal imaging camera (50) and identifying target animals using temperature (70) and location (80) detection; iv) transmitting data (180) to a user via a traffic light (190) based on the acquired data to notify the user of the presence of the target animal; A method for detecting a warm-blooded animal is provided, comprising: The device utilizes a means (50) for acquiring temperature (70) and location (80), representing it as a plurality of coordinates (90) on an array (100), queries at least one of temperature intensity (72) and location area (82), and records (120) or rejects (130) a signal (140) having an associated location (80) based on an algorithm (112) and machine learning, and simply stores the data as a product associated with a purely quantitative or qualitative form, such as a purely numerical value associated with the coordinates.

[0027] Preferably, the method calibrates the device by using a sensor to determine the distance between the thermal imaging camera and a point on the detection area.

[0028] The method further utilizes a motion sensor to turn on the microcontroller unit and control battery life.

[0029]

[0029] The method utilizes a means for acquiring temperature and location, displaying it as multiple coordinates on an array, querying at least one of temperature intensity and location area, and recording or rejecting the signal and associated location based on an algorithm.

[0030]

[0030] The use of algorithms and machine learning to integrate and interpret temperature and location data and simply store the data as a product associated with a simple quantitative or qualitative shape (such as a simple numerical value) associated with a coordinate allows the data stored and / or transmitted to be compact in nature, resulting in a significant increase in battery life from months to years.

[0031] Preferably, power is managed according to a protocol substantially as shown in FIG.

[0032]

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a simplified exploded view of the device of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the device of the present invention in use. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an array showing thermal detection. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a preferred method of operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034]

[0033] Figure 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of the device (10) of the present invention. The device comprises a housing (200) that houses several components therein, as further described with reference to Figure 2. At least a thermal imaging camera (50) and a motion sensor (30) protrude from the housing. Preferably, the device is positioned at a height above the detection area (20) shown in Figure 3. It also includes a sensor (60) for automatically calibrating the

[0035]

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the housing (200) comprises two plastic moldings that connect to each other. The thermal imaging camera (50) and PIR sensor (30) are mounted through the interior surfaces of the housing, as well as an ultrasonic sensor (not shown) for automatic height calibration.

[0036]

[0035] The microcontroller unit (40) in separate cases (152, 154) and the battery (150) are mounted within the enclosure, along with a connector (156). Power is managed using a power conditioner (158), and the traffic light (190) manages the transmission of data, for example, according to the protocol shown in Figure 5.

[0037] 3, the device 10 is positioned a distance d above a point 22 on the detection area 20. Since the sensitivity and range of detection depend on the distance from the ground and the field of view of the thermal imaging camera, an ultrasonic sensor or other sensor 60 may be used to achieve automatic calibration.

[0038]

[0037] When a rodent (300) enters the detection area, it triggers the motion sensor (30), which, when triggered, activates the microcontroller (40) (42). The thermal sensor (50) detects the rodent and acquires thermal imaging data, including temperature (70) and intensity (72) at the location (80) or location area (82), captured as an array (100) and coordinates (90) (Figure 4). An algorithm determines the data, which can be used to identify whether or not it matches a target animal, and depending on the result, the device can return to sleep (54) or continue monitoring, wirelessly transmitting data, including the size of the animal or its direction of movement, via traffic light (190). The device has a clock (not shown), which allows for monitoring date and time data as well as determining a time period (t), which can be used to manage the detection and power management processes.

Claims

1. A detection device (10) for identifying the presence of a target warm-blooded animal (300) within a detection zone (20), comprising: i) a sensor (30) that, when triggered, activates (42) a microcontroller unit (MCU) (40) powered by a battery (150); ii) a thermal imaging camera (50) positioned to detect said warm-blooded animals (300) within said detection zone (20); iii) means (50) for obtaining the temperature (70) and position (80) and displaying it as a plurality of coordinates (90) on an array (100); iv) a computing means (110) that queries at least one of the temperature intensity (72) and the location area (82) and records (120) or rejects (130) the indicator signal (140) with the associated location (80) based on algorithms (112) and machine learning, and simply stores the data as a product associated with a purely quantitative or qualitative form, such as a purely numerical value associated with a coordinate; v) a signal (190) for transmitting data (180) indicative of said presence of a target animal (300); A detection device (10) comprising:

2. 2. The detection device (10) of claim 1, capable of distinguishing between sizes of animals.

3. The detection device according to claim 1 or 2, which is capable of identifying the direction of movement of the animal.

4. The detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the thermal imaging camera is positioned above the detection area.

5. 5. The detection device of claim 1, wherein the thermal imaging camera has a field of view of at least 90 degrees.

6. The detection device of claim 5 , wherein the thermal imaging camera has a field of view of approximately 110 degrees.

7. 7. The detection device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the traffic light (190) is configured to transmit data (180) in real time.

8. 8. The detection device of any one of claims 1 to 7, integrated into an internet-enabled pest control management system.

9. 9. The detection device of any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a housing (200) enclosing a battery (150), a microcontroller (40), and a traffic light (190).

10. 10. The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a distance sensor (60) for calibrating a vertical distance (d) between the thermal imaging camera (50) and a point (22) on the detection area (20).

11. 1. A method for detecting a warm-blooded animal, comprising: i) installing a detection device (10) above a detection area (20); ii) detecting the presence of said animal using a motion sensor which triggers the activation (42) of a microcontroller unit (MCU) (40); iii) identifying the presence of said animals using a thermal imaging camera (50) and identifying target animals using temperature (70) and location (80) detection; iv) based on the acquired data, transmitting data (180) to a user via a traffic light (190) to notify the user of the presence of the target animal; Including, the device utilizes means (50) for acquiring temperature (70) and location (80), representing it as a plurality of coordinates (90) on an array (100), queries at least one of temperature intensity (72) and location area (82), records (120) or rejects (130) signals (140) having associated locations (80) based on algorithms (112) and machine learning, and simply stores the data as a product associated with a purely quantitative or qualitative form, such as a purely numerical value associated with the coordinates; method.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein a sensor is used to calibrate the device for the distance between the thermal imaging camera and a point (22) on the detection area (20).

13. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein a motion sensor is used to turn on the microcontroller unit to control battery life.

14. 14. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising an operational flow substantially as shown in Figure 5.

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