A device for size discriminating eradication of rodents

Abstract

An eradication device 100 for killing rodents, such as rats is disclosed. The eradication device, in the orientation intended during use, comprises: a housing 2, a firing mechanism 200, sensor means 6, and a power source 8. The power source 8 is configured for powering said sensor means 6 and said firing mechanism 200. The housing 2 comprises said firing mechanism 200, and the firing mechanism 200 comprises one or more killing means 10; wherein said firing mechanism is configured, upon receiving a trigger signal TS, to eject one or more of said killing means 10 from a non-ejected, stand-by configuration, thereby making said killing means 10 arrive at an ejected configuration. The eradication device is being configured to perform a size assessment of a rodent being detected by the sensor means 6 so as to assess whether that rodent is having a relatively small size or a relatively large size, said relatively small size and said relatively large size are being distinguished by a predetermined threshold magnitude TM of rodents. The eradication device is further being configured, upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means, to make said firing mechanism 200 receive said trigger signal TS and thereby eject one or more of said killing means 10 in such a way that, said firing mechanism 200 will receive said trigger signal TS more frequent in cases where a rodent having a relatively large size is being detected, compared to cases where a rodent having a relatively small size is being detected, in accordance with a predetermined activation algorithm. (Fig. 2)

Description

[0001] A device for size discriminating eradication of rodents

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of eradication of pests in the form of rodents, such as rats. The present invention is in particularly intended for use in the interior of underground sewer pipes.

[0004] Accordingly, the present invention relates in a first aspect to an eradication device for eradicating rodents, such as rats.

[0005] In a second aspect the present invention relates to an eradication system comprising a number of eradication devices according to the first aspect of the invention in combination with a central data logger.

[0006] In a third aspect the present invention provides a use of an eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention or of an eradication system according to the second aspect of the invention for eradicating rodents.

[0007] In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a method for eradicating rodents by use of one or more eradication devices according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0008] Background of the invention

[0009] For centuries rats have been considered by humans to represent pest which contribute no beneficial purpose. On the contrary, rats are known to exhibit a rather destructive behavior in that they are capable of destroying buildings and other types of structures by constructing tunnels and by gnawing through elements of structures and thereby undermine foundations of such structures. In addition, rats are known to be carrier of a vast selection of pathogens, which may be harmful to human beings.

[0010] For this reason, there is a strong interest in eradicating rats in area where people are present.

[0011] To this end, various types of rat traps have been developed which are designed to capture and kill a single rat. After each trapping and killing of a single rat, the rat must manually be removed from the trap and the rat trap will have to be manually reloaded in order to be prepared for continuing rat killing.

[0012] It is well known that rats have a reproduction rate of a magnitude which means that two rats can proliferate into more than 1,000 rats in the time span of a single year. Accordingly, more automated rat killing devises would be needed in order to efficiently suppress the proliferation of rats.

[0013] One such automated rat killing device is disclosed in WO 2008 / 046424 Al. This document discloses an automatically operated rat trap. The rat trap is intended for being used in the interior of a sewer pipe and it comprises a firing mechanism which comprises an anchoring plate comprising a number of spikes and which is automatically fired upon detection, by a sensor, the presence of a rat within the reach of the spikes. Upon firing, the spikes penetrate through holes in the plate and pierce the rat which has been detected by the sensor. The rat trap holds the spikes in this piercing configuration for a predetermined period of time after which the spikes are being withdrawn through the holes in the anchoring plate. This withdrawal thus represents preparing the firing mechanism for yet another firing cycle of the spikes. Upon withdrawal of the spikes the anchoring plate serves as a stop means preventing the rat to be withdraw into a housing of the rat trap, and thereby makes the rat be released from the rat trap and allowed to be flushed away with sewer liquid flowing in the sewer system into which the rat trap is arranged. The rat trap of WO 2008 / 046424 Al also comprises an energy supply for powering the firing mechanism and the sensor.

[0014] For obvious reason the rat trap disclosed in WO 2008 / 046424 Al represents a huge improvement in relation to the manually operated rat traps, because the rat trap of WO 2008 / 046424 Al provides for automatically reloading of the trap and automatically killing rats and removing of killed rats. Accordingly, the rat trap of WO 2008 / 046424 Al, when used in great numbers in a sewer system, will enable an efficient suppression of growth of rat populations.

[0015] The inventors of the present invention have found that in an underground sewer system comprising a network of sewer pipes, adult rats tend to be reluctant to revert to a location where a juvenile rat has previous been killed.

[0016] This observation is especially prevailing in respect of mother rats moving around with her offspring. Until juvenile rats have reach reproductive maturity at an age of 8 - 12 weeks and at an approximate size of 175 - 300 g and at a body length (excluding tail portion) of approximately 12 - 15 cm, they tend to move along in close proximity to their mother. After having reached reproductive maturity, the young rats to a larger extent tend to move around independent of their mother.

[0017] In a case where a rat mother along with her offspring is approaching a rat eradication device and that eradication device kills one of the offspring rat, the mother will observe this killing and remember the location of that rat trap. In order to avoid a new incident of such a killing, the rat mother will in future attempt to avoid the location of that rat trap where she has just witnessed one of her offspring being killed.

[0018] On the other hand, the surviving juvenile rats being siblings to the killed offspring rat tend not to have the same understanding and memory and do not possess the same degree of cautiousness in relation to approaching that specific rat eradication device in the future.

[0019] The consequence is accordingly that in respect of a rat mother having witnessed a killing of an offspring rat by a specific rat eradication device at a specific location, that specific rat eradication device in essence becomes inefficient in relation to having that mother rat killed. Accordingly, a need for improved technology which solves the above-identified problems exists.

[0020] It is an objective of the present invention to provide technologies fulfilling this need.

[0021] Brief description of the invention

[0022] This objective is fulfilled according to the present invention in its various aspects.

[0023] Accordingly, the present invention relates in its first aspect to an eradication device for killing rodents, such as rats, wherein said eradication device, in the orientation intended during use, comprises:

[0024] -a housing;

[0025] -a firing mechanism;

[0026] -sensor means;

[0027] -a power source; wherein said power source is configured for powering said sensor means and said firing mechanism; wherein said housing comprises said firing mechanism; wherein said firing mechanism comprises one or more killing means; wherein said firing mechanism is configured, upon receiving a trigger signal, to eject one or more of said killing means from a non-ejected, stand-by configuration, thereby making said killing means arrive at an ejected configuration; wherein said killing means of said firing mechanism comprises a free first end comprising an impact element for killing said rodent upon impact, caused by ejection of said killing means; wherein said sensor means is arranged relative to said killing means in such a way that said sensor means is being configured to be able to sense a presence of a rodent at a location which is within reach of an impact element of one or more of said killing means, when said killing means is being in its ejected configuration; wherein said eradication device is being configured to perform a size assessment of a rodent being detected by said sensor means so as to assess whether that rodent is having a relatively small size or a relatively large size, said relatively small size and said relatively large size are being distinguished by a predetermined threshold magnitude of rodents; and wherein said eradication device is being configured, upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means, to make said firing mechanism receive said trigger signal and thereby eject one or more of said killing means in such a way that, said firing mechanism will receive said trigger signal more frequent in cases where a rodent having a relatively large size is being detected, compared to cases where a rodent having a relatively small size is being detected in accordance with a predetermined activation algorithm.

[0028] In its second aspect the present invention relates to an eradication system comprising one or more eradication devices according to the first aspect of the present invention in combination with a central data logger; wherein in respect of one or more of said one or more eradication devices, said eradication devices comprises an electronic controller and a wireless communication unit, and optionally also an electronic inclinometer, optionally also an electronic conductivity sensor for measuring electric conductivity of water in a sewer, optionally also a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of water in a sewer, and optionally also a sensor for measuring the water level in a sewer; wherein said electronic controller is being configured to communicate to said wireless communication unit, activity information relating to activities or conditions of said eradication device.

[0029] In a third aspect the present invention provides a use of an eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention or of an eradication system according to the second aspect of the present invention for eradicating rodents, such as rats.

[0030] In a fourth aspect the present invention provides method for eradicating rodents, such as rats, wherein said method comprises the following steps: i) providing one or more eradication devices according to the first aspect of the inevntion; ii) arranging said one or more eradication devices in the interior of a sewer pipe of a sewer system; iii) enabling a rodent, such as a rat to approach one or more of said eradication devices; iv) in respect of such an eradication device, enabling said sensor means of said eradication device to sense a presence of said rodent; v) upon sensing the presence of said rodent, and in accordance with said predetermined threshold magnitude and said activation algorithm, enabling said sensor means to make said firing mechanism receive said trigger signal and thereby make said firing mechanism eject one or more of said killing means, thereby killing said rodent by mechanical impact with said impact element.

[0031] With the present invention in its various aspects is attained that that a mother rat moving around with her offspring rats will not avoid approaching a specific rat eradication device located at a specific location for the particular reason that the mother rat has not previously witnessed one of her offspring rats being killed by that specific rat eradication device.

[0032] Thereby the rat eradication devices arranged in a sewer system will more efficiently be able to eradicate the rat population living therein. It should be noted that with the present invention, the juvenile rats will to a large extent survive until they reach a certain size as defined by the predetermined threshold magnitude TM. This is however not a major problem, as the juvenile rats, due to their smaller size, are not capable of providing the same degree of mechanical destruction. Also, once a juvenile rat has reached a size corresponding the predetermined threshold magnitude TM, that juvenile rat can no longer feel safe upon approaching an eradication device according to the present invention.

[0033] Accordingly, it is more desired to kill adult rats which are more harmful than juvenile rats due to their greater physical destroying power and due to their ability to breed.

[0034] Brief description of the figures

[0035] Fig. 1 is a drawing illustrating in a perspective view an eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention having its killing means in a non-ejected, standby configuration.

[0036] Fig. 2 is a drawing illustrating in a perspective view an eradication device of Fig. 1 having its killing means in its ejected configuration.

[0037] Fig. 3a is an end view of the eradication device of Fig. 1.

[0038] Fig. 3b is an end view of the eradication device of Fig. 2.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a partly see-through view of the eradication device of Fig. 1 having its killing means in a non-ejected, standby configuration.

[0040] Fig. 5a is a perspective view of a firing mechanism of an eradication device according to the present invention, wherein the killings means are in its ejected configuration.

[0041] Fig. 5b is a perspective view of the firing mechanism of Fig. 5a, wherein the firing mechanism is in the process of being reloaded.

[0042] Fig. 5c is a perspective view of the firing mechanism of Fig. 5b, wherein the firing mechanism has been fully reloaded.

[0043] Fig. 6a is a diagram schematically illustrating the working mode of one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0044] Fig. 6b is a diagram schematically illustrating the working mode of another embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the processing steps involved from detection of the presence of a rodent, such as a rat by the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention, to the decision to kill or not kill that rodent.

[0046] Fig 8a. is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the killing means of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention. Fig. 8b is an end view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 8a.

[0047] Fig. 8c is a plan view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 8a.

[0048] Fig. 8d is a side view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 8a.

[0049] Fig. 9a is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the killing means of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0050] Fig. 9b is an end view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 9a.

[0051] Fig. 9c is a plan view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 9a.

[0052] Fig. 9d is a side view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 9a.

[0053] Fig. 10a is a perspective view illustrating yet another embodiment of the killing means of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0054] Fig. 10b is an end view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 10a.

[0055] Fig. 10c is a plan view of the killing means illustrated in Fig.10a.

[0056] Fig. lOd is a side view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 10a.

[0057] Fig. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the concept of an eradication system according to second aspect of the present invention.

[0058] Detailed description of the invention

[0059] The first aspect of the present invention

[0060] In a first aspect the present invention relates to an eradication device 100 for killing rodents, such as rats, wherein said eradication device, in the orientation intended during use, comprises:

[0061] -a housing 2;

[0062] -a firing mechanism 200;

[0063] -sensor means 6;

[0064] -a power source 8; wherein said power source 8 is configured for powering said sensor means 6 and said firing mechanism 200; wherein said housing 2 comprises said firing mechanism 200; wherein said firing mechanism 200 comprises one or more killing means 10; wherein said firing mechanism is configured, upon receiving a trigger signal TS, to eject one or more of said killing means 10 from a non-ejected, stand-by configuration, thereby making said killing means 10 arrive at an ejected configuration; wherein said killing means 10 of said firing mechanism 200 comprises a free first end 12 comprising an impact element 14 for killing said rodent upon impact, caused by ejection of said killing means 10; wherein said sensor means 6 is arranged relative to said killing means 10 in such a way that said sensor means 6 is being configured to be able to sense a presence of a rodent at a location which is within reach of an impact element 14 of one or more of said killing means, when said killing means is being in its ejected configuration; wherein said eradication device is being configured to perform a size assessment of a rodent being detected by said sensor means 6 so as to assess whether that rodent is having a relatively small size or a relatively large size, said relatively small size and said relatively large size are being distinguished by a predetermined threshold magnitude TM of rodents; and wherein said eradication device is being configured, upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means, to make said firing mechanism 200 receive said trigger signal TS and thereby eject one or more of said killing means 10 in such a way that, said firing mechanism 200 will receive said trigger signal TS more frequent in cases where a rodent having a relatively large size is being detected, compared to cases where a rodent having a relatively small size is being detected, in accordance with a predetermined activation algorithm.

[0065] Accordingly, the eradication device is configured in such a way that whether or not the killing means are to be ejected from the non-ejected, stand-by configuration, so as to arrive at the ejected configuration, by transmission of said trigger signal TS to said firing mechanism 200, upon sensing of a rodent by said sensing means, is based on a size discrimination of the rodent being detected. This accordingly implies that the eradication device will predominantly kill relatively large rodents, compared to relatively small rodents, as determined by that predetermined threshold magnitude TM of rodents.

[0066] In the present description and in the appended claims, the term “relatively small size” and “relatively large size” of a rodent shall be construed to be assessed relative to each other so that the term “relatively small size” means a size which is smaller than a “relatively large size” and vice versa.

[0067] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism 200 will receive said trigger signal TS every time a rodent having a relatively large size is being detected.

[0068] Hereby a very efficient eradication device is attained.

[0069] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism 200 will receive said trigger signal TS less frequent than every time a rodent having a relatively large size is being detected. In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism 200 will receive said trigger signal TS in situations where rodent having a relatively large size is being detected at a frequency over time selected from the ranges of 50 - 99 %, such as 55 - 97 %, for example 60 - 95 %, such as 65 - 90 %, for example 70 - 85 % or 75 - 80%.

[0070] Hereby the eradication device may be less efficient than optimally possible.

[0071] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism 200 will never receive said trigger signal TS, in a situation where a rodent having a relatively small size is being detected.

[0072] Hereby killing of “relatively small” rodents is completely avoided.

[0073] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism 200 will receive said trigger signal TS, in a situation where a rodent having a relatively small size is being detected, more frequent than never.

[0074] Hereby killing of relatively small rodents is not completely avoided.

[0075] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism 200 will receive said trigger signal TS in situations where rodent having a relatively small size is being detected at a frequency over time selected from the ranges of 1 - 50 %, such as 3 - 45 %, for example 5 - 40 %, such as 10 - 35 %, e.g. 15 - 30 % or 20 - 25 %.

[0076] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the eradication device is being configured to perform said size assessment of a rodent being detected by said sensor means 6, based on an assessed weight of said rodent, or based on an assessed physical dimension of said rodent, such as length of said rodent, or based on an assesses aspect or outline as sensed by said sensor means.

[0077] A weight of a detected rodent may be assessed from combinations of various dimensions of that rodent, whereas the length of a detected rodent may be assessed from a single dimension of that rodent, viz. the length thereof.

[0078] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the assessment of said relative size of said rodent is defined as follows: “relatively small rodent” < TM < “relatively large rodent”, or wherein the assessment of said relative size of said rodent is defined as follows: “relatively small rodent” < TM < “relatively large rodent”.

[0079] Accordingly, in the former definition the predetermined threshold magnitude TM is included in the definition of a relatively small rodent, whereas in the latter definition the predetermined threshold magnitude TM is included in the definition of a relatively large rodent.

[0080] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the threshold magnitude TM relates to an estimated weight of said rodent and is being a specific value selected from the ranges of 150 - 525 g, such as 175 - 500 g, such as 200 - 475 g, for example 225 - 450 g, for example 250 - 425 g, such as 275 - 400 g, for example 300 - 375 g, such as 325 - 350 g; or alternatively the threshold magnitude TM relates to an estimated body length (with or without tail portion) of said rodent and is being a specific value selected from the ranges of 6 - 19 cm, for example 7 - 18 cm, such as 8 - 17 cm, e.g. 9 - 16 cm, such as 10 - 15 cm, e.g. 11 - 14 cm or 12 - 13 cm.

[0081] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the eradication device comprises an electronic controller 20, wherein said electronic controller comprises a sensor signal processing unit 600 connected to said sensor means 6 and being configured to receive a sensing signal SS transmitted by said sensor means 6 upon its sensing of presence of a rodent, wherein said sensor signal processing unit 600 is being configured to assess the relative size of said rodent as being either of said relatively small size or of said relatively large size, as distinguished by said predetermined threshold magnitude TM; wherein said electronic controller 20 is being connected to said firing mechanism 200; and wherein said electronic controller 20 is being configured, in accordance with said predetermined activation algorithm, to transmit to said firing mechanism 200, said trigger signal TS, thereby causing one or more of said one or more killing means 10 to be ejected from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration so as to arrive at its ejected configuration.

[0082] In this way the electronic controller may be responsible of the control of the eradication device.

[0083] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor signal processing unit 600 is being connected to an activation filter 602 having embedded therein said activation algorithm, wherein in a situation where said signal processing unit 600 has registered the presence of a rodent having a relatively large size, said electronic controller 20 is being configured to transmit to said firing mechanism 200, said trigger signal TS in accordance with said activation algorithm; and wherein in a situation where said signal processing unit 600 has registered the presence of a rodent having a relatively small size, said electronic controller 20 is being configured to transmit to said firing mechanism 200, said trigger signal TS in accordance with said activation algorithm.

[0084] In this way and in accordance with the activation algorithm embedded in the activation filter 602, the eradication device may in some instances not fire the firing mechanism in a situation in which a relatively large rodent has been detected. Likewise, in this way and in accordance with the activation algorithm embedded in the activation filter 602, the eradication device may in some instances fire the firing mechanism even though a situation in which a relatively small rodent has been detected applies.

[0085] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the activation algorithm is being based on historic events or wherein said activation algorithm is being based on randomization.

[0086] Hereby can be defined, the proportion of instances in which the eradication device shall deviate from the general principle that a relatively large rat shall be eradicated and a relatively small rat shall not be eradicated. In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor means 6 comprises an image capturing device coupled to said signal processing unit 600 being in the form of an image processing device, wherein said image processing device is being configured to analyze images captured, and on the basis thereof provide said size assessment of said rodent.

[0087] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image analysis is being performed by said image processing device is being based on patch features, such as colour distinction, edge detection, morphology, entropy of image patches making up such images.

[0088] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic controller 20, such as on a data memory 22 thereof, comprises a representation of learning images, and said image processing device is being configured to consult said representation of learning images, wherein one or more of said images of said representation of learning images comprises a real image or an artificially generated image, such as a computer generated image, of a rodent, such as a rat, and wherein one or more of said images of said representation of learning images has been allocated with information correlating said image with information relating to the size of that rodent.

[0089] In this way image analysis, such as image analysis of video images may form the basis for the assessment of the size of the rodent.

[0090] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor means comprises one or more IR sensors, such as PIR (Passive InfraRed) sensors, wherein said one or more sensors is / are being configured to provide to said electronic controller, a sensor signal SS representing heat and / or spatial extension of a rodent being detected.

[0091] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor means comprises two or more PIR sensors 6a, 6b.

[0092] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic controller is configured to assess that a rodent, being detected, is having said relatively large size only in case two or more of said PIR sensors are transmitting to said electronic controller 20, a sensor signal SS lying within a predetermined ranges and thus corresponding to a magnitude representing “a relatively large rodent” as defined by said predetermined threshold magnitude TM of a rodent.

[0093] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor means 6 comprises two or more sensors which are being arranged in line on said eradication device, such as in a direction corresponding to the direction of a passing rodent, in a situation where said eradication device in being arranged in a sewer pipe in the intended orientation.

[0094] An array of PIR sensors may be included as sensor means 6, 6a, 6b in the eradication device in such a way that each of the PIR sensors pairwise perform sensing in an overlapping spatial range, thereby being able to perform the size assessment of a rodent. By making trials of a plurality of rodents being detected by such PIR sensors, it is possible to correlate features of such PIR sensor signals to the corresponding rodent size with the view to subsequently assess the size of rodents being detected by the PIR sensors.

[0095] In one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the eradication device, such as said electronic controller 20 thereof, comprises input means 604 for adjusting or altering said predetermined threshold magnitude TM, wherein said input means 604 optionally is being coupled to said electronic controller 20.

[0096] Hereby the predetermined threshold magnitude TM of the eradication device is not necessarily constant or fixed, but may be altered, if desired.

[0097] The second aspect of the present invention

[0098] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to an eradication system 400 comprising one or more eradication devices 100 according to the first aspect in combination with a central data logger 48; wherein in respect of one or more of said one or more eradication devices 100, said eradication devices comprises an electronic controller 20 and a wireless communication unit 50, and optionally also an electronic inclinometer, optionally also an electronic conductivity sensor for measuring electric conductivity of water in a sewer, optionally also a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of water in a sewer, and optionally also a sensor for measuring the water level in a sewer; wherein said electronic controller 20 is being configured to communicate to said wireless communication unit 50, activity information relating to activities or conditions of said eradication device 100.

[0099] In one embodiment of the eradication system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the activity information relates to one or more of the following:

[0100] -predetermined threshold magnitude TM of said eradication device 100;

[0101] -a rodent has been detected by said sensor means 6;

[0102] -said firing mechanism 200, such as said ejector mechanism 202 of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means 10 and thereby brought said killing means from its non-ejected stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration;

[0103] -said firing mechanism 200, such as said reloading mechanism 204 of said firing mechanism has brought said killing means 10 from its ejected configuration to its non-ejected, stand-by position;

[0104] -identity of the specific eradication device being active;

[0105] -geographical position of the specific eradication device being active;

[0106] -activities relating to power consumption, optionally as a function of time;

[0107] -estimated size of rodents being detected by said sensor means; -number of times that said firing mechanism 200 has ejected said killing means 10, such as number of times that said ejector mechanism 202 of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means 10;

[0108] -inclination of said eradication device;

[0109] -electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe;

[0110] -water level of water in a sewer pipe;

[0111] -temperature of water in a sewer pipe;

[0112] -electric capacity and / or voltage of said power source;

[0113] -time stamps relating to time of occurrence of any of the above-mentioned activities; and wherein said communication unit 50 is configured to transmit to said central data logger 48 by wireless transmission, information representing said activity information.

[0114] Monitoring such activity information provides a access to in depth information relating various activities and conditions in the interior of sewer pipes of a sewer system.

[0115] In one embodiment of the eradication system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the central data logger 48 is being in the form of a central data server.

[0116] In one embodiment of the eradication system according to the second aspect of the present invention and in respect of one or more of said eradication devices 100, said wireless communication unit 50 of said eradication device is being in the form of a communication unit, such as a modem, configured to communicate via an existing cellular mobile phone network.

[0117] In one embodiment of the eradication system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the number of eradication devices 100 of said system is selected from the ranges of 1 - 10,000 or more, such as 5 - 5,000; for example 20 - 3,000, such as 50 - 2,000, e.g. 100 - 1,000, such as 200 - 900, for example 300 - 800, such as 400 - 700 or 500 - 600.

[0118] Such numbers of eradication devices 100 in an eradication system 400 enables very details information relating to a sewer system stretching a large area.

[0119] The third aspect of the present invention

[0120] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a use of an eradication device 100 according to the first aspect of the invention or of an eradication system 400 according to the second aspect of the invention for eradicating rodents, such as rats. In one embodiment of the use according to the third aspect of the present invention, the use takes place in the interior of a sewer system.

[0121] The fourth aspect of the present invention

[0122] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for eradicating rodents, such as rats, wherein said method comprises the following steps: i) providing one or more eradication devices 100 according to the first aspect of the invention; ii) arranging said one or more eradication devices 100 in the interior of a sewer pipe of a sewer system; iii) enabling a rodent, such as a rat to approach one or more of said eradication devices 100; iv) in respect of such an eradication device 100, enabling said sensor means 6 of said eradication device 100 to sense a presence of said rodent; v) upon sensing the presence of said rodent, and in accordance with said predetermined threshold magnitude TM and said activation algorithm, enabling said sensor means 6 to make said firing mechanism 200 receive said trigger signal TS and thereby make said firing mechanism eject one or more of said killing means 10, thereby killing said rodent by mechanical impact with said impact element.

[0123] In one embodiment of the method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the method further comprising the step of: vi) automatically making said killing means 10 return to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

[0124] In one embodiment of the method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the method further comprising the step of: vii) allowing said killed rodent to be flushed away by water or slurry flowing in the interior said sewer pipe.

[0125] In one embodiment of the method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the one or more eradication devices 100 form(s) part of an eradication system 400 according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0126] In order to better illustrate the present invention, reference is now made to the drawings, in which Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are drawings illustrating in a perspective view an eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention having its killing means in a non-ejected, standby configuration (Fig. 1) and in its ejected configuration (Fig. 2), respectively.

[0127] Fig. 1 shows the eradication device 100 comprising a housing 2 in the form of a vertically extending enclosure 36 with an upper end 38 and a lower end 40. At a lower end of the housing 2 is arranged a mounting assembly comprising a bottom plate 302, and two mounting elements 300.

[0128] The bottom plate 302 comprises through-going openings 46, thereby allowing killing means 10 to be ejected from the interior 42 of the housing though the bottom plate 302.

[0129] Also seen in Fig. 1 is the sensor means 6 comprising two sensors 6a and 6b. The sensors are arranged at an underside of the bottom plate 302.

[0130] The sensors are PIR sensors (Passive Infra Red). One example of such a sensor is: Murata IRA-S210ST01.

[0131] The mounting elements 300 are coupled to bottom plate 302. Thereby the eradication device may easily be fastened to the interior of a sewer pipe of a sewer system.

[0132] The eradication device 100 according to the first aspect is intended to be arranged in a vertically extending manhole of a sewer system, which manhole extends between a horizontally extending, underground sewer pipe and the ground surface.

[0133] In Fig. 1 the eradication device is in its non-ejected standby configuration and the killing mean 10 are being accommodated within the housing 2 of the eradication device.

[0134] Fig. 2 shows the eradication device 100 of Fig. 1 with its killing means 10 in its ejected configuration. It is seen that the eradication device comprises two killing means 10. Each killing means 10 comprises an impact element 14 which is being defined by the lower rim of the killing means 10.

[0135] As explained in more detail below, the sensors 6a, 6b are configured to sense a presence of a rodent and upon such sensing bringing the eradication device and the killing means from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration, where the killing means 10 are accommodated in the interior 42 of the housing 2, to its ejected configuration, where the killing means 10 are ejected from the interior 42 of the housing 2 with the view to impact such a rodent, the presence of which has been detected by the sensor means 6, 6a, 6b.

[0136] However the killing of rodent being detected does not take place uncritically. Rather, according to the invention, the killing of the rodents being detected takes place on basis of a size discrimination as explained in further detail below.

[0137] Fig. 3a and 3b illustrate end views of the configurations of the eradication device illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2, respectively.

[0138] Fig. 4 is a partly see-through view of the housing of the eradication device of Fig. 1 having its killing means in a non-ejected, standby configuration.

[0139] Fig. 4 illustrates the interior 42 of the eradication device 100 of the first aspect of the present invention. It is seen that the interior 42 of the eradication device 100 comprises a firing mechanism 200 comprising an ejector mechanism 202 and a reloading mechanism 204, a power source 8 in the form of a battery, and an electronic controller 20.

[0140] The power source 8 is for powering the sensor means 6 and the firing mechanism 200.

[0141] The firing mechanism is configured, upon receiving a trigger signal TS, to eject the killing means 10 from the non-ejected, stand-by configuration, as illustrated in Fig. 1 and 3a, to its ejected configuration as illustrated in Fig. 2 and 3b, where the killing means 10 has been ejected.

[0142] It is seen in Fig. 4 that the sensor means 6 is arranged below the horizontally arranged plate 44 at the lower portion of the eradication device 100. Hereby, the sensor means 6 is able to sense a presence of a rodent at a location which is within reach of an impact element 14 of one or more of the killing means, when the killing means is in its ejected configuration.

[0143] Also seen in Fig. 4 is the presence of a spindle arrangement 214 comprising a spindle 216 being driven by a motor 218 which collectively are being part of the reloading mechanism 204.

[0144] The working mode of the firing mechanism 200 and of the reloading mechanism 204 in particular is further explained with reference to Fig. 5a, 5b and 5c.

[0145] Fig. 5a is a perspective view of a firing mechanism of an eradication device according to the present invention, wherein the killings means are in its ejected configuration.

[0146] Fig. 5a shows the firing mechanism 200 which integrally comprises an ejector mechanism 202 and a reloading mechanism 204.

[0147] Fig. 5a shows that two killing means 10 are mounted to a movable support element 208. The movable support element 208 is able to slide up and down along the extension of four guide members 210 between a lower position and a stationary support element 230 arranged at the top.

[0148] Fig. 5a shows that the ejector mechanism 202 is being spring-loaded in that a spring 212 is wound around two of the four guide members 210 in such a way that these two springs participate in ejecting the killing means 10 from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration.

[0149] Fig. 5a shows that the reloading mechanism 204 comprises a spindle arrangement 214 comprising a spindle 216, a motor 218 for driving that spindle 216, a lifting element 220 for lifting the movable support element 208, and a tube 222 which is being connected to the movable support element 208, and finally also an electrically actuated lock 224.

[0150] It is seen that the tube 222 is surrounding the spindle 216.

[0151] The lifting element 220 comprises a threaded hole 226 engaging with the spindle 216 and the lifting element 220 is being arranged below the movable support element 208. Also seen in Fig. 5a is that the tube 222 comprises an engagement element 228 in the form of a collar at an upper part thereof.

[0152] The electrically actuated lock 224 is configured to change configuration between a looking configuration in which said lock is engaging with the collar 228 of the tube 222 and an unlocking configuration in which the electrically actuated lock 224 is disengaging from that collar 226 of the tube 222, and vice versa. This will happen upon supplying an electrical signal to the electrically actuated lock 224.

[0153] The lifting element 220 is being arranged so as to not become brought into rotation upon rotation of the spindle 216. This is ensured by being held in place by the guide members 210.

[0154] The reloading mechanism 204 is configured, when the eradication device is being in its ejected configuration as shown in Fig. la, to lift the movable support element 208, and thereby also lift said killing means 10, upon turning the spindle in one rotational direction via the motor 218. Hereby the springs 212 will be compressed.

[0155] This situation is illustrated in Fig. 5b.

[0156] Fig. 5b is a perspective view of the firing mechanism of Fig. 5a, wherein the firing mechanism is in the process of being reloaded.

[0157] Fig. 5b shows that the movable support element 208, and thereby also the tube 222 have been lifted a predetermined distance. In the configuration illustrated in Fig. 5b, the electrically actuated lock 224 is ready to engage with the collar 228 of the tube 222 and thereby lock the position of the movable support element 208 into a locked position.

[0158] In this situation the spindle 216 can be brought to rotational movement in an opposite rotational direction via the motor 218. Hereby the spindle will lower the movable lifting element 220, whereafter the movable support element 208 is free to be moved by action of the springs 212, once the electrically actuated lock 224 disengages from the collar 228.

[0159] This situation is illustrated in Fig. 5c. In this situation the reloading of the firing mechanism 200 is complete.

[0160] Fig. 6a is a diagram schematically illustrating the working mode of one embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0161] Fig. 6a shows that the eradication device 100 comprising an electronic controller 20, sensor means 6, an ejector mechanism 202 of a firing mechanism 200, a reloading mechanism 204 of a firing mechanism 200 and a wireless communication unit 50.

[0162] A power source 8 in the form of a battery is powering the electronic controller 20, the sensor means 6, the ejector mechanism 202, the reloading mechanism 204 and the wireless communication unit 50.

[0163] Also seen is that the electronic controller comprises a sensor signal processing unit 600. When the sensor means 6 detect a presence of a rodent, such as a rat, the sensor will send a sensor signal SS to the sensor signal processing unit 600 of the electronic controller 20. The sensor signal processing unit 600 is configured to assess whether the rodent being detected by the sensor means 6 is being a rodent having a relatively small size or is being a rodent having a relatively large size, said relatively small size and said relatively large size are being distinguished by a predetermined threshold magnitude TM of said rodent.

[0164] In case the size of the rodent being detected is assessed as being relatively large, the electronic controller 20 will send a trigger signal TS to the ejector mechanism 202. Upon receiving such as trigger signal TS the firing mechanism 200 will change its configuration from its nonejected, stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration, and thereby eject the killing means 10.

[0165] In the other case, where the size of the rodent being detected is assessed as being relatively small, the electronic controller 20 will not send the trigger signal TS to the ejector mechanism 202, and thus, in this situation, the sensed rodent will not be killed.

[0166] Subsequent to having ejected the killing means, the electronic controller will transmit reload instructions RI to the reloading device 204.

[0167] With reference to Fig. 5a, 5b and 5c, such reload instructions RI may constitute instructions leading to the following actions: i) make the motor rotate in one rotational direction so as to raise the movable support element 208 and thereby the killing means 10; ii) make the electrically actuated lock 224 engage with the collar 228, and thereby lock the position of the movable support element 208; iii) make the motor rotate in the opposite rotational direction so as to lower the movable lifting element 220, whereby the movable support element 208 with its killing means is free, via spring loading, to be ejected to its ejected configuration, once the electrically actuated lock 224 disengages with the collar 228 when a trigger signal TS has been send to the electronic controller 20. This will in turn imply making the electrically actuated lock 224 disengage with the collar 228.

[0168] Also seen in Fig. 6a is that the electronic controller 20 is connected to a data memory 22 which may store information relating to occurrences of varies activities and time stamps of such activities of the eradication device 100.

[0169] Fig. 6a also shows that a input means 604 is being coupled to the electronic controller 20.

[0170] The input means 604 allows for, at an electronic level, adjusting or changing the magnitude of the predetermined threshold magnitude, TM i.e. the size of a rodent which according to the invention is distinguishing a rodent having a relatively large size from a rodent having a relatively small size.

[0171] Fig. 6b is a diagram schematically illustrating the working mode of an alternative embodiment of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0172] The set-up of the embodiment in Fig. 6b is similar to that of Fig. 6a with the exception that the electronic controller in addition comprises an activation filter 602. The purpose of the activation filter is to broaden the working principle of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6a in such a way that when a rodent is being detected, having a relatively large size, not necessarily always will the electronic controller transmit that trigger signal TS to the firing mechanism, and in such a way that when a rodent is being detected, having a relatively small size, then maybe sometimes will the electronic controller transmit that trigger signal TS to the firing mechanism.

[0173] The activation filter 604 may be controlled by a predetermined activation algorithm being embedded in the electronics of the electronic controller 20.

[0174] Accordingly, inclusion of the activation filter 602 comprising an activation algorithm, may imply that the firing mechanism 200 will receive the trigger signal TS less frequent than every time a rodent having a relatively large size is being detected.

[0175] Likewise, inclusion of the activation filter 602 comprising the activation algorithm, may imply that the firing mechanism 200 will receive the trigger signal TS more frequent than never, in cases where a rodent having a relatively small size is being detected.

[0176] This is further illustrated in Fig. 7.

[0177] Fig. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the processing steps or “decision making steps” involved from detection of the presence of a rodent, such as a rat by the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention, to the decision to kill or not kill that rodent.

[0178] Fig 7 shows that first a presence of a rodent is detected by the sensor means 6 of the eradication device of the present invention (level 1 from above In Fig. 7).

[0179] Subsequently, the sensor signal processing unit 600 will assess the size of the rodent being detected and hence assess whether the detected rodent is having a relative large size or a relatively small size, as defined by a predetermined threshold magnitude TM of a rodent (level 2 and 3 from above In Fig. 7).

[0180] In a case where the sensor signal processing unit 600 assesses the size of the rodent as having a relative large, the activation algorithm which may be embedded in the activation filter 602 of the electronic controller 20, may either make the killing means 10 become ejected from its non-ejected, standby configuration, by making the electronic controller 20 transmit a trigger signal TS to the firing mechanism 200, or the activation algorithm may make the killing means 10 stay in its non-ejected, standby configuration, by not making the electronic controller 20 transmit a trigger signal TS to the firing mechanism 200 (see lower three left boxes in Fig. 7).

[0181] Similarly, in a case where the sensor signal processing unit 600 assesses the size of the rodent as having a relatively small size, the activation algorithm may either make the killing means 10 become ejected from its non-ejected, standby configuration, by making the electronic controller 20 transmit a trigger signal TS to the firing mechanism 200, or the activation algorithm may make the killing means 10 stay in its non-ejected, standby configuration, by not making the electronic controller 20 transmit a trigger signal TS to the firing mechanism 200 (see lower three right boxes in Fig. 7). In any situation the eradication device is configured in such a way that upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means, the firing mechanism 200 will receive the trigger signal TS and thereby eject one or more of said killing means 10 more frequent in cases where a rodent having a relatively large size is being detected, compared to cases where a rodent having a relatively small size is being detected in accordance with that predetermined activation algorithm.

[0182] Fig 8a is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the killing means of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0183] Fig. 8a shows that the killing means 10 comprises three rods 26. All three of these are having an upper end 28 and two are having a lower end 30 extending to the lower portion of the killing means 10. The rods 26 at their respective lower ends 30 are being connected to each other by a plate element 32. A lower rim 34 of said plate element defines said impact element 14.

[0184] It is seen that the plate element 32 is having the shape of a segment of a cylinder wall.

[0185] The impact element 14 is being a blunt impact element for ensuring a non-invasive killing of said rodent.

[0186] Fig. 8b is an end view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 8a as seen from above.

[0187] Fig. 8c is a plan view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 8a.

[0188] Fig. 8d is a side view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 8a.

[0189] Fig. 9a is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the killing means of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0190] Fig. 9a shows that the killing means 10 comprises three rods 26. All three of these are having an upper end 28 and a lower end 30. The rods 26 at their respective middle part are being connected to each other by plate elements 32. The lower end 30 of each of the rods 26 defines the impact element 14.

[0191] Fig. 9b is an end view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 9a.

[0192] Fig. 9c is a plan view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 9a.

[0193] Fig. 9d is a side view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 9a.

[0194] The embodiments illustrated in Fig. 8a - 8d and in Fig. 9a - 9d are having killing means 10 that is having a blunt impact element 14, thereby avoiding piercing of the skin of a rodent upon impact therewith.

[0195] Fig. 10a is a perspective view illustrating yet another embodiment of the killing means of the eradication device according to the first aspect of the invention. This time the killing means 10 is defining a sharp or spear-like impact element 14, thereby enabling piercing of the skin of a rodent upon impact therewith. Fig. 10a shows that the killing means 10 comprises three rods 26. All three of these are having an upper end 28 and a lower end 30. The rods 26 at their respective middle part are being connected to each other by plate elements 32. The lower end 30 of each of the rods 26 defines the impact element 14.

[0196] Fig. 10b is an end view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 10a.

[0197] Fig. 10c is a plan view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 10a.

[0198] Fig. lOd is a side view of the killing means illustrated in Fig. 10a.

[0199] Fig. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the concept of an eradication system according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0200] Fig. 11 shows the eradication system 400 comprising a plurality (twelve) eradication devices 100 according to the first aspect of the invention in combination with a central data logger 48.

[0201] The eradication devises 100 are arranged at different positions in the interior of a sewer system.

[0202] Each of the eradication devices 100 comprises an electronic controller 20 and a wireless communication unit 50.

[0203] The electronic controller 20 is configured to communicate to the wireless communication unit 50, activity information relating to various activities, such as: “predetermined threshold magnitude of the eradication device”, “a rodent has been detected by the sensor means 6”; “estimated magnitude of a rodent being detected”; “the firing mechanism 200, such as said ejector mechanism 202 of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means 10 and thereby brought said killing means from its non-ejected stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration”; “the firing mechanism 200, such as said reloading mechanism 204 of said firing mechanism has brought said killing means 10 from its ejected configuration to its nonejected, stand-by position; “specific identity of the eradication device 100 performing one or more of such activities”; “geographical position of the specific eradication device being active”; “activities relating to power consumption, optionally as a function of time”; “estimated size of rodents being detected by said sensor means”; “number of times that said firing mechanism 200 has ejected said killing means 10, such as number of times that said ejector mechanism 202 of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means 10”;

[0204] In case the eradication device 100 is also provided with an electronic inclinometer, an electronic conductivity sensor for measuring electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe, a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of water in a sewer pipe, and a sensor for measuring the water level in a sewer pipe, then the electronic controller 20 may communicate to the wireless communication unit 50, information relating to various conditions, such as “inclination of said eradication device”; “electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe”; “water level of water in a sewer pipe”; “temperature of water in a sewer pipe”. Besides, time stamps relating to time of occurrence of any of the above-mentioned activities or conditions may be communicated to that communication unit 50.

[0205] The electronic controller 20 is being configured to communicate to said wireless communication unit 50, activity information relating to activities or conditions of said eradication device 100.

[0206] Such eradication system allows for monitoring the activities performed or conditions encountered by the various eradication devices of the system.

[0207] Hereby activity information relating to one or more types of information may be transmitted to the central data logger 48.

[0208] The communication unit 50 is configured to convey to the central data logger 48 by wireless transmission, information representing that activity information.

[0209] The central data logger 48 may be in the form of a central data server.

[0210] Hereby it is possible, via the central data server to monitor the activities of the eradication devices, which specific eradication device 100 is performing which activity and at which location and at which time.

[0211] Thereby some knowledge will be attained relating to activities of rodents, such as rats, living in a sewer system.

[0212] It should be understood that all features and achievements discussed above and in the appended claims in relation to one aspect of the present invention and embodiments thereof apply equally well to the other aspects of the present invention and embodiments thereof.

[0213] List of reference numerals

[0214] 2 Housing

[0215] 6 Sensor means

[0216] 6a, 6b Sensor of sensor means

[0217] 8 Power source

[0218] 10 Killing means

[0219] 12 Free first end of killing means

[0220] 14 Impact element of killing means

[0221] 16 Second end of killing means

[0222] 20 Electronic controller

[0223] 22 Data memory

[0224] 24 Lower impact area of impact element

[0225] 26 Rod of killing means

[0226] 28 Upper end of rod

[0227] 30 Lower end of rod

[0228] 32 Plate element of killing means

[0229] 34 Lower rim of plate element

[0230] 36 Vertically extending enclosure of housing

[0231] 38 Upper end of housing

[0232] 40 Lower end of housing

[0233] 42 Interior of enclosure

[0234] 44 Horizontally extending plate

[0235] 46 Opening for killing means

[0236] 48 Central data logger

[0237] 50 Wireless communication unit

[0238] 100 Eradication device

[0239] 200 Firing mechanism

[0240] 202 Ejector mechanism

[0241] 204 Reloading mechanism

[0242] 206 Stationary part of firing mechanism 208 Movable support element

[0243] 210 Guide member

[0244] 212 Spring of ejector mechanism

[0245] 214 Spindle arrangement of reloading device

[0246] 216 Spindle of spindle arrangement

[0247] 218 Motor of spindle arrangement

[0248] 220 Lifting element of spindle arrangement

[0249] 222 Tube

[0250] 224 Electrically actuated lock

[0251] 226 Threaded hole in lifting element of spindle arrangement

[0252] 228 Engagement element of upper part of tube

[0253] 230 Stationary support element

[0254] 300 Mounting element of eradication device

[0255] 302 Bottom plate

[0256] 400 Eradication system

[0257] 600 Sensor signal processing unit

[0258] 602 Activation filter

[0259] 604 Input means for adjustment of predetermined threshold magnitude

[0260] RI Reloading instruction

[0261] SS Sensing signal

[0262] TM Threshold magnitude of rodent

[0263] TS Trigger signal

Claims

Claims1. An eradication device (100) for killing rodents, such as rats, wherein said eradication device, in the orientation intended during use, comprises:-a housing (2);-a firing mechanism (200);-sensor means (6);-a power source (8); wherein said power source (8) is configured for powering said sensor means (6) and said firing mechanism (200); wherein said housing (2) comprises said firing mechanism (200); wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises one or more killing means (10); wherein said firing mechanism is configured, upon receiving a trigger signal TS, to eject one or more of said killing means (10) from a non-ejected, stand-by configuration, thereby making said killing means (10) arrive at an ejected configuration; wherein said killing means (10) of said firing mechanism (200) comprises a free first end (12) comprising an impact element (14) for killing said rodent upon impact, caused by ejection of said killing means (10); wherein said sensor means (6) is arranged relative to said killing means (10) in such a way that said sensor means (6) is being configured to be able to sense a presence of a rodent at a location which is within reach of an impact element (14) of one or more of said killing means, when said killing means is being in its ejected configuration; wherein said eradication device is being configured to perform a size assessment of a rodent being detected by said sensor means (6) so as to assess whether that rodent is having a relatively small size or a relatively large size, said relatively small size and said relatively large size are being distinguished by a predetermined threshold magnitude (TM) of rodents; and wherein said eradication device is being configured, upon sensing a presence of a rodent by said sensor means, to make said firing mechanism (200) receive said trigger signal (TS) and thereby eject one or more of said killing means (10) in such a way that, said firing mechanism (200) will receive said trigger signal (TS) more frequent in cases where a rodent having a relatively large size is being detected, compared to cases where a rodent having a relatively small size is being detected, in accordance with a predetermined activation algorithm.

2. An eradication device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism (200) will receive said trigger signal (TS) every time a rodent having a relatively large size is being detected.

3. An eradication device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism (200) will receive said trigger signal (TS) less frequent than every time a rodent having a relatively large size is being detected.

4. An eradication device (100) according to claim 3, wherein said activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism (200) will receive said trigger signal (TS) in situations where rodent having a relatively large size is being detected at a frequency over time selected from the ranges of 50 - 99 %, such as 55 - 97 %, for example 60 - 95 %, such as 65 - 90 %, for example 70 - 85 % or 75 - 80%.

5. An eradication device (100) to any of the preceding claims, wherein said activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism (200) will never receive said trigger signal (TS), in a situation where a rodent having a relatively small size is being detected.

6. An eradication device (100) according to claim 1 - 5, wherein said activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism (200) will receive said trigger signal (TS), in a situation where a rodent having a relatively small size is being detected, more frequent than never.

7. An eradication device (100) to claim 6, wherein said activation algorithm is designed in such a way that said firing mechanism (200) will receive said trigger signal (TS) in situations where rodent having a relatively small size is being detected at a frequency over time selected from the ranges of 1 - 50 %, such as 3 - 45 %, for example 5 - 40 %, such as 10 - 35 %, e.g. 15 - 30 % or 20 - 25 %.

8. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said eradication device is being configured to perform said size assessment of a rodent being detected by said sensor means (6), based on an assessed weight of said rodent or based on an assessed physical dimension of said rodent, such as length of said rodent, or based on an assesses aspect or outline as sensed by said sensor means.

9. An eradication device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the assessment of said relative size of said rodent is defined as follows: “relatively small rodent” < (TM) < “relatively large rodent”, or wherein the assessment of said relative size of said rodent is defined as follows: “relatively small rodent” < (TM) < “relatively large rodent”.

10. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said threshold magnitude (TM) relates to an estimated weight of said rodent and is being a specific value selected from the ranges of 150 - 525 g, such as 175 - 500 g, such as 200 - 475 g, for example 225 - 450 g, for example 250 - 425 g, such as 275 - 400 g, for example 300 - 375 g, such as 325 - 350 g ; or wherein said threshold magnitude (TM) relates to an estimated body length (with or without tail portion) of said rodent and is being a specific value selected from the ranges of 6 - 19 cm, for example 7 - 18 cm, such as 8 - 17 cm, e.g. 9 - 16 cm, such as 10 - 15 cm, e.g. 11 - 14 cm or 12 - 13 cm.

11. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said eradication device comprises an electronic controller (20), wherein said electronic controller comprises a sensor signal processing unit (600) connected to said sensor means (6) and being configured to receive a sensing signal (SS) transmitted by said sensor means (6) upon itssensing of presence of a rodent, wherein said sensor signal processing unit (600) is being configured to assess the relative size of said rodent as being either of said relatively small size or of said relatively large size, as distinguished by said predetermined threshold magnitude (TM); wherein said electronic controller (20) is being connected to said firing mechanism (200); and wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured, in accordance with said predetermined activation algorithm, to transmit to said firing mechanism (200), said trigger signal (TS), thereby causing one or more of said one or more killing means (10) to be ejected from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration so as to arrive at its ejected configuration.

12. An eradication device (100) according to claim 11, wherein said sensor signal processing unit (600) is being connected to an activation filter (602) having embedded therein said activation algorithm, wherein in a situation where said signal processing unit (600) has registered the presence of a rodent having a relatively large size, said electronic controller (20) is being configured to transmit to said firing mechanism (200), said trigger signal (TS) in accordance with said activation algorithm; and wherein in a situation where said signal processing unit (600) has registered the presence of a rodent having a relatively small size, said electronic controller (20) is being configured to transmit to said firing mechanism (200), said trigger signal (TS) in accordance with said activation algorithm.

13. An eradication device (100) according to claim 12, wherein said activation algorithm is being based on historic events or wherein said activation algorithm is being based on randomization.

14. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said sensor means (6) comprises an image capturing device coupled to said signal processing unit (600) being in the form of an image processing device, wherein said image processing device is being configured to analyze images captured, and on the basis thereof provide said size assessment of said rodent.

15. An eradication device (100) according to claim 14, wherein said image analysis is being performed by said image processing device is being based on patch features, such as colour distinction, edge detection, morphology, entropy of image patches making up such images.

16. An eradication device (100) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said electronic controller (20), such as on a data memory (22) thereof, comprises a representation of learning images, and wherein said image processing device is being configured to consult said representation of learning images, wherein one or more of said images of said representation of learning images comprises a real image or an artificially generated image, such as a computer generated image, of a rodent, such as a rat, and wherein one or more of said images of said representation of learning images has been allocated with information correlating said image with information relating to the size of that rodent.

17. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 13, wherein said sensor means comprises one or more IR sensors, such as PIR (Passive InfraRed) sensors, wherein said one or more sensors is / are being configured to provide to said electronic controller, a sensor signal (SS) representing heat and / or spatial extension of a rodent being detected.

18. An eradication device (100) according to claim 17, wherein said sensor means comprises two or more PIR sensors (6a, 6b).

19. An eradication device (100) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said electronic controller is configured to assess that a rodent, being detected, is having said relatively large size only in case two or more of said PIR sensors are transmitting to said electronic controller (20), a sensor signal SS lying within predetermined ranges and thus corresponding to a magnitude representing a relatively large rodent, as defined by said predetermined threshold magnitude (TM) of a rodent.

20. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said sensor means (6) comprises two or more sensors which are being arranged in line on said eradication device, such as in a direction corresponding to the direction of a passing rodent, in a situation where said eradication device in being arranged in a sewer pipe in the intended orientation.

21. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said eradication device, such as said electronic controller (20) thereof, comprises input means (604) for adjusting or altering said predetermined threshold magnitude (TM), wherein said input means (604) optionally is being coupled to said electronic controller (20).

22. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said firing mechanism (200) is being configured, subsequent to having ejected one or more of said killing means (10), to reload said killing means (10) by making said killing means return to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

23. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises an ejector mechanism (202) and a reloading mechanism (204), wherein said ejector mechanism (202) is being configured to eject said one or more of said killing means (10) and thereby bring said killing means from its non-ejected, stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration; and wherein said reloading mechanism (204) is being configured to reload said killing means by bringing said killing means (10) from its ejected configuration to its to non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

24. An eradication device (100) according to claim 23, wherein said ejector mechanism (202) and said reloading mechanism (204) are being separate entities or are being integrated into a single unit.

25. An eradication device (100) according to claim 24, wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises a stationary part (206) which is being attached to said housing (2), and a movable support element (208) which is being configured to be ejected in a direction away from said stationary part (206); thereby enabling said movable support element (208) to be displaced relative to said stationary part (206) between said non-ejected, stand-by configuration and said ejected configuration, and vice versa; wherein said movable support element (208) of said firing mechanism (200) is being connected to said one or more killing means (10) at a second end (16) thereof.

26. An eradication device (100) according to claim 25, wherein said stationary part (206) of said firing mechanism (200) comprises or is being connected to one more guide members(210) in the form of rod(s), wherein said movable support element (208) is being configured to slide along a longitudinal extension of said guide member(s) (210).

27. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 23 - 26, wherein said ejector mechanism (202) is being spring-loaded by one or more springs (212) in such a way that said one or more springs participate in ejecting said killing means (10) from its non-ejected, standby configuration to its ejected configuration.

28. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 23 - 27, wherein said firing mechanism (200) comprises:-a spindle arrangement (214) comprising a spindle (216);-a motor (218) for driving said spindle (216);-a lifting element (220) for lifting said movable support element (208);-a tube (222) being connected to said movable support element (208);-an electrically actuated lock (224); wherein said tube (222) is surrounding said spindle (216); wherein said lifting element (220) comprises a threaded hole (226) engaging with said spindle (216); wherein said lifting element (220) is being arranged below said movable support element (208); wherein said tube (222) comprises an engagement element (228), such as a collar, such as at an upper part thereof; wherein said electrically actuated lock (224) is configured to change configuration between a locking configuration in which said lock is engaging with said engagement element (228) of said tube (222) and an unlocking configuration in which said electrically actuated lock (224) is disengaging from said engagement element (228) of said tube (222), and vice versa, upon being supplied with an electrical signal thereto.

29. An eradication device (100) according to claim 27 and 28, wherein said stationary part (206) of said firing mechanism (200) comprises or is being connected to a stationary support element (230), wherein said spring(s) (212) is / are being arranged between said movable support element (208) and said stationary support element (230), such as being arranged so as to surround one or more of said guide member(s) (210).

30. An eradication device (100) according to claim 28 or 29, wherein said lifting element (220) is being configured for not being brought into rotation upon rotation of said spindle (216), such as by being held in place by said guide member(s) (210).

31. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 28 - 30, wherein said reloading mechanism (204) is configured, when said eradication device is being in its ejectedconfiguration, to lift said movable support element (208), and thereby also lift said killing means (10), upon turning said spindle in one rotational direction via said motor (218), and thereby also to compress said one or more springs (212).

32. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 28 -31, wherein, once said movable support element (208), and thereby also said tube (222) have been lifted a predetermined distance, said electrically actuated lock (224) is being configured to be able to lock the position of said movable support element (208) by entering into engagement with said engagement element (228) of said tube (222).

33. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 28 - 32, wherein, once the position of said movable support element (208) has been locked by said electrically actuated lock (224), said movable lifting element (220) is being configured to be lowered by turning said spindle in an opposite rotational direction via said motor (218), thereby rendering reloading of said firing mechanism (200) complete.

34. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 11 - 33, wherein said electronic controller (20) is being powered by said power source (8).

35. An eradication device (100) according to claim 23 or 34, wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured to transmit said trigger signal (TS) to said ejector mechanism (202) of said firing mechanism (200).

36. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 22 - 35, wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured to transmit a reloading instructions (RI) to said reloading mechanism (204), thereby causing said killing means (10) to be brought from its ejected configuration to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration, subsequent to being ejected.

37. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 11 - 36, wherein said eradication device comprises a data memory (22), wherein said data memory is being configured to store thereon, time stamps relating to time of occurrence of activities of said electronic controller (20) and / or said firing mechanism (200).

38. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dimension and geometry of said impact element (14) are adapted in such a way, that no piecing of the skin of said rodent is possible upon killing said rodent by impacting with said impact element upon ejecting said killing means.

39. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of said impact element (14) is no less than any dimension selected from the ranges 3 - 30 mm, such as 4 - 25 mm, for example 5 - 20 mm, such as 8 - 15 mm or 10 - 12 mm.

40. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dimension and geometry of said impact element (14) are adapted in such a way that said impact element is being sharp or spear-like, thereby enabling piecing of the skin of said rodent is possible upon killing said rodent by impacting with said impact element upon ejecting said killing means.

41. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said power source (8) is being in the form of a battery, such as rechargeable battery.

42. An eradication device 100 according to any of the preceding claims wherein the number of killing means (10) of said eradication device (100) is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 or more.

43. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims wherein in respect of one or more of said killing means (10), said killing means comprises a number of vertically extending rods (26), such as one, two or three vertically extending rods (26), each having an upper end (28) and a lower end (30), wherein said rods (26) at their respective lower ends (30) are being connected to each other by a plate element (32), wherein a lower rim (34) of said plate element defines said impact element (14).

44. An eradication device (100) according to claim 43, wherein said plate element (32) is being planar or is having the shape of a segment of a cylinder wall.

45. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 42, wherein in respect of one or more of said killing means (10), said killing means comprises a number of vertically extending rods (26), each having an upper end (28) and a lower end (30), wherein said rods (26) at a position which does not correspond to their respective lower ends (30) are being connected to each other by a plate element (32), wherein in respect of one or more of said rods, said lower end (30) defines said impact element (14).

46. An eradication device (100) according to claim 45, wherein in respect of each said killing means, said number of vertically extending rods (26) is selected from the ranges of 2 - 15 or more rods, such as 3 - 14 rods, for example 4 - 13 rods, e.g. 5 - 12 rods, such as 6 - 11 rods, for example 7 - 10 rods or 8 - 9 rods.

47. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in respect of one or more of said killing means (10), the travelling distance of said killing means, upon being displaced from its non-ejected, standby position to its ejected position is selected from the ranges of 5 - 50 cm or more, such as 10 - 45 cm, for example 15 - 40 cm, e.g. 20 - 35 cm or 35 - 30 cm.

48. An eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 43 - 47, wherein said plate element (32) is having an extension, in a vertical direction (Z), of 5 - 30 cm, such as 10 - 25 cm or 15 - 20 cm and / or wherein said plate element is having an extension, in a direction perpendicular to said vertical direction (Z) and extending in a direction between said vertically extending rods of 5 - 30 cm, such as 10 - 25 cm or 15 - 20 cm.

49. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said housing (2) comprises an essentially vertically extending enclosure (36) having an upper end (38) and a lower end (40); wherein said enclosure in its interior (42) is accommodating said a firing mechanism (200), said power source (8) and said electronic controller (20), if being present, wherein said firing mechanism (200) is oriented in such a way that said displacement of said killing means (10) takes place in an essentially vertical direction.

50. An eradication device (100) according to claim 49, wherein said essentially vertically extending enclosure (36) at its lower end (40) is being connected to an essentially horizontally oriented plate (44), wherein said plate comprises one or more openings (46) enabling said one or more killing means (10), including the impact element (14) thereof, to penetrate said plate (44).

51. An eradication device (100) to claim 49 or 50, wherein said sensor means (6, 6a, 6b) is / are being arranged at said plate (44).

52. An eradication device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said eradication device comprises one or more mounting elements (300) which is / are configured to enter into engagement with a sewer pipe, thereby enabling mounting of said device in the interior of an existing sewer pipe.

53. An eradication system (400) comprising one or more eradication devices (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 52 in combination with a central data logger (48); wherein in respect of one or more of said one or more eradication devices (100), said eradication devices comprises an electronic controller (20) and a wireless communication unit (50), and optionally also an electronic inclinometer, optionally also an electronic conductivity sensor for measuring electric conductivity of water in a sewer, optionally also a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of water in a sewer, and optionally also a sensor for measuring the water level in a sewer; wherein said electronic controller (20) is being configured to communicate to said wireless communication unit (50), activity information relating to activities or conditions of said eradication device (100).

54. An eradication system (400) according to claim 53, wherein said activity information relates to one or more of the following:-predetermined threshold magnitude (TM) of said eradication device (100);-a rodent has been detected by said sensor means (6);-said firing mechanism (200), such as said ejector mechanism (202) of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means (10) and thereby brought said killing means from its non-ejected stand-by configuration to its ejected configuration;-said firing mechanism (200), such as said reloading mechanism (204) of said firing mechanism has brought said killing means (10) from its ejected configuration to its non-ejected, stand-by position;-identity of the specific eradication device being active;-geographical position of the specific eradication device being active;-activities relating to power consumption, optionally as a function of time;-estimated size of rodents being detected by said sensor means;-number of times that said firing mechanism (200) has ejected said killing means (10), such as number of times that said ejector mechanism (202) of said firing mechanism has ejected said killing means (10);-inclination of said eradication device;-electric conductivity of water in a sewer pipe;-water level of water in a sewer pipe;-temperature of water in a sewer pipe;-electric capacity and / or voltage of said power source;-time stamps relating to time of occurrence of any of the above-mentioned activities; and wherein said communication unit (50) is configured to transmit to said central data logger (48) by wireless transmission, information representing said activity information.

55. An eradication system (400) according to claim 53 or 54, wherein said central data logger (48) is being in the form of a central data server.

56. An eradication system (400) according to any of the claims 53 - 55 wherein in respect of one or more of said eradication devices (100), said wireless communication unit (50) of said eradication device is being in the form of a communication unit, such as a modem, configured to communicate via an existing cellular mobile phone network.

57. An eradication system (400) according to any of the claims 53 - 56, wherein the number of eradication devices (100) of said system is selected from the ranges of 1 - 10,000 or more, such as 5 - 5,000; for example 20 - 3,000, such as 50 - 2,000, e.g. 100 - 1,000, such as 200 - 900, for example 300 - 800, such as 400 - 700 or 500 - 600.

58. Use of an eradication device (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 52 or of an eradication system (400) according to any the claims 53 - 57 for eradicating rodents, such as rats.

59. Use according to claim 58 wherein said use takes place in the interior of a sewer system.

60. A method for eradicating rodents, such as rats, wherein said method comprises the following steps: i) providing one or more eradication devices (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 52; ii) arranging said one or more eradication devices (100) in the interior of a sewer pipe of a sewer system; iii) enabling a rodent, such as a rat to approach one or more of said eradication devices (100);iv) in respect of such an eradication device (100), enabling said sensor means (6) of said eradication device (100) to sense a presence of said rodent; v) upon sensing the presence of said rodent, and in accordance with said predetermined threshold magnitude (TM) and said activation algorithm, enabling said sensor means (6) to make said firing mechanism (200) receive said trigger signal (TS) and thereby make said firing mechanism eject one or more of said killing means (10), thereby killing said rodent by mechanical impact with said impact element.

61. A method according to claim 60, wherein said method further comprising the step of: vi) automatically making said killing means (10) return to its non-ejected, stand-by configuration.

62. A method according to claim 60 or 61, wherein said method further comprising the step of: vii) allowing said killed rodent to be flushed away by water or slurry flowing in the interior said sewer pipe.

63. A method according to any of the claims 60 - 62, wherein said one or more eradication devices (100) form(s) part of an eradication system (400) according to any of the claims 53 - 57.

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