Device and system for trapping small rodents

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of pest control (deratization) and can be used for trapping and monitoring the activity of small animals, in particular rodents such as mice, on serviced premises. A device for trapping small rodents is disclosed, comprising a housing having at least one rodent accommodation section, at least one rodent entry section provided with a one-way entry mechanism, and an intermediate section positioned between the entry section and the accommodation section, the intermediate section being separated from the accommodation section by an additional one-way entry mechanism. The device further includes means for automatic detection of a rodent entry event, said means comprising a magnet–reed switch pair and a capacitive sensor panel. The device includes a microcontroller connected to the reed switch and the capacitive sensor panel via digital inputs. The microcontroller is configured to record the event of reed switch contact closure, record the actuation event of the capacitive sensor panel, increment by one the count of rodents contained in the device upon sequential detection of these two events, and transmit a message containing information related to the detected events to a data concentrator of a rodent trapping system. The system, in addition to at least one rodent trapping device and the data concentrator, includes a cloud-based rodent control management system capable of generating reports on rodent activity based on information received from the rodent trapping devices through the data concentrator.

Description

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of pest control and may be used for trapping and monitoring the activity of small rodents, such as mice, on serviced premises.

[0003] Such premises typically include food production facilities, breweries, logistics centers, warehouses, bakeries, supermarkets, shopping centers, healthcare institutions and hospitals, offices, grain elevator complexes, restaurants, bars, cafes, pharmaceutical factories and laboratories, pharmacies, organic product manufacturing facilities, network / server sites, private properties, governmental facilities, and museums.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Various quality and safety standards (AIB, SQF, IFS, BRC, HACCP) require the absence of rodents, including mice, within food industry facilities. It is well known that even a single mouse found in a food or pharmaceutical plant can cause the facility to be shut down.

[0006] Mice act as vectors of infectious diseases; they may trigger allergic reactions and asthma; they carry ectoparasites onto premises; they damage and contaminate food products and stocks with their droppings and hair, spoiling up to ten times more food than they consume; and they damage property such as clothing, books, furniture, sealing materials, manufacturing and other equipment, and wire insulation, causing short circuits, equipment malfunctions, and fire hazards. Mice can also damage vehicles (nests, seats, cables, etc.). Thus, the longer mice remain on a site, the greater the accumulation of their droppings and the higher the risk of health hazards (infection, allergy) and material damage (to products and property).

[0007] Professional pest control companies are typically engaged to provide rodent control services for such premises. These companies assess rodent-related risks, develop monitoring and control programs, determine the necessary and most appropriate devices and traps, their quantities, placement locations, and the frequency of inspection and monitoring.

[0008] For monitoring rodents at commercial facilities (food production plants, warehouses, logistics centers, pharmaceutical factories, supermarkets, elevators, etc.), professional pest control companies use various types of traps: typically, live multi-catch traps, glue traps, or mechanical snap traps placed inside identified bait stations or deratization containers. Each type of equipment has its own advantages and drawbacks. Glue traps tend to catch mainly young individuals rather than adult ones and can trap several mice at once, but their use is restricted or prohibited in some countries due to animal welfare concerns. Mechanical traps are considered humane in killing rodents but are sensitive to vibration, which may cause false activations. They catch only one mouse at a time and must be manually reset to become operative again, reducing their efficiency.

[0009] Live multi-catch traps, on the other hand, can capture multiple mice simultaneously, keep them alive, and are insensitive to vibration. Therefore, live multi-catch traps represent the most advanced solution available on the market.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The objective of the present invention is to provide a device for trapping small rodents whose design enables the achievement of a technical result consisting in automatic remote counting of the exact number of rodents contained in the device at a given moment, as well as the determination of the precise time of each trapping event.

[0012] This, in turn, reduces the time and material resources required for inspection and servicing of the device and increases the overall efficiency of rodent trapping.

[0013] A further objective of the invention is to provide a system for trapping small rodents whose design enables the same technical result — the ability to automatically and remotely count the exact number of rodents present in the trapping device at a given moment and to record the precise time of trapping — while also allowing simultaneous monitoring of the status of all rodent trapping devices deployed across one or multiple premises, and the generation of analytical reports on rodent activity based on the obtained data.

[0014] To achieve this objective, a device for trapping small rodents has been developed, comprising a housing with at least one rodent accommodation section and at least one rodent entry section.

[0015] The entry section is bounded by a bottom wall, a top wall, and two opposite side walls and has a first and second entry opening, between which a one-way entry mechanism is arranged. The one-way mechanism includes at least two platforms pivotally mounted around horizontal axes between two positions such that, in the first position, the first entry opening is open while the second entry opening is closed by an adjacent second platform, and in the second position, the first entry opening is closed by an adjacent first platform while the second entry opening is open.

[0016] The housing further includes an intermediate section located between the rodent entry section and the rodent accommodation section, separated from the latter by an additional one-way entry mechanism.

[0017] The device is equipped with automatic rodent entry detection means comprising a magnetreed switch pair and a capacitive sensor panel.

[0018] The magnet is mounted at the end of the second platform nearest the first entry, and the reed switch is mounted on the top wall of the rodent accommodation section so that its contacts close by means of the magnet when the one-way mechanism is in the second position.

[0019] The capacitive sensor panel is mounted on the bottom wall of the intermediate section.

[0020] The device includes a microcontroller connected via digital inputs to the reed switch and the capacitive sensor panel.

[0021] The microcontroller comprises at least one processor and at least one machine-readable medium storing program instructions which, when executed, cause:

[0022] • detection of reed switch contact closure;

[0023] • detection of capacitive sensor activation;

[0024] • incrementing the electronic counter of rodents by one upon sequential detection of these two events; and

[0025] • transmission of a message containing event-related information to a data concentrator.

[0026] The invention also provides a system for trapping small rodents, comprising at least one such device, a data concentrator, and a cloud-based rodent control management system. The data concentrator includes at least one processor and at least one machine-readable medium with program instructions that, when executed, enable receipt of messages from at least one rodent trapping device and transmission of these messages to the cloud-based management system.

[0027] The cloud system includes at least one processor and one machine-readable medium configured to receive messages from the data concentrator and generate analytical reports on rodent activity based on the received data.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The operation of the proposed device is as follows.

[0030] When a rodent enters the entry section of the device, it crosses the first platform, whose distal end rests upon the proximal end of the second platform. As the rodent moves onto the second platform and crosses its pivot axis, its weight causes the distal end of the second platform to tilt downward, while the proximal end lifts upward, thereby simultaneously lifting the first platform to a position in which the first entry opening becomes closed. This prevents the rodent from escaping backward. At this moment, the distal end of the second platform, carrying the magnet, approaches the reed switch, causing its contacts to close. This event is registered by the microcontroller as an indication of rodent entry.

[0031] As the rodent proceeds forward and leaves the surface of the second platform, it passes through the second entry opening into the intermediate section, where it steps on the capacitive sensor panel mounted on the bottom wall. When the capacitive sensor detects the presence of the rodent, the microcontroller records this as a second event. The sequential detection of the reed switch activation and the capacitive sensor activation is interpreted as a confirmed entry event. The microcontroller then increments the electronic rodent counter by one and transmits event data to the data concentrator.

[0032] The use of both a magnet-reed switch pair and a capacitive sensor panel eliminates false positives that might occur if only one of these components were used. The additional oneway entry mechanism between the intermediate and accommodation sections ensures that rodents already trapped in the device cannot return to the intermediate section and thus cannot trigger the capacitive sensor again, further preventing false counts.

[0033] The data concentrator receives messages from one or more rodent trapping devices via radio communication, preferably using LoRa technology. The concentrator is equipped with at least one processor and one machine-readable medium containing program instructions which, when executed, cause reception of data from the devices, temporary storage and buffering of such data, and transmission of corresponding messages to the cloud-based rodent control management system via Wi-Fi, GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G, or next-generation (xG) connectivity. The cloud-based management system receives and processes information from all data concentrators deployed on a site or across multiple sites. The system aggregates, stores, and analyzes data, generating detailed reports on rodent activity. These reports may include realtime device status, heat maps of rodent activity, analytics of infestation dynamics over specific time periods, and interactive visualization on maps showing the locations of all devices.

[0034] Such reports provide pest control professionals with insights into infestation sources, high- activity areas, and peak activity times. For example, a capture occurring around 12:44 p.m. may indicate rodent ingress associated with incoming raw materials or supplies, while a capture recorded around 5:37 a.m. may indicate an active infestation area. This analytical functionality enhances the accuracy and efficiency of pest management operations, reduces time spent on manual inspections, and minimizes operational costs.

[0035] TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION EXAMPLES AND OPERATION

[0036] ALGORITHM

[0037] Below are specific, non-limiting examples of implementation of the electronic components and the operation algorithm of the device and data concentrator.

[0038] Microcontroller of the Rodent Trapping Device

[0039] The microcontroller is implemented on the basis of the ESP32-S2 (Espressif Systems) chip, which has a 32-bit single-core Xtensa LX7 processor operating at up to 240 MHz. It includes built-in encryption and data protection mechanisms ensuring secure communication, multiple GPIO pins, and is optimized for low-power operation — making it ideal for battery-powered devices.

[0040] Communication between the device and the data concentrator is performed using LoRa radio technology, based on the RA-01SH AiThinker module with an SX1262 radio chip operating at a frequency of 868 MHz, optimized for long-range and low-power data transmission.

[0041] The microcontroller is powered by a LiFePCh battery, whose voltage characteristics match the operating range of the ESP32-S2 and RA-01SH modules. This eliminates the need for voltage regulators, improving energy efficiency, reducing the risk of malfunction, and lowering production cost.

[0042] The microcontroller unit also includes a latching button for switching the device on / off, changing operating modes, and resetting the counter.

[0043] Data Concentrator

[0044] The data concentrator microcontroller is implemented on the basis of ESP32-S3 / ESP32-S2 (Espressif Systems) chips, with a 32-bit dual-core / single-core Xtensa LX7 processor operating at up to 240 MHz. The concentrator includes hardware encryption, secure communication features, GPIO pins, and low-power optimization.

[0045] Communication with the rodent trapping devices is established via LoRa radio on the RA- 01SH AiThinker module (SX1262, 868 MHz). Transmission of data from the concentrator to the cloud-based management system can be performed via built-in Wi-Fi or, depending on country and site communication standards, via GPRS / LoRaWAN / NB-IoT connectivity. The concentrator is powered by an external power supply (9-24 V, 5.5 * 2.5 mm connector) and includes a backup battery that ensures autonomous operation in the event of a power outage. The firmware of the concentrator updates automatically to the latest version.

[0046] The concentrator acts as both a hub and a router, maintaining constant communication with all devices within its range. It receives messages from them using a proprietary point-to-point protocol, relays this data to the cloud-based rodent control management system, and transmits system commands or firmware updates back to the devices.

[0047] Operation Algorithm of the Microcontroller

[0048] When powered on, the microcontroller sends an initialization message to the data concentrator via LoRa, containing:

[0049] • Device identifier

[0050] • Message identifier

[0051] • Message type

[0052] • Device status

[0053] • Electronic rodent counter value

[0054] • Capacitive sensor value

[0055] • Battery charge level

[0056] The concentrator responds with configuration parameters used for fine-tuning the microcontroller. After that, depending on the operating mode:

[0057] • In “standby mode” (installation mode), the microcontroller remains active and awaits commands from the concentrator.

[0058] • In “working mode”, the microcontroller sets a deep-sleep timer, powers off the LoRa radio module to conserve energy, and periodically wakes to send “monitoring” messages containing status data.

[0059] Each event — reed-switch closure, capacitive sensor activation, or lid opening — is logged with a timestamp. Sequential detection of reed switch closure and capacitive panel activation increments the electronic counter by one. The microcontroller then transmits the data to the concentrator in JSON format via LoRa. If communication fails, the message is buffered in internal memory and retransmitted at the next scheduled monitoring interval.

[0060] The concentrator forwards received data to the cloud system through the internet connection (Wi-Fi or GSM / GPRS / 3G / 4G / xG). The cloud system then processes and displays event data in the user’s online dashboard, providing real-time visualization and analytics.

[0061] This architecture ensures data integrity and reliability, even in temporary connection loss scenarios, and allows complete automation of rodent monitoring and reporting operations.

[0062] OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM AND FUNCTIONAL ADVANTAGES

[0063] The rodent trapping system comprising the described devices, a data concentrator, and a cloud-based management platform provides a complete digital ecosystem for automated pest monitoring and reporting.

[0064] When rodents are caught, the microcontroller in each device independently records event data — including the precise time, entry point, and updated electronic counter value — and transmits it to the concentrator. The concentrator aggregates data from all connected devices within its range and forwards the information to the cloud management system through available communication channels (Wi-Fi, GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G, or xG).

[0065] In the cloud-based system, event data are processed and structured into analytical reports. These reports can include:

[0066] • current status of all traps and the number of rodents caught;

[0067] • real-time visualization of system status on an interactive map;

[0068] • automated statistics and trends in rodent activity over defined time intervals;

[0069] • analysis of infestation zones and identification of high-activity areas;

[0070] • and time-based analytics showing peak rodent activity periods.

[0071] This allows specialists to localize infestation sources, plan targeted inspections, and optimize pest control operations.

[0072] The system significantly reduces unnecessary site visits and manual checks, improving resource efficiency for pest control companies and serviced facilities.

[0073] By eliminating false signals and ensuring reliable remote monitoring, it enhances data accuracy, reduces maintenance costs, and increases service profitability.

[0074] The device and system described herein enable continuous, autonomous monitoring of rodent activity across any number of premises simultaneously and ensure data-driven, traceable pest control management compliant with international food safety and hygiene standards (AIB, SQF, IFS, BRC, HACCP).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device for trapping small rodents, comprising a housing having at least one rodent accommodation section and at least one rodent entry section, the entry section being bounded by a bottom wall, a top wall and two opposite side walls and having a first entry opening and a second entry opening, between which a one-way entry mechanism is located, wherein the one-way entry mechanism includes at least two platforms mounted for rotation around horizontal axes between two positions such that, in a first position, the first entry opening is open and the second entry opening is closed by an adjacent second platform, and in a second position, the first entry opening is closed by an adjacent first platform and the second entry opening is open, and means for automatically detecting the event of a rodent entering the device, characterized in that the housing includes an intermediate section between the rodent entry section and the rodent accommodation section, the intermediate section being separated from the accommodation section by an additional one-way entry mechanism; the means for automatically detecting the event of a rodent entering the device include a magnet-reed switch pair, wherein the magnet is mounted at the end of the second platform nearest the first entry, and the reed switch is mounted on the upper wall of the rodent accommodation section at a position ensuring closure of its contacts by the magnet when the one-way entry mechanism is in the second position, and a capacitive sensor panel located on the bottom wall of the intermediate section; the device further comprises a microcontroller connected via digital inputs to the reed switch and the capacitive sensor panel, the microcontroller having at least one processor and at least one machine-readable medium associated therewith, the medium containing program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause:- registration of the event of reed switch contact closure;- registration of the event of capacitive sensor activation;- incrementing by one the value of an electronic counter of rodents present in the device upon sequential detection of the reed switch closure and capacitive sensor activation; and- transmission of a message containing information related to the recorded events to a data concentrator.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the machine-readable medium of the microcontroller associated with the processor contains program instructions which, when executed by the processor in the absence of communication between the microcontroller and the data concentrator, provide buffering of information related to recorded events in the microcontroller’s machine-readable medium and transmission of said information to the data concentrator once communication is restored.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein it comprises two entry sections arranged opposite each other, with the intermediate section positioned between them.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the information related to recorded events includes at least data on the date and time of actuation of the means for automatically detecting the event of rodent entry, the reading of the electronic rodent counter, and information on the entry section through which the rodent entered.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a lid equipped with an additional magnet-reed switch pair positioned to ensure closure of the reed switch contacts by the magnet upon opening of the lid, and wherein program instructions contained in the machine- readable medium of the microcontroller provide registration of the event of contact closure of the additional reed switch pair and transmission of a message containing information related to the recorded event to a remote device.

6. A system for trapping small rodents, comprising at least one device for trapping small rodents according to any of the preceding claims, the system further comprising a data concentrator and a cloud-based rodent control management system, characterized in that the housing of the rodent trapping device includes an intermediate section between the rodent entry section and the rodent accommodation section, the intermediate section being separated from the accommodation section by an additional one-way entry mechanism; the means for automatically detecting the event of rodent entry include a magnetreed switch pair and a capacitive sensor panel as defined in claim 1;the microcontroller of the rodent trapping device, having at least one processor and at least one machine-readable medium, is configured to record events, increment the electronic rodent counter, and transmit messages with event-related data to the data concentrator; the data concentrator includes at least one processor and at least one machine- readable medium containing program instructions which, when executed by the processor, provide reception from the microcontroller of at least one rodent trapping device of messages containing event data and transmission of said messages to the cloud-based rodent control management system; and the cloud-based rodent control management system includes at least one processor and at least one machine-readable medium containing program instructions which, when executed by the processor, provide reception from the data concentrator of messages containing event data and generation of reports related to rodent activity based on the received information.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the machine-readable medium of the microcontroller contains program instructions ensuring buffering of event data during absence of communication with the data concentrator and subsequent transmission upon restoration of the connection.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the rodent trapping device includes two entry sections arranged opposite each other with the intermediate section between them.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the information related to recorded events includes at least data on the date and time of actuation of the means for automatically detecting rodent entry, the electronic rodent counter value, and the entry section through which the rodent entered.

10. The system according to claim 6, wherein the housing of the rodent trapping device includes a lid equipped with an additional magnet-reed switch pair positioned to ensure closure of the reed switch contacts by the magnet upon opening of the lid, and wherein the program instructions in the microcontroller provide registration of the event of contact closure of the additional reed switch pair and transmission of a message containing information related to the recorded event to a remote device.

11. The system according to claim 6, wherein the microcontroller of the rodent trapping device is connected to the data concentrator via a radio communication link.

12. The system according to claim 6, wherein it further comprises a signal quality testing device configured to measure the signal strength between the rodent trapping device and the data concentrator.

13. The system according to claim 6, wherein the data concentrator is connected to the cloud-based rodent control management system via Wi-Fi / GSM / GPRS / 3G / 4G / xG communication.

14. The system according to claim 6, wherein the data concentrator is configured for remote setup via the Internet.