Device and method for attracting bed bugs

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device (10) for attracting bed bugs. The device (10) comprises a CO2 source (120) and a housing (100) with a mixing chamber (110) for holding a mixed fluid (M), an air inlet (112) for passing input air (AirIN) into the mixing chamber (110) and a first and second fluid outlets (141, 142) for passing fluid out from the housing. The device also includes an airflow device () configured to generate an airflow from the air inlet (112) to the first fluid outlet (141) and to the second fluid outlet (142) and a controller (120) for generating an airflow control signal (CA) to control the airflow device to generate the airflow such that the concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid (M) output from the device (10) is in a preset interval. The first fluid outlet (141) is arranged at a first 10 distance (D1) from the bottom of the device, when it is placed on a surface during use, and the second fluid outlet (142) is arranged at a second, greater, distance (D2) from the bottom of the device which provides an improved distribution of CO2 around the device and an increased bed bug attraction. The disclosure further relates to a computer implemented method for controlling such a device (10), a computer program (425) for executing such a 15 method, and a non-volatile data carrier (420) containing the computer program (425).

Description

[0001] DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ATTRACTING BED BUGS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to a device and method for pest control, specifically for attracting bed bugs.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Bed bug infestation is a rising problem in many densely populated areas. These nocturnal insects tend to hide for instance in beds or in cracks present in walls and floor. A number of adverse health effects may occur due to bed bug bites, including skin rashes, allergic reactions, and / or mental distress.

[0006] When addressing bed bug infestations, current treatments often require prolonged human presence to lure bed bugs into contact with pesticides or a trap. As bed bugs can survive extended periods of time without feeding, the treatment process can extend for several weeks or up to a year. These methods are not only inefficient but places a significant mental and financial strain on affected individuals and businesses, such as hotels, which resort to costly and sometimes damaging treatments. Thus, in order to be effective, a bed bug capturing device must be able to generate sufficient attraction for an extended period of time.

[0007] Existing solutions have attempted to devise bed bug monitoring, attracting, and / or capturing devices in the past for replacing the human bait system. Some solutions employ different attracting means such as odours originating from bed bug pheromones, human sweat components or other organic chemicals which acts as lures in order to attract bed bugs to a trapping mechanism.

[0008] Naturally, bed bugs are attracted to a human by the CO2 produced by exhalations. Different infestation control solutions have therefore been proposed that attract bed bugs based on the emission of CO2, such as for instance US2009145019 and US2022248654.

[0009] However, the known solutions lack in efficiency. There is therefore a need for further development within this field to provide solutions for pest control that include more efficient attraction of bed bugs without the use of a human bait. SUMMARY

[0010] It would be advantageous to achieve a device for attracting bed bugs overcoming, or at least alleviating, at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks. The object is at least partly achieved by a device and computerized method for attracting bed bugs as disclosed in the appended claims. In particular, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a device for attracting bed bugs comprising a controller configured to generate an airflow control signal configured to control the emission of CCh to a preset concentration interval.

[0011] However, bed bugs are only able to detect a CO2 source over short distances. This means that in order to attract bed bugs from all corners of a bedroom for example, a large number of existing attraction and capture devices would have to be placed throughout the space, which is inefficient, costly, and cumbersome. If only one or a few such devices are used, the treatment will instead be inefficient, and the infestation problem is likely not resolved or will take a long time to resolve. There remains a need for devices for attracting bed bugs allowing for a more targeted and efficient eradication approach, making the process quicker and less intrusive. The inventors have realised that this need can be met by emitting a fluid comprising CO2 in a controlled manner via at least two outlets provided at different heights of the device, such that CO2 is spread over a larger distance around the device with increasing concentration closer to the device, as described further below.

[0012] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a device for attracting bed bugs. The device comprises a CO2 source and a housing having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The housing comprises a mixing chamber for holding a mixed fluid, an air inlet for passing input air into the mixing chamber, and a mixing fluid intake for passing a fluid comprising CO2 from the CO2 source into the mixing chamber. The housing further comprises a first fluid outlet for passing fluid out from the housing, and wherein the first fluid outlet is located at a first distance from the second end of the housing. The first fluid outlet is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, either directly or via a first conduit.

[0013] The housing further comprises an actuator configured to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source to the mixing chamber. Further, the housing comprises a second fluid outlet for passing fluid out from the housing. The second fluid outlet is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, either directly or via a second conduit, and the second fluid outlet is located at a second distance greater than the first distance from the second end of the housing. The device further comprises an airflow device configured to generate an airflow from the air inlet to the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet in response to an airflow control signal. The device further comprises a controller configured to generate an airflow control signal configured to control the airflow device to generate the airflow such that the concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid output from the device is in a preset interval.

[0014] As previously explained, bed bugs are attracted to CO2. The inventors have realized that in order for a CO2 infestation control solution to be effective, it is important that the device is able to effectively emit CO2 in such a way that it attracts bed bugs over a wide area. The provision of a second fluid outlet located at a second distance greater than the first distance from the second end of the housing, and thus farther from the surface that the device is placed on during use, allows for a concentration gradient of CO2 to be formed around the bottom of the device when in operation. The first fluid outlet, being in closer proximity to the second end of the device, emits the mixed fluid comprising CO2 closer to the second end. As CO2 is heavier than ambient air, the mixed fluid emitted from the first outlet falls downwards and a local CO2 concentration increase compared to ambient air is achieved in proximity to the second end of the device. The second fluid outlet on the other hand, being further away from the second end of the device, emits the mixed fluid comprising CO2 further away from the second end of the device and allows the mixed fluid emitted to reach a greater radial distance from the device and thus an area around the device, and as such attract bed bugs over a wider area. This creates a CO2 concentration gradient that decreases away from the device, i.e. increases towards the device. As such, an increased concentration gradient, guiding the bed bugs towards the device, is formed around the device. Bed bugs can thus be attracted over a wider area, since the bugs will initially be attracted by even the slighter increase in CO2 concentration found further from the device and are efficiently guided towards the device since the increasing concentration continues to attract them when they approach the device. This provides a bed bug attracting device with increased attraction capacity compared to devices that only output CO2 or a fluid comprising CO2 at a single distance from the device, because the bed bugs are attracted to the increase in CO2 and will start to lose interest or lose the sense of direction of the source if the concentration becomes evenly distributed or saturated (compared to what the bed bugs can perceive). This is what the inventors have realised to provide the inventive solution of controlling the output of the bed bug attraction device to create the described CO2 concentration gradient to both reach bed bugs at a greater distance from the attractant than what can be achieved by known solutions, and continuously keep the interest of the bed bugs until they reach the bed bud attraction device. It is understood that the concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid output from the device in a preset interval may be a single value, although it is more likely to be a value including a preset variation or accepted tolerance, or another suitable interval of concentration values. The preset interval can be stored in a memory comprised in or external to the device and accessible to the controller, or input manually by a user interacting with a user interface of an input device comprised in or communicatively connected to the device. It is further understood that the preset interval may be adjusted manually or automatically, based on rules set in the system, during a run / operation of the device or between such runs / operations of the device.

[0015] The preset interval may be a CO2 concentration indicative of human breath. It has been found that by emitting a mixed fluid comprising CO2 in a concentration indicative of human breath, bed bugs are efficiently attracted to the device.

[0016] CO2 is naturally present in ambient air at a base level. In human breath, or air exhaled by a human, the CO2 concentration is higher than the concentration naturally present in ambient air at a base level. Therefore, in the context of the present disclosure, a CO2 concentration in an interval indicative of human breath may be any concentration of CO2 above a base level of CO2 present in ambient air, for instance above 450 ppm. Suitably, the interval indicative of human breath may be a CO2 concentration of at least 450 ppm, preferably a concentration of 500 - 6000 ppm, even more preferably of 1000 - 5000 ppm and most preferably 1500 - 3000 pm. In other words, in some embodiments, the mixed fluid output from the device according to the invention, at least with regard to the CO2 content thereof, resembles air exhaled by a human.

[0017] It is understood that controlling the passing of fluid from the CO2 source to the mixing chamber may comprise an ON / OFF regulation of the CO2 emission from CO2 source, regulating the CO2 emission from the CO2 source into the mixing chamber to achieve a specified (increased or decreased) emission, or a combination of both, depending on how the actuator is arranged to operate. For instance, but not limited to, the actuator may be arranged to open or close the CO2 emission, completely or partially, from the CO2 source at specific time instances, at specific time intervals, according other rules or cycles preset in the system, or in response to an input from the controller or user input from a user interacting with an input device comprised in or connected to the bed bug attracting device.

[0018] It is understood that controlling the airflow device to generate the airflow according to the airflow control signal may comprise an ON / OFF regulation of the airflow device, regulating the airflow device to achieve a specified (increased or decreased) effect, or a combination of both, depending on how the airflow device is arranged to operate. The controller is in these embodiments configured to generate the airflow control signal such that it is configured to control the airflow device to turn on or turn off, and / or increase or decrease its effect to reach a desired airflow needed to achieve the desired CO2 concentration in the preset interval in the mixed fluid. In some embodiments, the airflow control signal is also referred to herein as a second control signal.

[0019] Apart from ensuring that an efficient bed bug attracting CO2 concentration is emitted from the device, the control or regulation according to any embodiment of the present disclosure also allows for efficient usage of a CO2 source as the emission of CO2 from the CO2 source is limited to achieve a desired concentration in the mixed fluid to be emitted. As such, waste of CO2 can be limited, and is specifically reduced compared to any devices continuously emitting a CO2 containing fluid without any regulation of concentration levels and / or airflow.

[0020] The first and the second fluid outlet may both be comprised in the mixing chamber, as a respective opening in a side wall of the housing from the mixing chamber into the ambience. It may be advantageous to have two separate compartments within the housing, to better control the properties of the mixed fluid in the mixing chamber by not having any components of the device that are not necessary for the input or mixing of fluid therein. For this purpose, the housing may comprise a second part separated from the mixing chamber. If the second part of the housing is arranged closer to the second end of the device than the mixing chamber is, i.e. below the mixing chamber when the device is placed on a surface during operation, it may be advantageous to arrange the first fluid outlet in the second part of the housing, depending on the height of the device and the height of the second part, to achieve the desired first distance from the second end of the housing. The first fluid outlet is then suitably in fluid communication with the mixing chamber via a first conduit. If the first fluid outlet is comprised in the second part of the housing, a conduit or the like is needed for fluidly connecting the mixing chamber with the first fluid outlet. If the design of the device is such that the second fluid outlet instead needs to be arranged in the second part of the housing to fulfil the set requirements of the second distance from the second end of the device, the skilled person easily sees that this can be done using a second conduit in a similar manner as described for the first fluid outlet and the first conduit. Of course, depending on the design of the device, both the first and the second fluid outlets may be arranged in the second part and put in fluid communication with the mixing chamber via a respective first and second conduit. The first distance and the second distance are adapted in order to achieve the desired concentration of CO2 to be formed around the bottom of the device and the wide spread gradient of CO2 in the surroundings, i.e. the room to be treated. It is desirable that CO2 is spread over a larger distance around the device with increasing concentration closer to the device, as described herein. The first distance, being the distance from the second end of the housing to the first fluid outlet, is preferably adapted to emit the mixed fluid comprising CO2 so as to generate a local CO2 concentration increase compared to ambient air in proximity to the second end. The first distance is for this purpose between 0 mm and 300mm. In preferred embodiments, the first distance is below 300 mm, more preferably below 250 mm, even more preferably below 200 mm. In some non-limiting advantageous embodiments, the first distance D1 is below 170 mm, or even below 160 mm. The second distance, being the distance from the second end of the housing to the second fluid outlet, is selected such that the mixed fluid comprising CO2 emitted therefrom will travel further away from the second end before it sinks down towards the surface (bed, floors, etc.) on which it will rest, compared to the mixed fluid outlet via the first fluid outlet The distance is in all embodiments greater than the first distance. Preferably, the second distance is greater than 300 mm. In a few non-limiting examples, the second distance is selected to be in the interval of 300 - 700 mm, 350 - 650 mm, 400 - 500 mm, or 450 - 500 mm.

[0021] The controller may be configured to obtain at least one first input signal and / or at least one input parameter. The controller is in this embodiment suitably further configured to generate a first control signal configured to cause the actuator to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source to the mixing chamber based on the at least one first input signal and / or the at least one input parameter. Alternatively, or in addition, the controller is configured to generate the airflow control signal based on the at least one first input signal or the at least one input parameter.

[0022] Hereinafter, the at least one first input signal and / or at least one input parameter may be referred to simply as a first input signal or an input parameter, to make it easier to follow in text. However, as is evident to the skilled person, any suitable number, and combinations of first input signals and input parameters as described herein may be used.

[0023] Controlling both the passing of fluid from the CO2 source to the mixing chamber and the airflow from the airflow device, for example in the manner described above, ensures improved control over the emitted CO2 concentration from the device within the preset interval. This results in greater control over the emitted concentration and hence improved bed bug attraction efficiency. Controlling of both the passing of fluid from the CO2 source to the mixing chamber and the airflow from the airflow device may alternatively, or in addition, be based on emitted concentration of CO2 during operation of the device. This can be calculated based on the emitted CO2 from the CO2 source controlled by the actuator, and the airflow through the mixing chamber. It is understood that the input parameter may include a single value, a value including a preset variation or accepted tolerance, or another suitable interval of values. Further, it is understood that the input parameter can be preset and stored in a memory comprised in or external to the device and accessible to the controller, or input manually by a user interacting with a user interface of an input device comprised in or communicatively connected to the bed bug attracting device.

[0024] The device may further comprise a first sensor configured to measure a CO2 concentration in a mixed fluid held within the mixing chamber. The controller may in such an embodiment be configured to obtain, in this case receive, the first input signal from the first sensor. The first input signal is here indicative of a CO2 concentration. The first sensor is configured to measure the CO2 concentration of the mixed fluid held within the mixing chamber. Since the airflow generated in the device causes the mixed fluid to flow from the mixing chamber to the first outlet, the skilled person understands that the CO2 concentration of the mixed fluid held within the mixing chamber is the same as the CO2 concentration of the mixed fluid when output from the device, emitted via the first fluid outlet. Depending on the CO2 concentration measured within the mixing chamber by the first sensor, the controller may generate a first control signal to control the actuator to increase the passing of fluid from the CO2 source in order to increase the resulting CO2 concentration in the mixed fluid emitted from the device. Similarly, if the CO2 concentration within the mixing chamber is considered to be too high, the controller may generate a first control signal to control the actuator to decrease the passing of fluid from the CO2 source in order to decrease the resulting CO2 concentration in the mixed fluid emitted from the device. It is understood that the controller may be configured to compare the first input signal with predefined values or interval to determine if the measured CO2 concentration needs to be adjusted, up or down, or is within the allowed range, and generate the first and / or second control signal based on the comparison.

[0025] The controller may alternatively, or additionally, be configured to obtain the input parameter by receiving or retrieving this from a memory comprised in or communicatively connected to the device. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller may be configured to obtain the first input signal by receiving or retrieving it from an input device comprised in or communicatively connected to the bed bug attracting device. The first input signal may in these embodiments be indicative of, and the input parameter may comprise, an amount per time unit of fluid comprising CO2 that is to be passed from the CO2 source into the mixing chamber. It is understood that the amount per time unit may here include a value or a value with an accepted variation, e.g. an interval. Of course, a concentration in combination with the volume of fluid to be passed per time unit may equally well be used to achieve the same results, as the values are derivable from each other.

[0026] It is understood that the first control signal may be based on any combination of one or more first input signals and one or more input parameters obtained in the manners described herein.

[0027] The first end and the second end may define a first axis therebetween. Preferably, the housing is elongated, wherein the first axis is a longitudinal axis parallel to the main extension of the housing.

[0028] The CO2 source may be arranged at least partially inside, or completely inside, the device. This allows for a compact design of the device. The CO2 source may otherwise be arranged on or external to the device in any suitable manner and, if needed, be in fluid connection with the mixing fluid intake via a conduit or the like. The actuator configured to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source to the mixing chamber may in embodiments comprising a conduit be arranged on an outlet of the CO2 source, within the conduit, or at the mixing fluid intake.

[0029] The airflow device may be arranged inside, or partially inside, the mixing chamber. This allows for a compact design of the device. The airflow device may otherwise be arranged on, external to, or within the device in any suitable manner in fluid connection with the mixing chamber via a conduit or the like, so to create a flow of air from the airflow device, through the mixing chamber, to the first fluid outlet, and, if present, the second fluid outlet.

[0030] The device may comprise more than one airflow device. Similar, if more than one airflow device is present, these may each be located inside or partly inside the mixing chamber.

[0031] The device may further comprise a heat source arranged at and arranged to emit heat to the surroundings of the second end, and a surface on which the device is placed on during use. By surroundings of the second end is meant a bed bug attraction area near the second end of the device intended to be an attraction point for bed bugs. Emitting heat to the surroundings of the second end of the device further increases the attraction of bed bugs towards the device as it better resembles the presence of a human. It is especially advantageous that the heat is noticeable, and gradually increases, as the bed bugs approach the device, so they are even more efficiently guided towards the device. It is understood that the emission of heat may be performed by heat conduction through the housing, or via at least one opening arranged on the housing. The heat source may be configured to emit heat at a temperature similar to a human body temperature. By increasing the temperature at the second end, bed bug’s attraction to the device is increased. Preferably, the emitted heat corresponds to the temperature of a human body, i.e. around 35-40 degrees C. Such a device further allows for efficient regulation of the emitted heat from the heat source.

[0032] If the device comprises a heat source, the device may further comprise a second sensor arranged to measure a temperature near the second end of the housing. The controller may then further be configured to receive a second input signal indicative of a measured temperature from the second sensor and generate a third control signal configured to control the heat source to emit heat based on the second input signal, such that heat emitted at the second end of the device is in a preset interval indicative of human body heat, preferably in the range of 35-40 degrees C. Thereby, improved control of the heat emitted by the device is achieved, further improving the bed bug attraction ability.

[0033] In some embodiments described herein, the housing may comprise a second part of the housing separate from the mixing chamber. The second part may be arranged at the second end of the housing. In such embodiments, if the device comprises a heat source according to the present disclosure, the heat source is arranged at, and arranged to emit heat to, the surroundings of the second part near the second end. The heat source may be arranged within the second part. Similarly, if the device comprises a second sensor according to the present disclosure, the second sensor is arranged to measure a temperature in the second part of the housing, at or near the second end.

[0034] The controller may be configured to regulate, or control, the emission of fluid from the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet according to at least one distinct CO2 emission cycle. Each CO2 emission cycle is in this embodiment defined by a start point wherein the emitted CO2 concentration is at first CO2 concentration value and CO2 emission from the device is initiated or increased, a peak point wherein the emitted CO2 concentration is at a maximum value greater than the first CO2 concentration value, and an end point wherein the emission of CO2 stops.

[0035] This allows the device to be operated in such a way that different operational cycles can be performed. Each operational cycle results in the emission of CCh from the device and an increase of CO2 concentration around the device. It has been found that by performing different cycles, and thus cyclically increasing and decreasing the CO2 concentration around the device, an improved bed bug attraction is achieved compared to if only one, longer cycle is performed. This is because the bed bugs are attracted to the increase in CO2 concentration and will begin to lose interest after a saturation or a certain CO2 concentration level has been reached and is static over time. The inventors have realised that by providing cyclic increases of CO2 concentration, with decreases in CO2 concentration in pauses between the output cycles, many more bed bugs can be attracted to the device during e.g. one night compared to using solutions with continuous output of CO2. In order to achieve even more attraction, it may be beneficial to blow out any residual CO2 from the device between cycles.

[0036] The controller may further be configured to determine the duration of each of the at least one CO2 emission cycle and / or the concentration of CO2 emitted during each of the at least one CO2 emission cycle based on the obtained first input signal and / or received second input signal, at least one input parameter, manual input and / or based on predetermined time intervals.

[0037] The controller according to this embodiment thus allows for regulation, or control, of each CO2 emission cycle based on the readings of the first sensor and second sensor. As such, the controller may be configured to adjust the duration of each CO2 emission cycle based on the CO2 concentration readings of the first sensor. For instance, the controller may control the actuator and / or the airflow device in order to prolong the CO2 emission cycle if a reading differs from a predefined tabulated value. In other words, the controller may be configured to determine a duration of an emission cycle to be initiated or an adjusted duration of a current emission cycle based on the first and / or second input signal. The controller may correspondingly be configured to generate the first and second control signals such that they are also indicative of a determined duration of at least one emission cycle to be initiated or an adjusted duration of a current emission cycle. If predetermined durations are used, these may be preset in the system or manually input via a user interface in communicatively connected to the device.

[0038] The device may further comprise a bed bug trap element near the second end and a surface on which the device is placed on during use. By surroundings of the end is meant a bed bug attraction area near the second end of the device intended to be an attraction point for bed bugs. The bed bug trap element may comprise a deadfall trap, a sticky trap, an insecticide, a viscous liquid, or any combination thereof. In embodiments where the device comprises a second part according to the present disclosure, the bed bug trap element may be in or in the surroundings of the second part, at or near the second end.

[0039] Suitably, such an arrangement thus allows to both attract and efficiently entrap bed bugs so that they may be removed from an area of treatment after operation of the device.

[0040] The airflow device may be a fan or a pump. Preferably, the airflow device is a fan.

[0041] The device may comprise a plurality of first fluid outlets. The plurality of first fluid outlets may be arranged around the device, in some embodiments circumferentially around the device. Similarly, the device may comprise a plurality of second fluid outlets. The plurality of second fluid outlets may be arranged around the device, in some embodiments circumferentially around the device. Increasing the number of first and second fluid outlet increases the CO2 emission area around the device, thus increasing the bed bug attraction area.

[0042] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the object is achieved by a computer-implemented method for controlling a device for attracting bed bugs according to any one of the first aspect. The device comprises a CO2 source and a housing having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The housing comprises a mixing chamber for holding a mixed fluid, an air inlet for passing input air into the mixing chamber, and a mixing fluid intake for passing a fluid comprising CO2 from the CO2 source into the mixing chamber. The housing further comprises a first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet for passing fluid out from the housing. The first fluid outlet is located at a first distance from the second end of the housing and is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, either directly or via a first conduit. The second fluid outlet is also in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, either directly or via a first conduit, and it is located at a second distance from the second end of the housing, the second distance being greater than the first distance. The device further comprises an airflow device configured to generate an airflow from the air inlet to the first fluid outlet and to the second fluid outlet, in response to an airflow control signal. The device further comprises an actuator configured to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source to the mixing chamber in response to a first control signal. The device further comprises a controller. The method is performed in a processor of the controller. The method comprises, by the controller, generating, by the controller, an airflow control signal configured to control the airflow device to generate the airflow from the air inlet to the first fluid outlet and to the second fluid outlet such that the concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid output from the device is in a preset interval. The method then suitably comprises generating, by the airflow device, an airflow in response to the airflow control signal. Thereby, output of mixed fluid with a concentration of CO2 in the desired preset interval is achieved.

[0043] The preset interval of course includes CO2 concentrations that attract and lure bed bugs in. In a specific example, the preset interval is for this reason indicative of the concentration of CO2 in, or in other words mimics, human breath.

[0044] Control herein means to increase, decrease, start, or stop.

[0045] The method may then comprise controlling the actuator based on the first control signal and controlling the airflow device based on the second control signal such that the concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid that is output from the device is in a preset interval indicative of human breath.

[0046] Suitably, the method according to the present disclosure thereby allows for an efficient regulation of the CO2 concentration of the emitted mixing fluid from the device, in order to achieve a concentration indicative of a human breath and thus attractive to bed bugs. It is understood that all effects previously described for the device according to the first aspect also applies to a method for controlling the device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0047] The method may further comprise obtaining, by the controller, at least one first input signal and / or at least one input parameter. In this embodiment, the method may also suitably comprise generating, by the controller, the airflow control signal based on the at least one first input signal and / or the at least one input parameter. The method may also comprise generating a first control signal configured to cause the actuator to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source to the mixing chamber, based on the at least one first input signal or the at least one input parameter. The generated airflow control signal may then suitably be used for controlling the airflow generated by the airflow device. Similarly, the generated first control signal may suitably be used to control the actuator, thus causing it to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source to the mixing chamber. The controlling of the airflow or inlet of the CO2 comprising fluid, or even better simultaneous control of both functions, enable improved control of the output of fluid, with regards to both CO2 concentration and distribution, from the device, to better achieve the objects described herein. Specifically, the concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid that is output from the device can therefore be better controlled to be in the preset interval. As described herein, the preset interval may be set such that the concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid that is output from the device is indicative of the concentration of CO2 human breath. Similarly, the distribution of the mixed fluid via the first and second outlets can be better controlled to provide the desired high concentration of CO2 in the close surroundings of the second end (bottom when in use) of the bed bug attracting device and the gradient of decreasing concentration over the desired distance from the bed bug attracting device, to enable reaching bed bugs over a great distance, e.g. up to or even more than 30 meters away, and provide an optimal continuous attraction of the bed bugs as they approach the device.

[0048] Hereinafter, the at least one first input signal and / or at least one input parameter may be referred to simply as a first input signal or an input parameter, for illustrational purposes. However, as is evident to the skilled person, any suitable number, and combinations of first input signals and input parameters as described herein may be used.

[0049] If the housing of the device further comprises at least one first sensor configured to measure a CO2 concentration in a mixed fluid held within the mixing chamber, obtaining the first input signal and / or the input parameter may comprise receiving, in the controller, the first input signal from the first sensor. In this embodiment, the first input signal is suitably indicative of a measured CO2 concentration.

[0050] Regardless of whether there is any first sensor present in the housing of the device, obtaining the first input signal and / or the input parameter may alternatively, or additionally, to the above embodiment comprise receiving, in the controller, the first input signal from an input device comprised in or communicatively connected to the bed bug attracting device. Similarly, obtaining the first input signal and / or parameter may in addition to the above, or as an alternative, comprise receiving or retrieving, by the controller, the input parameter from a memory accessible to the controller and comprised in or external to the bed bug attracting device. The first input signal or the input parameter may be indicative of an amount per time unit of fluid comprising CO2 that is to be passed from the CO2 source into the mixing chamber, wherein the term amount may include a value, a value including an accepted variation, or another suitable interval. Of course, concentration in combination with the volume of fluid to be passed per time unit may equally well be used to achieve the same result, as the values are derivable from each other.

[0051] The method may, if the device further comprises a heat source arranged near the second end, further comprise emitting heat to the surroundings of the second end of the housing and a surface on which the device is placed during use. If and the device also comprises a second sensor arranged to measure a temperature at or near the second end of the housing, the method may further comprise, by the controller, receiving a second input signal indicative of a measured temperature from the second sensor. In response to the received second control signal the method according to this embodiment further comprises generating a third control signal based on the second input signal, the third control signal being configured to control an emission of heat from the heat source such that heat emitted at the second end of the device is in a preset interval indicative of human body heat.

[0052] The method may in this embodiment further comprise controlling the heat source based on the third control signal to emit heat at a temperature in an interval indicative of human body heat.

[0053] By increasing the temperature at the second end, bed bug’s attraction to the device is increased. Preferably, the emitted heat corresponds to the temperature of a human body, i.e. around 35 - 40 degrees C. This embodiment of the method hence allows for efficient regulation of the emitted heat from the heat source and thereby even further efficient attraction of bed bugs by the device.

[0054] In some embodiments, the method may comprise, by the controller, defining at least one emission cycle and controlling emission of fluid from the first fluid outlet and / or the second fluid outlet based on the defined at least one emission cycle. In these embodiments, the first input signal is also indicative of the at least one defined emission cycle, wherein, the first control signal may be configured to cause the actuator to control the passing of fluid also based on the defined at least one emission cycle, to control the airflow device to generate the airflow also based on the defined at least one emission cycle, or both. Each emission cycle is preferably defined to include a start point where a passing of fluid from the CO2 source to the mixing chamber and / or an airflow generated by the airflow device is initiated and / or increased, and an end point where the passing of fluid from the CO2 source to the mixing chamber or the airflow generated by the airflow device is caused to stop and / or decrease.

[0055] This embodiment of the method enables controlling the device to be operated in such a way that different operational cycles can be performed. Each operation cycle results in the emission of CO2 from the device and an increase of CO2 concentration around the device. It has been found that by performing different cycles, and thus cyclically increasing and decreasing the CO2 concentration around the device, an improved bed bug attraction is achieved compared to if only one, longer cycle, is performed.

[0056] According to this embodiment of the invention, the method may further comprise, by the controller, determining a duration of each of the at least one CO2 emission cycle and / or the concentration of CO2 emitted during a CO2 emission cycle based on the obtained first input signal and / or received second input signal, manual input, and / or on predetermined time intervals. Suitably, improved control of the output mixed fluid is thus obtained.

[0057] According to a third aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a computer program loadable into a non-volatile data carrier communicatively connected to a processing unit. The computer program includes software for executing any one of the above method embodiments according to the second aspect when the program is run on the processing unit.

[0058] According to fourth aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a non-volatile data carrier containing the above computer program according to the third aspect.

[0059] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Further objects and advantages of, and features of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description of one or more embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0061] Fig. 1 schematically discloses a device for attracting bed bugs according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0062] Fig. 2 schematically discloses a block diagram illustrating communication of input signals and control signals between a controller and components comprised in or communicatively connected to the device,

[0063] Fig. 3 schematically discloses a block diagram of the controller according to one embodiment of the disclosure,

[0064] Fig. 4 discloses a flow chart showing a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure,

[0065] Fig. 5 discloses a flow chart showing a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure,

[0066] Fig. 6 and 7 disclose alternatives for the method step of controlling a device according to embodiments of the disclosure,

[0067] Fig. 8 discloses a flow chart showing a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and Fig. 9 discloses a flow chart showing a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0068] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0069] The present disclosure is developed in more detail below referring to the appended figures which show examples of embodiments. The disclosure should not be viewed as limited to the described examples of embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0070] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0071] The term fluid used herein includes, but is not limited to, gas, for example air or a mix comprising ambient air and additional CO2.

[0072] The invention will first be described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2.

[0073] Turning first to Fig. 1 , there is shown a schematic illustration of a device 10 for attracting bed bugs. The device 10 is illustrated as device comprising a housing having a first end 101 and a second end 102. The first end 101 and the second end 102 are preferably on opposing sides of the device 10. When in use, the device is typically placed on a surface, such as for example a bed, in a space where an infestation of bed bugs has been found or is suspected. In this scenario, the device 10 is arranged such that the first end 101 faces upwards, i.e. forms the top of the device 10, while the second end 102 faces down towards the surface on which the device 10 is placed, i.e. the second end 102 forms the bottom of the device 10. Hereinafter, when referring to elements or matter moving upwards or downwards in relation to the device 10, it is assumed that the device 10 is in the described position with the first end 101 facing at least substantially upwards and the second end 102 facing correspondingly downwards, resting on a receiving surface. When the device 10 is arranged in this manner, the longitudinal axis A is thus parallel to, or substantially parallel to, the vertical axis. A longitudinal axis A is defined between the first end 101 and the second end 102. The device 10 may be elongated, whereby the axis A is an axis parallel to the main extension of the housing 100.

[0074] The housing 100 comprises a mixing chamber 110. The mixing chamber 110 is in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 arranged at the first end 101 , but it may be arranged in another suitable location within the housing 100, depending on design. Input air Ainnenters the mixing chamber 110 from an air inlet 112 arranged at the first end 101. In conjunction with the air inlet 112 is an airflow device 150. The airflow device 150 may be located either outside, partly inside, or completely inside the device 10 and housing 100. Embodiments where the airflow device 150 is located either inside or outside the housing 100 are illustrated in Fig. 1. If the airflow device 150 is arranged inside the housing 100 it may preferably be arranged within the mixing chamber 110, as illustrated by one of the options in Fig.1. The airflow device 150 is configured to generate an airflow from the air inlet 112 into the mixing chamber 110. The airflow device 150 may be any airflow device suitable to generate such a flow, for instance it may be a pump or a fan.

[0075] The housing 100 further comprises a mixing fluid intake 114. The mixing fluid intake 114 is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber 110 and with a CO2 source 120. The CO2 source 120 may be arranged inside the device 10, at least partially inside the device 10 or outside the device 10. Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment wherein the CO2 source 120 is located inside the device 10 and an embodiment wherein the CO2 source 120 is located outside the device 10. It is preferred that the CO2 source 120 is located inside the device 10 as it allows for a more compact design. In any one of these embodiments with regard to the arrangement of the CO2 source 120, the device 10 further comprises an actuator 122. Similarly, the actuator 122 may then be located inside, partially inside, or outside the device 10. The actuator 122 is configured to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source 120 to the mixing chamber 110. As such, the actuator controls the flow of fluid comprising CO2 from the CO2 source 120 into the mixing chamber 110. Fluidfrom the CO2 source 120 enters the mixing chamber through the mixing fluid intake 114 where it is mixed with input air Ainn, thus forming a mixed fluid M. As such, the mixing chamber 110 defines an enclosed space for holding the mixed fluid M. The actuator 122 may be a linear actuator configured to regulate, or control, the emission fluid from the CO2 source 120, or a valve. Of course, any other suitable actuator configured to control the flow of a fluid, e.g. a gas, from a source, may alternatively be used, or a suitable combination of actuators. The housing may comprise a first sensor 130 located within the housing. The first sensor 130 is configured to measure a CO2 concentration in the formed mixed fluid M held within the mixing chamber 110. In response to the measurement of the CO2 concentration, the first sensor 130 in this embodiment generates a first input signal S1 . It is noted that the first sensor 130 may comprise at least one sensor unit and that each of the at least one sensor unit may be arranged anywhere within the mixing chamber or in any conduit in fluid communication with the mixing chamber 110, for output of the mixing fluid M via any of the fluid outlets described herein, as the concentration of CO2 in the mixing fluid M will be the same in such a conduit as inside the mixing chamber 110.

[0076] The housing 100 may comprise a second part 140. The second part 140 may be arranged at the second end 102 of the housing 100. In the non-limiting example illustrated in Fig. 1 , the second part 140 extends from the mixing chamber 110 to the second end 102, but many other design options may be considered. The second part 140, if included and arranged in proximity to the second end 102 of the housing 100 may comprise the first fluid outlet 141 for passing fluid out from the mixing chamber 110 and thus the housing 100.

[0077] The device 10 may in any configuration comprise a plurality of first fluid outlets 141. The plurality of first fluid outlets 141 may be arranged on one side of the device 10, or on different sides of the device, such as on opposing sides or evenly or unevenly distributed around the device, for example circumferentially around the device, depending on the design of the device and where the device is intended to be placed during use. For ease of illustration and explanation, a single first fluid outlet 141 is shown in Fig. 1 , and similarly the description below describes one such first fluid outlet 141.

[0078] The first fluid outlet 141 is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber 110, either directly or through a first conduit 151. The first conduit 151 is configured to allow the mixed fluid M to travel, or pass, from the mixing chamber 110 to the first fluid outlet 141. The mixed fluid M is urged to flow from the mixing chamber 110 to the first fluid outlet 141 by the airflow generated by the airflow device 150. Mixed fluid M is thus emitted from the first fluid outlet 141. The first fluid outlet 141 is arranged at a first distance D1 from the second end 102. When the device is in use and thereby placed on a meeting surface with the second end 102 facing down towards the meeting surface, the first fluid outlet is thereby arranged at a distance D1 from the surface on which the device 10 is placed. The first distance D1 is selected to be small, such that the first fluid outlet 141 is arranged in close proximity to the second end 102 of the device 10 and any surface on which it is placed. Suitably, the distance D1 < 300 mm, preferably D1 < 150 mm. As the mixed fluid M comprises CO2, the mixed fluid M is heavier than ambient air and will flow down towards the meeting surface on which the device is placed. This creates an increase of CO2 concentration in proximity to the first outlet 141 and the adjacent second end 102 of the device 10. As previously explained, bed bugs are naturally attracted to CO2 and they will as such be attracted towards the device 10, at the second end 102 of the device 10. In other words, by emitting the mixed fluid M from the first fluid outlet 141 , any bed bugs in close enough vicinity to the device 10 will be attracted to the device 10 due to the increased concentration of CO2 that forms around the lower part of the device 10.

[0079] The first distance and the second distance are adapted in order to achieve the desired concentration of CO2 to be formed around the bottom of the device and the wide spread gradient of CO2 in the surroundings, i.e. the room to be treated. It is desirable that CO2 is spread over a larger distance around the device with increasing concentration closer to the device, as described herein.

[0080] The first distance, being the distance from the second end 102 of the housing 100 to the first fluid outlet 141 , is preferably adapted to emit the mixed fluid M comprising CO2 so as to generate a local CO2 concentration increase compared to ambient air in proximity to the second end 102. The first distance D1 is for this purpose between 0 mm and 300mm, so that the first fluid outlet 141 is close enough to the second end 102 of the housing 100 and thus the surface on which the device 10 is placed during operation to achieve a local high concentration of CO2 in its immediate surroundings, drawing bed bugs into the bed bug trap element 180. It is advantageous for the first distance D1 to be small to ensure that the output mixed fluid M output via the first fluid outlet 141 is not transported to far from the device 10 before it falls down and comes to rest on the surface. Therefore, in preferred embodiments, the first distance D1 is below 300 mm, more preferably below 250 mm, even more preferably below 200 mm. In some non-limiting advantageous embodiments, the first distance D1 is below 170 mm, or even below 160 mm. Although there is no theoretical lower limit for how close the first fluid outlet 141 can be to the surface on which the second end 102 of the housing 100 rests, the design of the device 10 often provides such restraints. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 1 , components of the device such as the trapping element may be located below the first fluid outlet 141 so that the local CO2 concentration is focused directly around the trapping element. Also, the thickness of the bottom wall of the housing may provide an obstacle to the first fluid outlet 141 being located at 0 mm distance from the second end 102 of the housing 100. Therefore, the first distance D1 is in preferred embodiments greater than e.g. 50 mm, often greater than about 100 mm, to provide room for at least on entrance to a trapping element below it. For instance, the first distance may be around 150 mm. However, depending on the design of the device, other distances within the set intervals may be selected if these are more preferred to achieve the desired effects for the specific design.

[0081] The second distance D2, being the distance from the second end 102 of the housing 100 to the second fluid outlet 142, is selected such that the mixed fluid M comprising CO2 emitted therefrom will travel further away from the second end 102 before it sinks down towards the surface (bed, floors, etc.) on which it will rest, compared to the mixed fluid M outlet via the first fluid outlet 141. This allows the mixed fluid M output via the second fluid outlet 142 to reach a greater radial distance from the device 10, thus covering a greater area around the device, and attract bed bugs over the wider area. Thereby, the desired gradient described herein is achieved. The second distance D2 is suitably selected so as to emit CO2 over the area of a space, or room, to be treated by the device, which is typically up to 30 m2. The distance D2 is in all embodiments greater than the distance D1 . Preferably, the second distance D2 is greater than 300 mm, so that the mixed fluid M output thereby reaches far enough away from the device to create a concentration gradient over a desired area. In a few non-limiting examples, the second distance D2 is selected to be in the interval of 300 - 700 mm, 350 - 650 mm, 400 - 500 mm, or 450 - 500 mm, as these are found to suitably achieve the desired effect of the providing the wide concentration gradient around the device 10, of up to or even over 30 m2. For instance, the second distance may be around 480 mm. However, it is noted that depending on the design of the device and at which effect the airflow device 150 is controlled to generate the airflow, a smaller distance than 300 mm may be contemplated as long as the output mixed fluid M still reached far enough to provide the desired gradient. It is of course also possible that the design of the device 10 and the controlling of the airflow device 150, or more than one such airflow device 150, are configured such that a first airflow is provided to the first fluid outlet 141 and a second airflow with a different effect is provided to the second fluid outlet 142, and / or that the diameter of the first and second fluid outlets 141 , 142 or any conduit fluidly connected thereto are differentiated so that the distances D1 and D2 can be differently selected to achieve the same result of a local high concentration and a wide concentration gradient.

[0082] The housing 100 further comprises a second fluid outlet 142 for passing fluid out from the housing 100. The device 10 may in any embodiment described herein comprise a plurality of second fluid outlets 142. The plurality of second fluid outlets 142 may then be arranged on one side of the device 10, or on different sides of the device, such as on opposing sides, or evenly or non-evenly distributed around the device, for example circumferentially around the device, depending on the design of the device and where the device is intended to be placed during use. A circumferential distribution may be preferred so to achieve an even CO2 distribution around the device 10. For ease of illustration and explanation, a single second fluid outlet 142 is shown in Fig. 1 , and similarly the description below describes one such second fluid outlet 142.

[0083] The second fluid outlet 142 is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber 110 and may be arranged in direct connection with the mixing chamber or fluidly connected to it by a second conduit 152, as illustrated in the non-limiting example in Fig. 1. In the example embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 , the housing comprises a second part 140 and the second fluid outlet 142 as well as the first fluid outlet are located within the second part 140 of the housing 100. The second fluid outlet 142 is arranged at a second distance D2 from the second end 102. Compared to the first distance D1 , the second distance D2 is greater. As such, the second fluid outlet 142 is located further away from the second end 102. In other words, the second fluid outlet 142 is at a greater height compared to the first fluid outlet 141 when the device 10 is placed on a meeting surface with the second end 102 facing downwards. Mixed fluid M emitted from the second fluid outlet 142 will move radially outwards and away from the device due to the airflow generated by the airflow device 150, and fall downwards until it meets a receiving surface, due to gravitational forces, gradually further away from the second end 102 compared to mixed fluid M emitted from the first fluid outlet 141 , since it originates from the second fluid outlet that is at a greater height, i.e. distance D2, from the second end 102 when the device 10 is in use. This creates a gradually increasing CO2 concentration towards the device 10 and towards its lower part and second end 102. The increasing CO2 concentration gradient towards the lower part and second end 102 of the device 10 guides attracted bed bugs towards the device 10, as described herein.

[0084] The first fluid outlet 141 and the second fluid outlet 142 may depending on what is suitable each be arranged in the mixing chamber 110 or in the second part 140 of the housing, if such a second part is included. The deciding condition is the condition that D2 > D1 , as described herein.

[0085] The device 10 also comprises a controller 210. Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating communication of input signals and control signals between the controller 210 and other components comprised in or communicatively connected to the device 10. The device 10 will now be further described with reference to both Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

[0086] The controller 210 is configured to generate an airflow control signal CA (referred to in some embodiments as the second control signal C2). The airflow control signal CA is configured to control the airflow device 150 to generate an airflow such that the concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid M output from the device 10 is in a preset interval. For instance, the controller 210 may be configured to start / stop or regulate the operation of the airflow device 150, such that a desired volume of air is mixed with the volume of CO2 emitted from the CO2 source 120 to obtain the desired concentration in the mixed fluid M before it is output. The airflow thus obtained also, as described herein, causes the mixed fluid M in the mixing chamber to be output via the first and second fluid outputs 141 , 142 at the two different heights, i.e. the first and second distance D1 , D2 from the second end 102 of the housing 100, during operation of the device 10.

[0087] As described in connection with Fig. 1 , the device 10 may additionally comprise at least one first sensor 130 (herein after exemplified by a single sensor) configured to measure a CO2 concentration in the mixed fluid M held within the mixing chamber 110. The first sensor 130 is configured to generate a first input signal S1 indicative of the measured CO2 concentration. The first input signal S1 is transmitted to a controller 210. The controller 210 may be arranged within the device 10 or arranged as a separate entity communicatively connected with the device 10.

[0088] The controller 210 is in one embodiment configured to obtain said first input signal S1 indicative of the CO2 concentration within the mixing chamber 110 from the first sensor 130 as described above. In another embodiment the controller 210 is, alternatively or additionally, configured to obtain the first input signal S1 from an input device 230 comprised or external to the device 10 and communicatively connected to the controller 210. In a further embodiment the controller 210 is, alternatively or additionally, configured to obtain an input parameter P1 from a memory 220, 320 comprised in or external to the device 10 and communicatively connected to the controller 210. The first input signal S1 may in these embodiments suitably be indicative of, and the input parameter P1 may comprise or be indicative of, a CO2 concentration value measured by the first sensor 130, an amount per time unit of fluid comprising CO2 that is to be passed from the CO2 source into the mixing chamber, or other comparable information data from which a CO2 concentration value or interval may be derived. S1 and P1 are thus each indicative of a CO2 concentration in the mixed fluid M that is output from the device 10. In any of these embodiments, the controller may be configured to generate a first control signal C1 configured to control the actuator 122 to control the passaging of fluid from the CO2 source 120 to the mixing chamber based on the obtained first input signal S1 and / or input parameter P1. The controller 210 is then further configured to generate the airflow control signal CA configured to control the airflow device 150 based on the first input signal S1 and / or the input parameter P1 . The controller 210 may be configured to compare the CO2 concentration derived from the first input signal S1 and / or input parameter P1 with tabulated, stored or input reference values or intervals indicative of a desired or allowed CO2 concentration value or range, which may in an example be indicative of human breath. For instance, if the measured CO2 concentration is determined to be too low compared to a preset desired value or interval, the controller 210 can generate the first control signal C1 to be configured to control the actuator 122 to increase the passing of fluid from the CO2 source 120, thus increasing the CO2 concentration of the mixed fluid M within the mixing chamber 110. The controller 210 may alternatively, or additionally, in response to CO2 concentration being determined to be too low, generate the airflow control signal CA such that is causes the airflow device 150 to decrease the airflow, thereby reducing the overall volume of air passing through the mixing chamber 110. Similarly, if the measured CO2 concentration is determined to be too high, the controller 210 may instead generate the first control signal C1 to be configured to control the actuator 122 to decrease the passing of fluid from the CO2 source 120, thus decreasing the CO2 concentration within the mixing chamber 110. The controller 210 may alternatively, in response to CO2 concentration being determined to be too high, generate the airflow control signal CA such that it causes the airflow device 150 to increase the airflow, thereby increasing the overall volume of air passing through the device mixing chamber 110. The device, through the CO2 concentration information obtained and by the controller 210 generating an airflow control signal CA, or second control signal C2, and a first control signal C1 is thus able to efficiently control the CO2 concentration within the formed mixed fluid M to be in a preset interval indicative of human breath.

[0089] The controller 210 contains input interfaces configured to obtain from the first sensor 130, the memory 220, 320 and / or the input device 230, at least one first input signal S1 and / or at least one input parameter P1. The controller 210 may be arranged within the device or communicatively connected to the device 10. Of course, the transmission to and from the controller 210 may be performed by any suitable data transferring means such as by wires or wireless data transfer.

[0090] The controller 210 may as described herein be configured to obtain the first input signal S1 and generate a first control signal C1 and an airflow control signal CA or second control signal C2. Thus, the controller 210 contains at least one output interface configured to provide the first control signal C1 and at least one another output interface configured to provide the airflow control signal CA or second control signal C2. The first control signal C1 is configured to control the actuator 122. By controlling the actuator 122, the controller 210 enables efficient regulation of the emission of CO2 from the CO2 source 120 in order to generate a mixed fluid M within the mixing chamber having a desired concentration of CO2, for instance being indicative of human breath. The first control signal C1 may be a control signal controlling the actuator to increase the emission of fluid comprising CChfrom the CO2 source 120, or a control signal controlling the actuator to decrease the emission of fluid comprising CO2 from the CO2 source 120, or a control signal controlling the actuator to stop the emission of fluid comprising CCh from the CO2 source 120.

[0091] The concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid M output from the device is a combination of the emitted CO2 from the CO2 source 120 and the airflow generated by the airflow device. Hence, based on information derived from the first input signal S1 and / or input parameter P1 , the CO2 concentration emitted from the device can be controlled and regulated by the generated airflow control signal CA and, if present, also the first control signal C1.

[0092] The airflow control signal CA or second control signal C2 is configured to control the airflow device 150 to generate the airflow from the air inlet 112 to the first fluid outlet 141 and if present, the second fluid outlet 142. The airflow control signal CA or second control signal C2 may be a control signal controlling the airflow device 150 to increase the effect of the airflow device 150, or a control signal controlling the airflow device 150 to decrease the effect of the airflow device 150, or a control signal controlling the airflow device 150 to stop the airflow device 150.

[0093] Thereby, by the generation of the first control signal C1 and the airflow control signal CA or second control signal C2, the device 10 of the present disclosure enables to efficiently control the concentration of emitted CO2 from the fluid outlets of the device 10 and allows for efficient bed bug attraction. However, it is understood that the device 10 of the present disclosure may operate with only the generation of the airflow control signal CA.

[0094] In some embodiment, the device 10 may further comprise at least one heat source 160 arranged to emit heat to the surroundings of the lower part of the second part 140, at or near the second end 102, and a surface on which the device 10 is placed on during use. In Fig. 1 and in the description herein a single such heat source 160 is shown and described. The heat source 160 may be arranged within the second part 140 of the housing, as illustrated in Fig. 1. By surroundings of the second part 140 near the second end 102 is meant a bed bug attraction area near the second end 102 of the device 10 intended to be an attraction point for bed bugs. Emitting heat to the surroundings of the second part 140 near the second end 102 of the device 10 further increases the attraction of bed bugs towards the device 10 as it better mimics, i.e. increases the resemblance of, a sleeping human being. It is especially advantageous that the heat is noticeable, and gradually increases, as the bed bugs approach the device 10, so they are even more efficiently guided towards the device 10 when the increased CO2 concentration has started to lure them in the direction of the device 10. It is understood that the emission of heat may be performed by heat conduction through the housing, or via at least one opening (not shown in the figures) arranged in the housing. The device 10 may then further comprise at least one second sensor 170 arranged to measure a temperature in the second part 140 of the housing, near the second end 102 of the housing 100. The controller 210 is in these embodiments configured to, based on the temperature indication given by the second control signal S2, generate a third control signal C3.

[0095] The controller 210 may correspondingly contain one or more input interfaces configured to receive the second input signal S2 and, based on the temperature indication given by the second control signal S2, generate a third control signal C3 configured to control the heat source 160. Thus, the controller also contains at least one output interface configured to provide the third control signal C3. The heat source may be configured, and controllable in response to the third control signal C3, to emit heat at a temperature similar to a human body temperature. Preferably, the emitted heat corresponds to the temperature of a human body, i.e. around 35 - 40 degrees C. The controller 210 may for this purpose be configured to compare the measured temperature with tabulated, stored or input reference values or intervals indicative of a preset desired or allowed temperature value or range, i.e. indicative of human body temperature. The controller 210 is then configured to generate the third control signal C3 to be configured to control the heat source 160 to increase the temperature (increase effect and / or time that heat is generated) if the measured temperature is below the desired or allowed temperature value or range, maintain operation if the temperature corresponds to the desired or allowed temperature value or range, or decrease the temperature (decrease effect and / or time that heat is generated) if the measured temperature is above the desired or allowed temperature value or range. Thereby, efficient heating and control of heating to resemble that emitted by a human is achieved around the lower part of the device 10, at or near the second end 102, thereby increasing the attraction of bed bugs towards the device 10.

[0096] The device 10 may further comprise a bed bug trap element 180 integrated with, in direct contact with or around at least part of the circumference of the second part 140 of the device, at or near the second end 102. Consequently, the trap element 180 will be at or around the lower part of the device 10, and in contact with the meeting surface on which the device 10 is placed, during use of the device 10. In the non-limiting example of the Fig. 1 , the optional bed bug trap element 180 is illustrated as being an integrated or attached part of the device 10, at the bottom of the device 10, in which the outer end of the bed bug trap element 180 forms the second end 102 of the device 10. The bed bug trap element 180 may be integrated with, connected to, or attached to the device, or be a separate element configured to be arranged in proximity of the device 10, in any known manner. The bed bug trap element 180 is configured to entrap attracted bed bugs so that they cannot escape after entering the trap element 180. The bed bug trap element 180 may e.g. be a deadfall trap, a sticky trap, an insecticide, a viscous liquid, or any combination thereof.

[0097] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of the controller 210 according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention. The controller 210 includes processing circuitry in the form of at least one processor 310 and a memory unit 320, i.e. non-volatile data carrier, storing a computer program 325, which, in turn, contains software for making the at least one processor 310 execute the actions mentioned in this disclosure when the computer program 325 is run on the at least one processor 310.

[0098] The controller 210 contains input interfaces configured to obtain the first input signal S1 indicative of a CO2 concentration from the first sensor 130, obtain the first input signal S1 indicative of a CO2 concentration from the input device 230, obtain the input parameter P1 indicative of a CO2 concentration from the memory 220, 320, and / or obtain the second input signal S2 indicative of a measured temperature from the second sensor 170. Further, the controller 210 contains at least one output interface configured to provide the first control signal C1 to control the actuator 122 to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source 120 to the mixing chamber 110, to provide the airflow control signal CA or the second control signal C2 to control the airflow device 150 to generate the airflow, and / or to provide the third control signal C3 to control the heat source 160 to emit heat.

[0099] In order to sum up, and with reference to the flow diagrams in Figs. 4 to 9, we will now describe the computer-implemented method for controlling a device 10, as described herein, for attracting bed bugs. The method is carried out by the controller 210 according to the invention and preferred embodiments thereof. It is noted that any advantages and effects described in connection with embodiments of the device 10 herein are equally applicable to the corresponding method embodiments for controlling such a device.

[0100] Turing first to the embodiment of Fig. 9, there is shown a method for controlling a device 10 for attracting bed bugs including a CO2 source 120 and a housing 100 having a first end 101 and a second end 102 opposite to the first end 101. The housing 100 comprises a mixing chamber 110 for holding a mixed fluid M, an air inlet 112 for passing input air AiriN into the mixing chamber 110, a mixing fluid intake 114 for passing a fluid comprising CO2 from the CO2 source 120 into the mixing chamber 110, an actuator 122 configured to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source 120 to the mixing chamber 110, a first fluid outlet 141 and a second fluid outlet 142 for passing fluid out from the housing 100. The first fluid outlet 141 is located at a first distance D1 from the second end 102 of the housing 100 and is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber 110, either directly or via a first conduit 151. The second fluid outlet 142 is located at a second distance D2 from the second end 102 of the housing 100, wherein the second distance D2 is greater than the first distance D1. The second fluid outlet 142 is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber 110, either directly or via a second conduit 152. The device 10 further comprises an airflow device configured to generate an airflow from the air inlet 112 to the first fluid outlet 141 , in response to an airflow control signal CA, and a controller 210.

[0101] The method of Fig. 9 comprises:

[0102] In step 910: Generating, by the controller 210, an airflow control signal CA.

[0103] The airflow control signal CA is configured to control the airflow device to generate the airflow from the air inlet 112 to the first fluid outlet 141 and to the second fluid outlet 142.

[0104] The airflow control signal CA is suitably generated such that the concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid M output from the device 10 is in a preset interval, as described herein. The preset interval may in a preferred embodiment coincide with or include values of the concentration of CO2 in human breath.

[0105] In some embodiments, the airflow control signal CA is also referred to herein as a second control signal C2.

[0106] Before, after, or in parallel with step 910, optional steps 920 and 930 may be performed, comprising:

[0107] In step 920: Checking, by the controller 210, if a first input signal S1 and / or an input parameter P1 has been obtained by the controller 210.

[0108] Generating, by the controller 210, the airflow control signal CA in step 910 may comprises generating the airflow control signal CA based on at least one obtained first input signal S1 and / or input parameter P1.

[0109] In one embodiment, step 920 comprises checking if a first input signal S1 has been received in the controller 210 from the input device 230. The first input signal S1 may then suitably be indicative of an amount per time unit of fluid comprising CO2 that is to be passed from the CO2 source 120 into the mixing chamber 110.

[0110] In another embodiment, step 920 comprises checking if an input parameter P1 has been received or retrieved, by the controller 210, the from a memory 220, 320 accessible to the controller 210. The input parameter may in this embodiment suitably be indicative of an amount per time unit of fluid comprising CO2 that is to be passed from the CO2 source 120 into the mixing chamber 110.

[0111] In yet another embodiment, wherein the device 10 further comprises a first sensor 130 configured to measure a CO2 concentration in a mixed fluid M held within the mixing chamber 110, step 920 comprises checking if a first input signal S1 has been received in the controller 210 from the first sensor 130. The first input signal S1 is in this embodiment indicative of at least one CO2 concentration value measured by the first sensor 130.

[0112] If at least one first input signal S1 and / or at least one input parameter P1 has been obtained, the method continues in step 930. Otherwise, the method loops back to step 920.

[0113] In step 930: Generating, by the controller 210, a first control signal C1 based on the obtained first input signal S1 and / or input parameter P1 .

[0114] The first control signal C1 is configured to cause the actuator 122 to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source 120 to the mixing chamber 110. The control may result in the passing of fluid to be increased, decreased, or stopped.

[0115] In step 940: Control, by the controller 210, the device 10 based on the airflow control signal CA and, if steps 920 and 930 have been performed, optionally also based on the first control signal C1.

[0116] After step 940 the method may return to step 910 and optionally step 920. Thereby, an iterative loop for controlling the device 10 is achieved. Alternatively, or additionally, step 940 may be followed by an optional step 950.

[0117] In optional step 450: Output, by the device 10, mixed fluid M.

[0118] Thereby, output of mixed fluid M having a CO2 concentration in the desired preset interval is provided, which will attract bed bugs to the device 10.

[0119] T uring now to the embodiment of Fig. 4, there is shown a more specific embodiment of the method of Fig. 9.

[0120] The device 10 of Fig. 4 is the same as the one described in connection with Fig. 9, except that it always includes a first sensor 130 configured to measure a CO2 concentration in a mixed fluid M held within the mixing chamber 110, and that the housing 100 also comprises a second part 140 separate from the mixing chamber 110. The second part 140 is arranged at the second end 102 of the housing and in this embodiment preferably comprises the first fluid outlet 141 for passing fluid out from the housing 100.

[0121] The method according to this embodiment comprises:

[0122] In step 410: Checking, by the controller 210, if a first input signal S1 and / or an input parameter P1 has been obtained in the controller 210.

[0123] This step is similar to step 920 of Fig. 9.

[0124] If a first input signal S1 or an input parameter P1 has been obtained, the method continues in step 420 and 430. Otherwise, the method loops back to step 410.

[0125] In step 420: Generating, by the controller 210, a first control signal C1 based on the obtained first input signal S1 and / or input parameter P1 .

[0126] This step is similar to optional step 930 of Fig. 9. The difference is that in this embodiment it is always performed.

[0127] In step 430: Generating, by the controller 210, a second control signal C2 based on the first input signal S1.

[0128] As mentioned herein, the second control signal S2 is exchangeable with the airflow control signal CA. This step is similar to step 910 of Fig. 9.

[0129] The second control signal C2 is configured to control the airflow generated by the airflow device 150. The control may result in the effect of the airflow device 150 being increased, decreased, or stopped.

[0130] The controller 210 is in this embodiment expressly configured to generate the first control signal C1 and the second control signal C2 to be configured to, together, control the actuator 122 and the airflow device 150 to pass fluid from the CO2 source into the mixing chamber and generate the airflow from the air inlet to the first (and optionally also the second) fluid outlet such that the CO2 concentration of the mixed fluid M that is output from the device 10 is in a preset interval indicative of human breath. Generation of the first and second control signals C1 , C2 may therefore include comparing the CO2 concentration value derivable from the first input signal S1 , or derivable from the amount per time unit of fluid comprising CO2 that is to be passed from the CO2 source 120 into the mixing chamber 110 from the first input signal S1 or input parameter P1 , to a desired value or interval (such as the preset interval indicative of human breath described herein), to determine if and how the CO2 concentration and / or airflow through the mixing chamber 110, i.e. air intake, should be adjusted to achieve the result that the CO2 concentration of the mixing fluid will come closer to the desired concentration value or interval.

[0131] In step 440: Control, by the controller 210, the device 10 based on the first and second control signals C1 , C2.

[0132] As shown in Fig. 5, detailing the method step 440, this preferably comprises sending the first control signal C1 to the actuator 122, thereby causing the actuator 122 to control the passing of air from the CO2 source based on the first control signal C1 , and sending the second control signal C2, or the airflow control signal CA, to the airflow device 150, thereby controlling the airflow device 150 to generate the airflow based on this control signal.

[0133] Thereby, mixed fluid M, held in the mixing chamber 110 and to be output from the device 10, having a CO2 concentration in the preset interval, e.g. being indicative of and thus mimicking human breath, is obtained.

[0134] After step 440 the method may return to step 410. Thereby, an iterative loop for controlling the device 10 is achieved. Alternatively, or additionally, step 440 may be followed by an optional step 450.

[0135] In optional step 450: Output, by the device 10, mixed fluid M.

[0136] Thereby, output of mixed fluid M having a CO2 concentration in the preset interval, e.g. being indicative of human breath, is provided, which will attract bed bugs to the device 10.

[0137] Fig. 7 discloses a further embodiment of the method of Fig. 9 for controlling the device 10, wherein the device 10 further comprises a heat source 160 arranged to emit heat to a surrounding of the second end 102 and a surface on which the device 10 is placed on during use, and a second sensor 170 arranged to measure a temperature at or near the second end 102. Below, we will only describe in detail the method steps that differ from those already described in connection with Figs. 4 and 5 above.

[0138] The method of Fig. 7 comprises the method steps 410, 420 and 440 as already described herein. According to this embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0139] In step 710: Checking, by the controller 210, if a second input signal S3 has been received in the controller 210.

[0140] The second input signal S2 is indicative of a measured temperature from the second sensor 170. If a second input signal S2 has been received, the method continues in step 720. Otherwise, the method loops back to step 710.

[0141] In step 720: Generating, by the controller 210, a third control signal C3 based on the second input signal S2.

[0142] The third control signal C3 is configured to cause the actuator 122 to control an emission of heat from the heat source 160 such that heat emitted at the second end 102 of the device 10 is in a preset interval indicative of human body heat. The control may result in the emitted temperature from the heat source being increased or decreased.

[0143] The controller is thus configured to generate the third control signal C3 to be configured to control the heat source 160 to emit heat such that heat emitted at the second end 102 of the device 10 is in a preset interval indicative of human body heat. Generation of the third control signal C3 may therefore include comparing the measured temperature derivable from the second input signal S2 to a desired temperature value or interval (such as preset interval indicative of human body heat described herein), to determine if and how the emission of heat should be adjusted to achieve the result that the heat emitted at the second end 102 of the device 10 will come closer to the desired temperature value or interval.

[0144] The method then continues in Step 440. Step 440 according to this embodiment optionally comprises, in addition to what was described in connection with Figs. 4, 5 and 9, controlling the device for attracting bed bugs also based on the third control signal C3. As further detailed in Fig. 8, step 440 according to this embodiment may comprise, in addition to what was described in connection with Figs. 9 and 5, controlling emission of heat from the heat source 160 based on the third control signal such that heat emitted at the second end 102 of the device 10 is in a preset interval indicative of human body heat. This may be done in any manner described in connection with embodiments of the device 10.

[0145] After step 440 the method may as shown in Fig. 7 return to step 410 and / or step 710. Thereby, an iterative loop for controlling the device 10 is achieved. Alternatively, or additionally, step 440 may be followed by an optional step 730.

[0146] Optional step 730 is similar to step 450 but differs from step 450 in that it also includes emitting, by the device 10, heat at a temperature that resembles human body heat, i.e. is in the preset interval indicative of human body heat. Thereby, output of mixed fluid M having a CO2 concentration in the preset interval indicative of human breath and emission of heat in the preset interval indicative of human body heat is provided, which will even more efficiently attract bed bugs to the device 10.

[0147] Finally, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the method according to any embodiment herein may further comprise:

[0148] In step 610: defining, by the controller, at least one emission cycle.

[0149] Each emission cycle has a start point where a passing of fluid from the CO2 source 120 to the mixing chamber 110 or an airflow generated by the airflow device 150 is initiated or increased in response to a received first control signal C1 , and an end point where the passing of fluid from the CO2 source 120 to the mixing chamber 110 or the airflow generated by the airflow device 150 is caused to stop or decrease.

[0150] In step 620: controlling emission of fluid from the first fluid outlet 141 and the second fluid outlet 142 based on the defined at least one emission cycle.

[0151] Thereby, the method can control the device to be operated in such a way that different operational cycles can be performed. Each operational cycle results in the emission of CO2 from the device and an increase of CO2 concentration around the device. It has been found that by performing different cycles, and thus cyclically increasing and decreasing the CO2 concentration around the device, an improved bed bug attraction is achieved compared to if only one, longer, cycle is performed.

Claims

33CLAIMS1. A device (10) for attracting bed bugs, the device (10) comprising a CO2 source (120) and a housing (100) having a first end (101) and a second end (102) opposite to the first end (101), the housing (100) comprising: a mixing chamber (110) for holding a mixed fluid (M), an air inlet (112) for passing input air (AiriN) into the mixing chamber (110), a mixing fluid intake (114) for passing a fluid comprising CO2 from the CO2 source (120) into the mixing chamber (110), a first fluid outlet (141) for passing fluid out from the housing (100), wherein the first fluid outlet (141) is located at a first distance (D1) from the second end (102) of the housing (100), and wherein the first fluid outlet (141) is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber (110), an actuator (122) configured to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source (120) to the mixing chamber (110), and a second fluid outlet (142) for passing fluid out from the housing (100), wherein the second fluid outlet (142) is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber (110), and wherein the second fluid outlet (142) is located at a second distance (D2) from the second end (102), the second distance (D2) being greater than the first distance (D1), wherein the device (10) further comprises: an airflow device (150) configured to generate an airflow from the air inlet (112) to the first fluid outlet (141) and to the second fluid outlet (142), and a controller (210) configured to generate an airflow control signal (CA) configured to control the airflow device () to generate the airflow such that the concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid (M) output from the device (10) is in a preset interval.

2. The device (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the first distance D1 is below 300 mm.

3. The device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the preset interval is indicative of human breath.

4. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (210) is configured to: obtain a first input signal (S1) or an input parameter (P1 ), generate a first control signal (C1) configured to cause the actuator (122) to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source (120) to the mixing chamber (110), based on the first input signal (S1) or input parameter (P1), and34 generate the airflow control signal (CA) based on the first input signal (S1) or input parameter (P1).

5. The device (10) according to claim 4, further comprising a first sensor (130) configured to measure a CO2 concentration in a mixed fluid (M) held within the mixing chamber (110), wherein the controller (210) is configured to obtain the first input signal (S1) from the first sensor (130), and wherein the first input signal (S1) is indicative of a measured CO2 concentration.

6. The device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the controller (210) is configured to obtain the first input signal (S1) from an input device (230).

7. The device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the controller (210) is configured to obtain the input parameter (P1) from a memory (220, 320) comprised in or communicatively connected to the device (10).

8. The device (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (101) and the second end (102) define a first axis (A) therebetween, preferably wherein the housing (100) is elongated and wherein the first axis (A) is a longitudinal axis parallel to the main extension of the housing (100).

9. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the CO2 source (120) is arranged at least partially inside the device (10).

10. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the airflow device (150) is arranged inside the mixing (110) chamber.

11. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) further comprises a heat source (160) arranged at and arranged to emit heat to the surroundings of the second end (102) and a surface on which the device (10) is placed during use.

12. The device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the device (10) further comprises a second sensor (170) arranged to measure a temperature near the second end (102) of the housing (100), and wherein the controller (210) is further configured to receive a second input signal (S2) indicative of a measured temperature from the second sensor (170) and generate a third control signal (C3) configured to control the heat source (160) to emit heat based on the second inputsignal (S2) such that heat emitted at the second end (102) of the device (10) is in a preset interval indicative of human body heat.

13. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (210) is configured to control the emission of fluid from the first fluid outlet (141) and the second fluid outlet (142) according to at least one distinct CO2 emission cycle, wherein each of the at least one CO2 emission cycle is defined by a start point wherein the emitted CO2 concentration is at first CO2 concentration value, a peak point wherein the emitted CO2 concentration is at the maximum value greater than the first CO2 concentration value, and an end point wherein the emission of CO2 stops.

14. The device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the controller (210) is further configured to determine a duration of each of the at least one CO2 emission cycle or the concentration of CO2 emitted during a CO2 emission cycle based on the obtained first and / or second input signals (S1 , S2), the input parameter, manual input and / or based on predetermined time intervals.

15. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) further comprises a bed bug trap element (180) near the second end (102) and a surface on which the device (10) is placed during use, wherein the bed bug trap element (180) preferably comprises a deadfall trap, a sticky trap, an insecticide, a viscous liquid, or any combination thereof.

16. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the airflow device (150) is a fan or a pump, wherein the airflow device (150) is preferably a fan.

17. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) comprises a plurality of first fluid outlets (141).

18. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) comprises a plurality of second fluid outlets (142).

19. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the interval indicative of human breath may be a CO2 concentration of at least 450 ppm, preferably a concentration of 500 - 6000 ppm, even more preferably of 1000 - 5000 ppm and most preferably 1500 - 3000 pm.

20. A computer-implemented method for controlling a device (10) for attracting bed bugs according to any of the claims 1-19, the device (10) comprising a CO2 source (120) and a housing (100) having a first end (101) and a second end (102) opposite to the first end (101), the housing (100) comprising: a mixing chamber (110) for holding a mixed fluid (M), an air inlet (112) for passing input air (AiriN) into the mixing chamber (110), a mixing fluid intake (114) for passing a fluid comprising CO2 from the CO2 source (120) into the mixing chamber (110), an actuator (122) configured to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source (120) to the mixing chamber (110), a first fluid outlet (141) for passing fluid out from the housing (100), and wherein the first fluid outlet (141) is located at a first distance (D1) from the second end (102) of the housing (100), and wherein the first fluid outlet (141) is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber (110) via a first conduit (151), and a second fluid outlet (142) for passing fluid out from the housing (100), wherein the second fluid outlet (142) is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber (110), and wherein the second fluid outlet (142) is located at a second distance (D2) from the second end (102), the second distance (D2) being greater than the first distance (D1), wherein the device (10) further comprises an airflow device () configured to generate an airflow from the air inlet (112) to the first fluid outlet (141) and to the second fluid outlet (142), and a controller (210), which method is performed in a processor (430) of the controller (210), wherein the method comprises: generating, by the controller (210), an airflow control signal (CA) configured to control the airflow device () to generate the airflow from the air inlet (112) to the first fluid outlet (141) and to the second fluid outlet (142) such that the concentration of CO2 in the mixed fluid (M) output from the device (10) is in a preset interval, and generating, by the airflow device (), an airflow in response to the airflow control signal (CA).

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising obtaining, by the controller (210), a first input signal (S1) or an input parameter (P1).

22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein generating, by the controller (210), the airflow control signal (CA) comprises generating the airflow control signal (CA) based on the first input signal (S1) or input parameter (P1).3723. The method according to claim 21 or 22, further comprising generating a first control signal (C1) configured to cause the actuator (122) to control the passing of fluid from the CO2 source (120) to the mixing chamber (110), based on the first input signal (S1) or input parameter (P1).

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the device (10) further comprises a first sensor (130) configured to measure a CO2 concentration in a mixed fluid (M) held within the mixing chamber (110), wherein obtaining the first input signal (S1) or input parameter (P1) comprises receiving, in the controller (210), the first input signal (S1) from the first sensor (130), and wherein the first input signal (S1) is indicative of a measured CO2 concentration.

25. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein obtaining the first input signal (S1) or input parameter (P1) comprises receiving, in the controller (210), the first input signal (S1) from an input device (230).

26. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein obtaining the first input signal (S1) or input parameter (P1) comprises receiving or retrieving, by the controller (210), the input parameter (P1) from a memory (220, 320).

27. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 26, further comprising emitting heat to the surroundings of the second end (102) of the device (10) and a surface on which the device (10) is placed during use, by a heat source (160) arranged at the second end (102) of the device (10).

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the device (10) further comprises a second sensor (170) arranged to measure a temperature at or near the second end (102) of the housing, and wherein the method further comprises, by the controller (210): receiving a second input signal (S2) indicative of a measured temperature from the second sensor (170), and generating a third control signal (C3) based on the second input signal (S2), the third control signal (C3) being configured to control an emission of heat from the heat source (160) such that heat emitted at the second end (102) of the device (10) is in a preset interval indicative of human body heat.

29. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 28, further comprising, by the controller (210):38 defining at least one emission cycle, each having a start point where a passing of fluid from the CO2 source (120) to the mixing chamber (110) or an airflow generated by the airflow device (150) is initiated or increased in response to a received first control signal (C1), and an end point where the passing of fluid from the CO2 source (120) to the mixing chamber (110) or the airflow generated by the airflow device (150) is caused to stop or decrease; controlling emission of fluid from the first fluid outlet (141) and the second fluid outlet (142) based on the defined at least one emission cycle.

30. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 29, further comprising, by the controller (210), determine a duration of each of the at least one CO2 emission cycle or the concentration of CO2 emitted during a CO2 emission cycle based on the obtained first and / or second input signals (S1 , S2) and / or input parameter, manual input and / or based on predetermined time intervals.31 . A computer program (325) loadable into a non-volatile data carrier (320) communicatively connected to at least one processor (310), the computer program (325) comprising software for executing the method according any of the claims 20 to 30 when the computer program (325) is run on the at least one processor (310).

32. A non-volatile data carrier (320) containing the computer program (325) of claim 31.

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