Active Infrared Sensor Pest Detection with Adaptive Baseline
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pest control systems require frequent manual inspection and are inefficient in detecting pests like rodents and insects, particularly in residential and commercial settings, leading to potential damage and health risks.
Innovation Solution
A pest control device equipped with an active infrared sensor that monitors ambient infrared signatures, adjusts to environmental changes, and triggers pest control actions autonomously, using a controller to communicate with remote systems and reduce manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual inspection methods are used to detect pests, then device complexity is low, but productivity is low and loss of time is high due to frequent service personnel visits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual inspection mechanisms with an automated active infrared sensor system. The sensor autonomously detects pests by emitting infrared pulses and measuring reflected light, eliminating the need for service personnel to physically inspect traps. This substitution of mechanical/manual detection with optical sensing resolves the contradiction by dramatically improving productivity while keeping device complexity manageable through standardized sensor components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs self-monitoring and autonomous pest detection without requiring external service personnel. The controller automatically processes infrared signals, compares them against baseline data, and triggers alerts when pests are detected. This self-service capability resolves the contradiction by enabling continuous monitoring (high productivity) through automated processing rather than manual inspection.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented to improve detection reliability, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases reducing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic infrared pulse emission rather than continuous monitoring. The controller emits infrared pulses at intervals and measures reflected light during these periodic cycles. This periodic action maintains reliable pest detection (detecting any pest that enters the trap during monitoring cycles) while dramatically reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy use.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system maintains continuous surveillance capability through periodic sampling that covers the entire operational period. By continuously cycling through detection intervals without gaps that would compromise monitoring coverage, the system ensures reliable detection while managing energy consumption through efficient duty cycling. The useful action of pest detection continues uninterrupted despite periodic measurement cycles.
3Measurement precision
If adaptive baseline adjustment is implemented to improve detection precision, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary baseline measurement during device initialization and before actual pest detection. The controller collects infrared signature data from the environment when no pests are present, establishing a baseline for comparison. This preliminary action enables precise measurement by having reference data ready before detection begins, while keeping processing complexity manageable by separating baseline establishment from real-time detection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by comparing current infrared measurements against the established baseline and adjusting detection parameters accordingly. When environmental conditions change, the system can update the baseline to reflect new normal conditions, maintaining measurement precision. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by using simple comparison logic rather than complex algorithms, keeping device complexity low while improving measurement precision through adaptive baseline adjustment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides long-term, low-power pest detection and control, reducing maintenance needs and enabling efficient, adaptive pest monitoring with minimal human intervention, extending battery life to four years and enhancing detection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
activate a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes
Implementation Method 2
measure an ambient infrared light value with a photodetector
Implementation Method 3
determine an active infrared signature for a monitored space; determine whether the active infrared signature is outside a predetermined window
Data Source
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AI summary
A device, system, and method of controlling pests are disclosed. The system includes an active infrared sensor including infrared emitters and photodetectors. The active infrared sensor is configured to determine an active infrared signature for a monitored space, determine whether the active infrared signature is outside a predetermined window in relation to a baseline signature, and activate a controller in response to determining that the active infrared signature is outside the window. The controller is configured to perform a pest control action in response to activation. The pest control action may include notifying a remote system. The active infrared sensor may be included in a housing having a first opening, a second opening, and a passage sized to receive an insect. The active infrared sensor may be coupled to the housing such that the active infrared sensor is positioned to illuminate part of the passage.