Optical Barrier Pest Deterrence Using Scanning Light Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling insect pests, such as mosquitoes and flies, are inefficient and pose health risks due to reliance on toxic chemicals, and there is a lack of effective real-time tracking and interaction with pest swarms, particularly in developing countries where malaria remains a significant issue.
Innovation Solution
An optical barrier system using a light source and moveable mirror or optical coupler, controlled by a processor and sensor system, to direct a light beam and create a pest-detecting and pest-guiding mechanism that can sweep through various directions to deter pests without the need for traps or toxic substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If toxic chemical agents are used for pest control, then pest mortality increases, but health risks and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic chemical agents with an optical system consisting of light sources, mirrors, and sensors to detect and deter pests. The system uses optical fields instead of chemical substances, eliminating health risks while maintaining pest control effectiveness through non-contact detection and optical barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system that mediates between the environment and pests. The light-based detection and barrier systems serve as intermediaries that allow pest monitoring and control without direct chemical contact, reducing harmful effects while maintaining control capability.
2Reliability
If traditional pest control methods are used, then some pest protection is achieved, but real-time tracking and interaction with pest swarms cannot be accomplished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback loops where sensors continuously detect pest positions and movements, transmit data to the control system, which then adjusts the optical barriers in real-time. This closed-loop feedback enables both reliable pest protection and real-time tracking by continuously monitoring and responding to pest behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects pest positions, creates protective barriers, and tracks pest movements in real-time. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate detection and control systems, achieving both reliable protection and real-time tracking capabilities.
3Reliability
If continuous optical barrier is maintained, then pest detection and deterrence are continuous, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic scanning of optical barriers rather than continuous illumination in all directions. The system activates light sources and mirrors only when pests are detected in specific zones, maintaining effective pest deterrence while reducing power consumption through intermittent operation instead of continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection using sensors before activating the full optical barrier. By detecting pest presence first and then activating only the necessary optical components, the system maintains reliable pest protection while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary continuous operation of all system components.
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 effectively creates a non-toxic, efficient barrier to guide pests away from humans and animals, reducing the risk of diseases like malaria by providing a continuous pest boundary without excessive power consumption or mechanical wear, thus offering a safer and more sustainable control method.
Implementation Method 1
a moveable mirror and an actuator to move the mirror to reflect the beam into a plurality of directions or locations
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for effecting an optical barrier and includes a light source emitting a beam. The apparatus also includes a moveable mirror and an actuator to move the mirror to reflect the beam into a plurality of directions or locations. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a processor and a memory chip including a sequence of instructions. The memory chip and the sequence of instructions causes the processor to receive data from a sensor system that indicates a location of a pest and operate the actuator to move the mirror to direct the beam to sweep through a range of directions that include the location of the pest. A light fixture is also provided, that includes the apparatus.