Pest Trap Sensor Fusion for Low-Cost Reliable Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pest detection traps using electronic noses are costly due to complex hardware and require substantial research and development, and are not widely adopted because of high costs and the need for fine-tuning VOC profiles for different local requirements.
Innovation Solution
A cost-effective pest detection trap using a combination of gas sensors for VOC data and non-gas sensors for environmental parameters, along with a data processing model like a neural network, to integrate and analyze both types of data for reliable pest detection and identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic noses (gas sensors) are used for pest detection, then detection capability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gas sensors (electronic noses) with non-gas sensors (acoustic, optical, mechanical sensors) into an integrated pest detection system. This merging allows the system to leverage multiple sensing modalities, where each sensor type compensates for the limitations of others, thereby maintaining high detection reliability while distributing the complexity across simpler, more affordable sensor components rather than relying solely on expensive electronic noses
2Reliability
If electronic noses are used for pest detection, then detection capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pest detection function across multiple sensor types (gas sensors, acoustic sensors, optical sensors, mechanical sensors) rather than relying on a single expensive electronic nose system. Each sensor segment performs a specific aspect of pest detection, and the combined output achieves reliable pest identification. This segmentation allows the use of lower-cost individual sensor components while maintaining overall system effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, more affordable sensor components that can be manufactured at lower cost compared to expensive electronic noses. These include acoustic sensors, optical sensors, and mechanical sensors that are generally less costly and easier to manufacture. The system achieves reliable detection through the combination of these simpler sensors rather than depending on expensive, complex electronic nose hardware
3Quantity of substance
If gas sensors alone are used, then VOC detection is achieved, but detection reliability is reduced due to dependency on air composition changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces non-gas sensors (acoustic, optical, mechanical sensors) as intermediary detection mechanisms that provide additional information about pest presence independent of air composition. These intermediary sensors detect pests through alternative physical principles (sound waves, light reflection, mechanical movement) that are not affected by VOC concentration or air composition changes, thereby mediating and stabilizing the overall detection reliability
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 solution provides reliable pest detection and identification at a lower cost by reducing the complexity of sensors and dependency on air composition changes, improving detection reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
one or more gas sensors arranged to register airborne substances released in the capture compartment
Implementation Method 2
one or more non-gas sensors arranged to register one or more environmental parameters in the capture compartment and/or in the one or more entrances
Implementation Method 3
providing the gas sensor data and the non-gas sensor data as inputs to the data processing model, and generating output data from the data processing model, wherein the output is indicative of presence or non-presence of the one or more pests
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (700) for detecting one or more pests in a trap (100) is disclosed. The trap (100) comprises one or more entrances (102), a capture compartment (104), one or more gas sensors (106) arranged to register airborne substances released in the capture compartment (104) and one or more non-gas sensors (108) arranged to register one or more environmental parameters in the capture compartment (104) and/or in the one or more entrances (102), a control circuitry (110), comprising a processor (112) and a memory (114), arranged to control operation of the one or more gas and non-gas sensors (106, 108), and a data processing model (116) communicatively connected to the control circuitry (110). The method comprises obtaining (702) gas sensor data (204) indicative of the airborne substances using the one or more gas sensors (106), obtaining (704) non-gas sensor data (206) indicative of the one or more environmental parameters using the one or more non-gas sensors (108), providing (706) the gas sensor data (204) and the non-gas sensor data (206) as inputs to the data processing model (116), and generating (708) output data (208) from the data processing model (116), wherein the output is indicative of presence or non-presence of the one or more pests in the capture compartment (104).