Rodent Trap with Light-Based Sensor for Remote Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing live catch rodent traps require frequent manual inspection for pest activity and cleanliness, leading to time wastage and inefficiency, especially when no activity has occurred.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a microprocessor and light-based sensor, specifically a photo sensor with LED and photodiode arrays, within the trap to detect rodent presence and transmit trap status wirelessly to a remote device, allowing for remote monitoring and reducing false triggers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection of traps is performed frequently to ensure accurate pest activity detection, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trap system performs self-monitoring using integrated light-based sensors and microprocessors that automatically detect rodent presence and transmit status data, eliminating the need for human inspectors to physically check each trap while maintaining continuous monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical inspection is replaced by an automated electronic monitoring system comprising light-based sensors, microprocessors, and wireless transmitters that detect rodent activity through light blockage and communicate trap status remotely
2Loss of time
If remote monitoring capabilities are added to traps, then loss of time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-based sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting rodent presence through light blockage, monitoring trap status, and providing data for wireless transmission, thereby consolidating multiple monitoring tasks into a single integrated system that justifies the added complexity through functional consolidation
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
Enables remote monitoring of rodent and insect activity, and trap cleanliness, reducing unnecessary inspections and ensuring timely maintenance by providing accurate and efficient status updates to users.
Implementation Method 1
The light-based sensor is a photo sensor that includes a light emitting diode (LED) array and a photodiode array
Implementation Method 2
The LEDs are pulsed at a predetermined frequency which, in the absence of rodent presence, stimulates the photodiodes
Data Source
Figure 1A~1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
A live catch trap having a light-based sensor mounted therein and remote communication capability is provided. The light-based sensor may be a visual image device such as a CMOS or CCD camera that evaluates the status of the trap interior for the presence of insects and/or rodents. The camera may be activated to check the trap interior either periodically or in response to an event as detected by one or more sensors such as a motion detector, accelerometer, pressure sensor and/or temperature sensor. Alternatively, the trap may include a reflectivity sensor or a photo sensor including arrays of LEDs and photodiodes. The trap includes a microprocessor that evaluates the data collected by the light-based sensor to determine what type of activity has been sensed and then reports this information wirelessly to a remote user.