Ultrasonic Animal Pest Detection System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting animal pests, especially in large spaces or with low infestations, are inefficient and often result in delayed detection, as they rely on animal interaction with bait or monitoring boxes, leading to potential property damage and disease spread.

Innovation Solution

A method and device using ultrasonic signal patterns to detect animal presence by analyzing input sound signals within a specific frequency range, distinguishing characteristic vocalizations of the target species, and providing output sounds to induce animal behavior, allowing for remote monitoring and reduced false alarms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional detection methods (bait inspection, monitoring boxes) are used, then device complexity is reduced, but detection precision and reliability deteriorate due to delayed detection and false negatives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical detection systems (bait boxes, traps requiring physical inspection) with an acoustic detection system using ultrasonic sensors and signal processing. The sensor detects animal vocalizations and movements acoustically, eliminating the need for physical bait consumption or trap entry, thereby improving detection precision without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary medium to detect animal presence. Instead of directly observing animals or their physical interactions with bait, the system uses sound waves to indirectly detect animal vocalizations and movements, providing a non-intrusive detection method that improves reliability without adding mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If bait or monitoring boxes are used, then detection method simplicity is maintained, but detection time increases and productivity decreases due to weekly inspection intervals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoiddetection time delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous acoustic monitoring that operates without interruption, constantly detecting animal vocalizations and movements. This eliminates the periodic inspection intervals of traditional methods, providing real-time detection capability that significantly improves detection speed and eliminates time delays associated with weekly bait box checks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system operates autonomously without requiring human intervention for bait replacement or box inspection. The acoustic sensor continuously monitors the environment and automatically processes signals to detect animal presence, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the time loss associated with manual inspection cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If animals must interact with bait or boxes, then detection method simplicity is maintained, but detection reliability worsens when animals avoid interaction or spaces are too large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to large spaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical interaction-based detection (animals entering boxes or consuming bait) with acoustic field-based detection. Ultrasonic sensors detect animal vocalizations and movements through sound wave propagation, which travels effectively across large spaces without requiring animal interaction with physical objects. This improves reliability in large areas where animals may avoid confined spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic detection system serves multiple functions: detecting animal vocalizations, monitoring movements, and operating across various space sizes and configurations. The system adapts to different environments (large open spaces, confined areas) without requiring modification, providing universal detection capability that improves reliability across diverse scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 earlier detection of low-level animal infestations with fewer false alarms, allowing for timely intervention and reduced risk of property damage and disease spread, as the system can detect animals at a range greater than 1 meter and differentiate between species-specific sounds.

Implementation Method 1

monitoring for sounds in a desired region so as to obtain an input sound signal within a predetermined frequency range; analysing the obtained input sound signal to distinguish at least one ultrasonic signal pattern characteristic of a sound made by the species of animal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic detection: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentEP3346832B1Animal pest detection method and device
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 RENTOKIL INITIAL 1927 PLC
  • EP3346832B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3346832B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP3346832B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A device emits ultrasonic sounds of an animal, for example, a rodent, and detects characteristic sounds of an animal, for example a rodent. In a method characteristic sounds of an animal are detected, for example a rodent, and when detected the device transmita signal and in response an operative is called to the site and performs pest control.