Wildlife Camera EMF Shielding for Animal Detection Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Wildlife cameras often detect wildlife due to the electromagnetic energy emissions they generate, causing animals to avoid the camera's location, particularly deer which may perceive these emissions as visual patterns or magnetic interference.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating electromagnetic shielding, such as conductive or magnetic materials, to reduce the electromagnetic field emissions from wildlife cameras, including RF shielding to block radio frequency radiation, thereby making the cameras less detectable to animals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If wildlife cameras use electronic components for motion detection and image capture, then the camera can automatically monitor and photograph wildlife, but the electromagnetic emissions generated by these components cause animals to detect and avoid the camera's location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic wildlife monitoringVSAvoidelectromagnetic emissions detected by animals
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electromagnetic shielding enclosure as an intermediary between the camera's electronic components and the surrounding environment. This enclosure acts as a mediator that blocks electromagnetic emissions from reaching wildlife, thereby preventing animals from detecting the camera while allowing the automated monitoring function to continue operating inside the shielded space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful electromagnetic emissions into a benefit by using them to identify areas that need shielding. The emissions serve as a diagnostic tool to determine the effectiveness of the electromagnetic shielding enclosure, allowing optimization of the shielding design to better protect wildlife from detection while maintaining camera functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If wildlife cameras transmit photos wirelessly, then real-time data collection is improved, but the radio frequency emissions increase animal detection and avoidance behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time data transmissionVSAvoidradio frequency emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic shielding enclosure serves as an intermediary that blocks radio frequency emissions from the wireless transmission components while allowing the data transmission function to operate. The enclosure mediates between the need for real-time productivity and the harmful RF emissions by containing the emissions within the shielded space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies electromagnetic shielding selectively to specific components that generate radio frequency emissions, such as the wireless transmission module. This localized shielding approach maintains real-time data transmission capability while minimizing the harmful RF emissions that animals can detect, rather than shielding the entire camera system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If wildlife cameras include motion detectors and triggering devices, then automated wildlife capture is enhanced, but the electronic emissions from these devices increase animal detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion detection accuracyVSAvoidelectromagnetic emissions from detection devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic shielding enclosure acts as an intermediary that isolates the motion detector and triggering devices from the external environment. This allows these electronic components to operate with high measurement precision for motion detection while the shielding prevents their electromagnetic emissions from reaching wildlife and causing detection or avoidance behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 electromagnetic shielding significantly reduces the electromagnetic field emissions, allowing wildlife cameras to operate undetected by animals, enhancing their effectiveness in monitoring and photographing wildlife without spooking the subjects.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating electromagnetic shielding, such as conductive or magnetic materials, to reduce the electromagnetic field emissions from wildlife cameras

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

Incorporating electromagnetic shielding, such as conductive or magnetic materials, to reduce the electromagnetic field emissions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConductive material shielding: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

Incorporating electromagnetic shielding, such as conductive or magnetic materials, to reduce the electromagnetic field emissions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic material shielding: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11122189B2Wildlife camera with EMF shielding
Publication Date: 2021.09.14 DACQUISTO ANDRAE T

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a wildlife surveillance camera comprising EMF shielding material that substantially reduces the electromagnetic field generated by said camera.