Pest control system and method

• US 10,220,109 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2017
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Todd H. Becker
• Original Assignee: Todd H. Becker
• Inventors: Becker, Todd H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reis, Ryan A
• Application Number:
  US15/603,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20170281822A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/00 Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for contact lenses A61L12/00; atomisers for disinfecting agents A61M; sterilisation of packages or package contents in association with packaging B65B55/00; treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge C02F; disinfecting paper D21H21/36; disinfecting devices for water closets E03D; articles having provision for disinfection, see the relevant subclasses for these articles, e.g. H04R1/12
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/11 Apparatus for controlling air treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/111 Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/133 Replaceable cartridges, refills
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/135 Vaporisers for active components
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/16 Connections to a HVAC unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/20 Method-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/00 Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air body deodorants A61Q15/00; purifying air by respirators A62B, A62D9/00; separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours B01D45/00 - B01D51/00, B03C3/00; chemical or biological purification of waste gases B01D53/34; production of ozone C01B13/10; air-conditioning systems incorporating sterilisation F24F3/16, F24F8/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/015 using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone A61L9/20 takes precedence ; evaporation in general B01B1/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/54 Mixing liquid fragrances with air
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/213 by spraying or atomising of the liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/08 responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged, of ambient medium or of target ; responsive to condition of spray devices or of supply means, e.g. pipes, pumps or their drive means
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/081 responsive to the weight of a reservoir or container for liquid or other fluent material; responsive to level or volume of liquid or other fluent material in a reservoir or container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/12 responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature position or movement of the target relative to the spray apparatus B05B12/082, B05B12/084 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2416 characterised by the means for producing or supplying the atomising fluid, e.g. air hoses, air pumps, gas containers, compressors, fans, ventilators, their drives
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2424 the carried liquid and the main stream of atomising fluid being brought together downstream of the container before discharge B05B7/2435 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2489 an atomising fluid, e.g. a gas, being supplied to the discharge device B05B7/2402, B05B7/2483, B05B7/262 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/262 a liquid and a gas being brought together before entering the discharge device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/146 : Genetically Modified [GMO] plants, e.g. transgenic plants

Abstract

A system for integrated pest management in an environment includes devices positioned within the environment. The devices each include a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a network device. The system further includes a network to provide communication between the network device to the devices. The network device receives communication and control functions from a remote computer for distribution to the devices. The system further includes a sensor positioned within the environment to transmit sensor data to the remote computer. The sensor is configured to detect and transmit a parameter for the environment to the remote computer. The system further includes a controller to control the emission of a fluid from a source of the fluid in fluid communication with the devices. The controller is configured to set or adjust an operation parameter of the devices in response to the sensor data.

Claims

1. A system for integrated pest management in an environment, the system comprising:

at least one device positioned within the environment, the at least one device including a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a network device;

a network to provide communication between the network device to the at least one device, the network device receiving communication and control functions from a remote computer for distribution to the at least one device;

at least one sensor positioned within the environment to transmit sensor data to the remote computer, the at least one sensor being configured to detect and transmit at least one parameter for the environment to the remote computer;

a controller to control, via the network device, the emission of a fluid, from a source of the fluid in fluid communication with the at least one device, the controller being configured to set or adjust an operation parameter of the at least one device in response to the sensor data; and

a switch, operatively coupled to the controller, configured to receive control instructions from the controller, and the control instructions causing the system to switch from utilizing one container in the system to utilizing a different container in the system,

wherein the controller is configured to implement a container package replenishment schedule, the container package replenishment schedule including at least part of a kan-ban inventory control system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one device includes first devices configured to repel pests and second devices configured to attract pests.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first devices are positioned in a first location of the environment and the second devices are positioned in a second location of the environment, the first location being separate and remote from the second location.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the network device is at least one of a wide-area network gateway device and a local area network control device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the network device transmits signals to and receives signals from the at least one fluid level sensor to the remote computer.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the fluid level sensor includes:

1) a floating magnet disposed within a track inside at least one container of the at least one device, wherein as a fluid level inside the at least one container changes, the floating magnet moves substantially vertically along the track, and

     2) at least one of a Hall effect sensor and a Hall effect switch disposed outside the at least one container at a position to enable sensing the position of the floating magnet in the track.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a wind speed sensor (anemometer), and a wind direction sensor.

8. A method of operating at least one device associated with an integrated pest management system within an environment, the method comprising:

receiving, at a computer, data from one or more sensors disposed in an environment, the data providing an indication that a service is being delivered in the environment;

identifying at least one device disposed in the environment, the at least one device including a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the computer;

based on the indication, creating, via the computer, an electronic data structure defining at least one physical operational state of the at least one device, the electronic data structure including data specifying at least one parameter of the at least one device; and

causing the at least one device to implement the at least one defined operational state,

wherein causing the at least one device to implement the at least one defined operational state includes at least one of scheduling and coordination of resources, the at least one of scheduling and coordinating of resources including causing the system to switch from utilizing one container in the system to utilizing a different container in the system, and

wherein the computer is configured to implement a container package replenishment schedule, the container package replenishment schedule including at least part of a kan-ban inventory control system.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein implementing the at least one defined operational state includes performing a days of supply calculation.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the calculation involves taking a measured current fluid level and dividing it by the average usage rate per day to determine a number of days of supply remaining.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the scheduling and coordination of resources further includes at least one of the dispatch of a replenishment technician and the transmission of an alert/email to on-site personnel.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one device includes first devices configured to repel pests and second devices configured to attract pests.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first devices are positioned in a first location of the environment and the second devices are positioned in a second location of the environment, the first location being separate and remote from the second location.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the data includes at least one of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction.

15. A method of managing a pest control system in an environment, the method comprising:

disposing at least one device within the environment, the at least one device including a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a wide-area network gateway device;

networking the network gateway device to the at least one device, the network gateway device receiving communication and control functions from a remote computer for distribution to the at least one device;

disposing at least one sensor within the environment that transmits sensor data to the remote computer;

receiving at least one parameter for the environment at the remote computer;

controlling, via the network gateway device, the emission of a fluid, from a source of the fluid in fluid communication with the at least one device, controlling including setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one device in response to the sensor data; and

receiving control instructions from the remote computer and switching from utilizing one container in the system to utilizing a different container in the system,

wherein the remote computer is configured to implement a container package replenishment schedule, the container package replenishment schedule including at least part of a kan-ban inventory control system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one device includes first devices configured to repel insects and second devices configured to attract insects, the first devices being positioned in a first location of the environment and the second devices being positioned in a second location of the environment, the first location being separate and remote from the second location.