Pest control techniques
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- installing a pest control device including a communication circuit; and
locating the pest control device after installation by receiving a wireless transmission from the pest control device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pest control system (20) includes pest control devices (110) installed about an area or building (22). These devices (110) each include a bait member and a communication circuit. The communication circuit may be in the form of a passive RF tag that transmits information indicative of bait status and an identifier unique to each pest control device (110). A hand held interrogator (30) is provided to locate and communicate with the pest control devices (110) via the communication circuit. A data collection unit (40) to accumulate data gathered from the pest control devices (110) may alternatively or additionally be utilized. The bait member may be configured with a magnetic component to provide a magnetic signature indicative of the bait consumption behavior of targeted varieties of pest. The devices optionally include one or more environmental sensors to evaluate and predict pest behavior.
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Citations
67 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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installing a pest control device including a communication circuit; and
locating the pest control device after installation by receiving a wireless transmission from the pest control device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method, comprising:
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installing a plurality of pest control devices each including a wireless communication circuit;
positioning a hand held interrogator to receive information from a first one of the pest control devices by wireless transmission; and
changing position of the hand held interrogator to receive information from a second one of the pest control devices by wireless transmission, the second one of the pest control devices being spaced apart from the first one of the pest control devices. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A pest control device, comprising:
- at least one bait member operable to be consumed or displaced by one or more species of pest and a passive RF communication circuit responsive to a wireless stimulation signal to transmit information about said pest control device.
- View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A combination, comprising:
- at least two pest control devices each arranged to be spaced apart from one another in an area to be protected from one or more pests, said pest control devices each including a passive RF communication circuit responsive to a stimulation signal.
- View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system, comprising:
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A plurality of pest control devices, two or more of said pest control devices each including a wireless communication circuit, said devices being arranged for independent installation to protect a selected area from one or more species of pest;
a hand held interrogator operable to establish wireless communication with each of said two or more pest control devices individually, said communication between said interrogator and a respective one of said two or more pest control devices being selectable in accordance with position of said interrogator relative to said two or more pest control devices; and
a data collection unit operable to receive information from said interrogator about one or more of said pest control devices. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A system, comprising:
- at least one pest control device including a pest sensing member, said member including a magnetic material, said magnetic material providing a magnetic field that changes in response to removal of said magnetic material from said member by one or more pests, said at least one pest control device further including a circuit operable to generate a signal corresponding to said magnetic field.
- View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A system, comprising:
- at least one pest control device including a member to sense at least one species of pest and a communication circuit, said communication circuit being operable to transmit a device identification code and pest detection information.
- View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A system, comprising:
- at least one pest control device including a pest sensor, a first environmental sensor, and a circuit operable to communicate information corresponding to a first environmental characteristic detected with said first environmental sensor and pest detection status determined with said pest sensor.
- View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A method, comprising:
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installing a plurality of pest control devices each including a bait for one or more species of pest and a wireless communication circuit; and
interrogating the pest control devices with a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device receiving a plurality of identification signals each corresponding to a different one of the pest control devices during said interrogating. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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Specification