Game Alert System

• US 20170079260A1
• Filed: 12/01/2016
• Published: 03/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hogman-Outdoors, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hogman-Outdoors, LLC
• Inventors: Hays, DeWayne L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,076,111 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 31/002 Detecting animals in a given area
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/38 Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance telescopic sights in general G02B; Supports or mountings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A game alert system includes a device mountable on a game feeder that detects motion in a target area and automatically sends an electronic signal to a user, or a hunter, in a remote location to notify the hunter of movement in the area, without alerting or startling animals that triggered the device. The system may include one or more cameras (which may be 360 degree cameras) and/or one or more GPS systems for obtaining photographs and/or video and/or collecting geographic data. The system may further include multiple motion sensors and a hub which wirelessly communicate with one another and which may communicate wirelessly with a user device such as a smartphone, tablet, night vision equipment, or other device.

Claims

21. A system for stealth hunting;

said system comprising;

a motion detector module comprising;

a motion sensor;

a wireless communication device electronically activatable by the motion sensor;

an indicator light source electronically activatable by the motion sensor, in which the indicator light is visible from a distance of at least 100 yards and does not illuminate the ground area around the motion detector module;

a power source or a connector for an external power source; and

an electronic circuit configured to control the motion sensor, and to control the interaction of the light source and the wireless communication device with the motion sensor;

a hub device, said hub device comprising;

a wireless communication device configured to receive wireless communications from one or more of said motion detector modules;

one or more indicator lights;

a vibrator device;

a short range wireless transmitter; and

an electronic circuit configured to respond to a signal received from one or more motion detector modules and to activate the vibrator device and/or an indicator light in response to said signal, wherein each indicator light is activated in response to a signal from a particular motion detector module;

and to transmit a signal over the short range wireless transmitter in response to a signal from a motion detector module.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a radio frequency (RF) transmitter.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the RF transmitter transmits at a frequency of 900 MHz.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the short range transmitter has a range of up to about 100 yards.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the short range wireless transmitter is pairable to a portable or wearable electronic device.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said portable or wearable electronic device is a cellular phone, smart phone, tablet, pad, pager, laptop, or watch.

27. The system of claim 21, comprising a plurality of motion detector modules, wherein each motion detector module transmits a unique identifier code recognizable by the hub;

and wherein the hub comprises a plurality of indicator lights, each associated with an individual motion detector module, and wherein the electronic circuit of the hub device is configured to recognize the identifier code of a received motion detector module and to active the indicator light associated with said motion detector module identification code upon receipt of the identifier code.

29. The system of claim 21, further comprising a scope-mountable flashlight.

30. A method of communicating information regarding animal movement from the vicinity of a game attracting device to a remote location, said method comprising:

(a) providing one or more presence detector modules comprising;

a housing;

a first electronic circuit;

a presence sensor at least partially contained in or attached to said housing, and electronically connected to said first electronic circuit;

an indicator light source in which the indicator light is positioned on or in the housing to be visible from a distance of at least 100 yards from the housing and to be shielded from illuminating the ground area within the detection cone of the presence detector, and is electronically connected to said first electronic circuit and adapted to be activated by a signal received from the presence sensor,

a radio frequency transmitter or transceiver device contained in or attached to the housing and electronically connected to the first electronic circuit and adapted to be activated by a signal received from the presence sensor; and

a power source or a connector for an external power source connected to the first electronic circuit;

wherein the first electronic circuit is adapted to control the presence sensor, and to control the interaction of the presence sensor with the light source and the wireless communication device;

(b) providing a hub device, said hub device comprising;

a second electronic circuit and a power source connected to said second electronic circuit;

a radiofrequency receiver or transceiver electronically connected to said second electronic circuit and adapted to receive radiofrequency transmissions from said radiofrequency transmitter or transceiver in or attached to said housing;

one or more indicator lights, each associated with a particular presence sensor module and electronically connected to said second electronic circuit and adapted to be activated in response to a signal from said second electronic circuit;

a vibrating device electronically connected to said second electronic surface and adapted to be activated in response to a signal from said second electronic circuit and

a short range wireless transmitter electronically connected to said second electronic circuit and adapted to transmit a wireless signal for a range of up to about 100 yards and adapted to be pairable to a pairable device selected from a cellular phone, smart phone, tablet, pad, pager, laptop, or watch;

wherein said second electronic circuit comprises a chip adapted to identify the presence detector module from which a transmission is received, to activate an indicator light, a vibratory mode, or both associated with the identified presence sensor module and to transmit a signal over the short range wireless transmitter to one or more paired devices including information received from said radiofrequency transmission.

31. A device for providing an alert of the presence of one or more animals comprising:

a housing;

a sensor located at least partially within said housing and operable over an arc of at least 300 degrees to detect the presence of one or more animals and connected to one or more processors executing software, wherein said sensor is configured to transmit a signal in response to the detection of one or more animals;

a notification device located at least partially within said housing and connected to at least one of said one or more processors and operable to receive a signal therefrom in response to a signal from said sensor, wherein said notification device does not illuminate a ground area underneath a detection zone of said sensor and wherein said notification device is operable to wirelessly transmit a signal to at least one user communication device at a location remote from said sensor and said notification device.

32. The device according to claim 31 wherein said at least one user communication device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a computer, a smart watch, a tablet, night vision goggles, a night vision scope, a night vision monocular or binoculars, or a scope.

33-1. The device according to claim 33 wherein said camera is operable to take still or moving images over an arc of 360 degrees.

35. The device according to claim 34 wherein said camera is operable to take still or moving images in response to a signal indicating that said sensor has detected the presence of one or more animals.

36. The device according to claim 35 further comprising non-volatile memory connected to said camera and operable to store still or moving images taken by said camera.