Devices for sensing changes in environments proximate the devices, devices for sensing termites, and methods for sensing termites

• US 6,373,391 B1
• Filed: 08/12/1999
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Dando, Ross S., Tuttle, Mark E., Lake, Rickie C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Application Number:
  US09/373,457
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/870.16, 431/24, 431/321, 431/33, 424/84, 735/87, 738/657
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/026 combined with devices for monitoring insect presence, e.g. termites bait stations A01M1/2005; detecting other animals in a given area A01M31/002
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 2200/011 Crawling insects
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention includes a device for sensing a change in an environment proximate the device. The device comprises a planar loop of conductive material extending along a first plane. The conductive material comprises two ends and the loop is configured to be broken upon the change in the environment. The device further comprises a pair of prongs. A first of the pair of prongs extends from one of the two ends of the conductive material and a second of the pair of prongs extends from an other of the two ends of the conductive material. The first and second prongs extend along the first plane. Additionally, the device comprises a circuit support having circuitry supported thereby and a pair of orifices extending therethrough. The prongs extend through the orifices to electrically connect. the circuitry supported by the circuit support to the planar loop of material. In another aspect, the invention includes a device for sensing termites. In yet another aspect, the invention includes a method for sensing termites.

Claims

1. A device for sensing a change in an environment proximate the device, comprising:

a loop of conductive material comprising two ends, the loop being configured to be broken upon the change in the environment;

a pair of conductive extensions, a first of the pair of conductive extensions extending from one of the two ends of the conductive material and a second of the pair of extensions extending from an other of the two ends of the conductive material; and

a circuit support having circuitry supported thereby, the circuitry being along a plane, the extensions extending in a plane other than the plane of the circuitry and electrically connecting the circuitry supported by the circuit support to the loop of conductive material.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the plane in which the extensions extend is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the circuitry.

3. A device for sensing a change in an environment proximate the device, comprising:

a loop of conductive material comprising two ends, the loop being configured to be broken upon the change in the environment;

a pair of conductive extensions, a first of the pair of conductive extensions extending from one of the two ends of the conductive material and a second of the pair of extensions extending from an other of the two ends of the conductive material; and

a circuit support having circuitry supported thereby and orifices extending therethrough, the extensions extending through the orifices to electrically connect the circuitry supported by the circuit support to the loop of conductive material.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the circuitry supported by the circuit support comprises at least a portion of a transponder unit, and wherein a break in the loop of conductive material alters a signal transponded by the transponder unit.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein the change in the environment comprises insect infestation, and wherein the conductive loop is formed of a material that can be removed from the loop by the infesting insects.

6. The device of claim 3 wherein the loop is supported on a planar support member.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the planar support member comprises foam, wherein the change in the environment comprises insect infestation, and wherein the conductive loop is formed of a material that can be removed from the loop by the infesting insects.

8. A device for sensing a change in an environment proximate the device, comprising:

a planar loop of conductive material, the planar loop extending along a first plane, the conductive material comprising two ends, the loop being configured to be broken upon the change in the environment;

a pair of prongs, a first of the pair of prongs extending from one of the two ends of the conductive material and a second of the pair of prongs extending from an other of the two ends of the conductive material, the first and second prongs extending along the first plane; and

a circuit support having circuitry supported thereby and a pair of orifices extending therethrough, the prongs extending through the orifices to electrically connect the circuitry supported by the circuit support to the planar loop of material.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the circuitry supported by the circuit support comprises at least a portion of a transponder unit, and wherein a break in the conductive loop alters a signal transponded by the transponder unit.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the circuit support is planar and extends along a second plane, the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein the change in the environment comprises insect infestation, and wherein the conductive loop is formed of a material that can be removed from the loop by the infesting insects.

12. The device of claim 8 wherein the loop is supported on a planar support member.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the planar support member comprises foam, wherein the change in the environment comprises insect infestation, and wherein the conductive loop is formed of a material that can be removed from the loop by the infesting insects.

14. A device for sensing termites, comprising:

at least two wooden blocks;

a planar loop of conductive material between the wooden blocks, the planar loop extending along a first plane, the conductive material comprising two ends, the wooden blocks and planar loop of material forming a composite block having an outer periphery;

a pair of prongs, a first of the pair of prongs extending from one of the two ends of the conductive material and a second of the pair of prongs extending from an other of the two ends of the conductive material, the first and second prongs extending outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the composite block; and

a circuit board having circuitry supported thereby and a pair of orifices extending therethrough, the prongs extending through the orifices to electrically connect the circuitry supported by the circuit board to the planar loop of material.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the circuit board is adhered to the prongs with solder.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the circuit board is adhered to the prongs with solder and covered with an encapsulant.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein the circuit board rests on and against at least one of the wooden blocks.

18. The device of claim 14 wherein the circuit board rests on and against both of the wooden blocks.

19. The device of claim 14 wherein the circuitry supported by the circuit board comprises at least a portion of a transponder unit, and wherein a break in the conductive loop alters a signal transponded by the transponder unit.

20. The device of claim 14 wherein the circuitry supported by the circuit board comprises at least a portion of a transponder unit, and further comprising a loop antenna wrapped around the circuit board, electrically connected to the circuitry on the circuit board, and resting on the wooden blocks.

21. The device of claim 14 wherein the circuit board is planar and extends along a second plane, the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane.

22. The device of claim 14 wherein the conductive loop is formed of a material that can be removed from the loop by termites.

23. The device of claim 14 wherein the loop is supported on a planar support member.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein the planar support member comprises foam that can be removed by termites, and wherein the conductive loop is formed of a material that can be removed from the loop by termites.

25. The device of claim 14 further comprising at least one shelf on the wooden blocks and having a pair of orifices extending therethrough, the prongs extending through the orifices of the at least one shelf, and the circuit board being supported on the at least one shelf and separated from the outer periphery of the composite block by the at least one shelf.

26. The device of claim 14 further comprising:

a holder for holding the composite block, the holder comprising a pair of spaced shelves connected to one another with a pillar, the shelves being defined as a first shelf and a second shelf, the pillar being between the first and second wooden blocks, the first shelf being beneath the wooden blocks and the second shelf being above the wooden blocks, at least one of the shelves having a pair of orifices extending therethrough, the prongs extending through the orifices of the at least one shelf, and the circuit board being supported on the at least one shelf and separated from the outer periphery of the composite block by the at least one shelf.

27. The device of claim 26 wherein the top shelf comprises the orifices and wherein the circuit board is supported by the top shelf.

28. The device of claim 26 wherein the holder further comprises an extension protruding above the second shelf and configured to enable a person to lift the holder and composite block by the extension.

29. A method for sensing termites, comprising:

forming a sensing device, the forming comprising;

providing at least two wooden blocks;

providing a planar loop of conductive material between the wooden blocks, the planar loop extending along a first plane, the conductive material comprising two ends, the wooden blocks and planar loop of material forming a composite block, the composite block having an outer periphery, the conductive loop being formed of a material that can be removed from the loop by termites;

providing a pair of prongs, a first of the pair of prongs extending from one of the two ends of the conductive material and a second of the pair of prongs extending from an other of the two ends of the conductive material, the first and second prongs extending outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the composite block; and

providing a circuit board having circuitry supported thereby and a pair of orifices extending therethrough, the prongs extending through the orifices to electrically connect the circuitry supported by the circuit board to the planar loop of material, the circuitry supported by the circuit board comprising at least a portion of a transponder unit, and wherein a break in the conductive loop alters a signal transponded by the transponder unit;

placing the sensing device in the ground; and

monitoring the signal transponded by the transponder unit to determine if the conductive loop is broken.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the monitoring comprises interrogating the transponder to cause the signal to be passed from the transponder to the interrogator.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the monitoring comprises:

interrogating the transponder with an interrogator to cause the signal to be passed from the transponder to the interrogator;

determining if the signal passed to the interrogator indicates that the conductive loop is broken; and

if the signal indicates that the conductive loop is broken, removing the sensing device from the ground and ascertaining an amount of termite-inflicted damage to the sensing device.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

providing a receptacle for the sensing device within the ground;

placing the sensing device in the receptacle to place the device in the ground; and

removing the sensing device from the receptacle, while leaving the receptacle in the ground, to remove the sensing device from the ground.

33. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

providing a receptacle for the sensing device within the ground;

placing the sensing device in a holder, and inserting the holder and sensing device into the receptacle to place the device in the ground, the holder comprising a shelf beneath the sensing device and a band attached to the shelf and extending around the sensing device; and

lifting the band to remove the sensing device from the receptacle and thereby remove the sensing device from the ground.

34. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

providing a receptacle for the sensing device within the ground;

placing the sensing device in a holder, and inserting the holder and sensing device into the receptacle to place the device in the ground, the holder comprising a shelf beneath the sensing device and an extension which extends through the sensing device and terminates in a protrusion above the sensing device; and

lifting the protrusion to remove the sensing device from the receptacle and thereby remove the sensing device from the ground.

35. The method of claim 29 wherein the circuit board rests on and against at least one of the wooden blocks.

36. The method of claim 29 wherein the circuit board rests on and against both of the wooden blocks.

37. The method of claim 29 wherein the circuit board is planar and extends along a second plane, the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane.

38. The method of claim 29 wherein the conductive loop is supported on a planar support member, the planar support member comprising a material that can be removed by termites.

39. The method of claim 29 wherein the sensing device further comprises:

a holder for holding the composite block, the holder comprising a pair of spaced shelves connected to one another with a pillar, the shelves being defined as a first shelf and a second shelf, the pillar being between the first and second wooden blocks, the first shelf being beneath the wooden blocks and the second shelf being above the wooden blocks, at least one of the shelves having a pair of orifices extending therethrough, the prongs extending through the orifices of the at least one shelf, and the circuit board being supported on the at least one shelf and separated from the outer periphery of the composite block by the at least one shelf.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the top shelf comprises the orifices and wherein the circuit board is supported by the top shelf.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein the holder further comprises an extension protruding above the second shelf and configured to enable a person to lift the holder and composite block by the extension.