Wildlife conditioning and suppression system

• US 6,407,670 B1
• Filed: 03/10/2000
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hans J. Dysarsz, Rhonda Lorraine Millikin
• Original Assignee: Hans J. Dysarsz, Rhonda Lorraine Millikin
• Inventors: Dysarsz, Hans J., Millikin, Rhonda Lorraine
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zerr, John W.
• Application Number:
  US09/523,047
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 119/713, 119/719, 119/721, 521/01, 43/59, 116/22.A, 116/137.R, 340/384.3, 340/541, 340/573.2, 367/139
• US Class Current: 340/573.2
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/02 Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals A01K15/04 takes precedence; Electric shock devices circuits therefor H03K3/537; Toys specially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/04 Devices for impeding movement; Devices for impeding passage through fencing , e.g. hobbles or the like; Anti-kicking devices impeding passage under fences A01K15/006
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 29/10 using light sources, e.g. lasers or flashing lights
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 29/16 using sound waves

Abstract

A wildlife conditioning and suppression system conditions wildlife to avoid a restricted area. The system relies on backing up predetermined and repeatable warning stimuli with real enforcement directed against the wildlife. In a preferred embodiment, a warning zone is defined around a protected area and predetermined sensory warning stimuli are produced each time wildlife enters the warning zone. If the wildlife enters the protected area, physical enforcement by means of a water cannon is used to eject the wildlife from the area. The wildlife is thereby conditioned to avoid the area by means of repeatable warning stimuli backed up with real enforcement.

Claims

1. A method of conditioning wildlife to refrain from entering a restricted area comprising:

defining the boundaries of said restricted area, and

upon each entry of wildlife into said restricted area;

first producing at least one predetermined stimulus which is perceptible to said wildlife;

if the wildlife commences egress from the restricted area after the production of said stimulus, discontinuing said stimulus;

if the wildlife fails to commence egress from the restricted area after the production of said stimulus, directing compelling enforcement against the wildlife.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein directing said compelling enforcement involves physical contact with the wildlife.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein said enforcement comprises the dispatch of a projectile toward the wildlife.

4. A method as in claim 3 wherein said stimulus comprises sensory stimulus in conjunction with visible targeting of a device for directing said compelling enforcement toward said wildlife.

5. A method as in claim 3 wherein said projectile comprises water and said water is dispatched using a water cannon.

6. A method as in claim 3 wherein said projectile comprises ice pellets.

7. A method as in claim 1 wherein said step of directing compelling enforcement is performed only after a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the production of said stimulus.

8. A method as in claim 1 wherein said step of directing compelling enforcement is performed after a time interval has elapsed since the production of said stimulus and the time interval is randomized after each successive entry of wildlife into said restricted area.

14. A method as in claims 1, 9 or 10 wherein said the execution of the method steps is controlled by a computer.

15. A method as in claim 1 wherein said compelling enforcement does not include physical contact but is perceptible and uncomfortable to the wildlife.

67. A method as in claim 1, 9, 16 or 36 wherein said method is implemented using a single threat dispenser comprising a water cannon.

68. A method as in claim 1, 9, 16 or 36 wherein said restricted area comprises a zone around mobile apparatus for producing said stimulus and a mobile threat dispenser.

9. A method of conditioning wildlife to refrain from entering a restricted area comprising:

defining the boundaries of said restricted area, and

upon each entry of wildlife into said restricted area;

first producing at least one predetermined sensory stimulus which is perceptible to said wildlife;

if the wildlife commences egress from the restricted area a predetermined time after the production of said stimulus, discontinuing said stimulus;

if the wildlife fails to commence egress from the restricted area after said predetermined time, directing compelling enforcement comprising physical contact against the wildlife.

10. A method as in claim 9 wherein said sensory stimulus comprises at least one of the following:

sound, light.

11. A method as in claim 10 wherein said enforcement comprises a water cannon.

12. A method as in claim 11 further comprising a sensor for detecting the ingress and egress of wildlife in the restricted area.

13. A method as in claim 12 wherein said sensor comprises radar.

51. A method as in claim 10, 21, 35 or 41 wherein said sound resembles the sounds created by approaching aircraft.

52. A method as in claim 10, 21, 35 or 41 wherein said light resembles the anti-collision lights of aircraft.

64. A method as in claim 10, 21, 35 or 41 wherein said sound resembles the sounds created by approaching aircraft.

65. A method as in claim 10, 21, 35 or 41 wherein said light resembles the anti-collision lights of aircraft.

16. A method of conditioning wildlife to refrain from entering a restricted area comprising, upon each encounter with wildlife in said restricted area:

first producing at least one predetermined stimulus which is perceptible to said wildlife;

if the wildlife commences egress from the restricted area after the production of said stimulus, discontinuing said stimulus;

if the wildlife fails to commence egress from the restricted area after the production of said stimulus, displaying a predetermined realizable threat directed to said wildlife;

if the wildlife commences egress from the restricted area after the display of said realizable threat, discontinuing said display;

if the wildlife fails to commence egress from the restricted area after the display of said realizable threat, realizing on said threat by directing compelling enforcement against the wildlife.

17. A method as in claim 16 wherein the display of a threat is of a nature that is innately recognized by the wildlife as a threat to be avoided.

18. A method as in claim 16 wherein said stimulus is of a nature that is not innately recognized by the wildlife as a threat to be avoided.

19. A method as in claim 16 wherein directing said enforcement comprises the dispatch of a projectile toward the wildlife.

20. A method as in claim 16 wherein said stimulus comprises sensory stimulus.

21. A method as in claim 20 wherein said sensory stimulus is selected from a class comprising sound and light.

22. A method as in claim 19 wherein said threat display comprises a targeting movement of means for dispatching said projectile.

23. A method as in claim 16 wherein said display comprises dispatching a spray of water in the direction of said wildlife, said spray not being calculated to reach the wildlife.

24. A method as in claim 23 wherein said enforcement comprises concentrating said spray of water into a focussed stream directed at the wildlife, said stream being calculated to reach the wildlife.

25. A method as in claim 23 wherein said display comprises both the targeting movement of said enforcement and the dispatch of a spray of water in the direction of the wildlife, said spray not being calculated to reach the wildlife.

26. A method as in claim 25 wherein said enforcement comprises concentrating said spray into a stream of water, said stream being calculated to reach said wildlife.

27. A method as in claim 16 wherein said step of directing compelling enforcement is performed only after a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the display of said threat.

28. A method as in claim 16 wherein said step of directing compelling enforcement is performed after a time interval has elapsed since the display of said threat and the time interval at each successive entry of wildlife into said restricted area is randomized.

29. A method as in claim 16 or 28 wherein said step of displaying said threat is performed only after a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the production of said stimulus.

30. A method as in claim 16 or 28 wherein said step of displaying said threat is performed after a time interval has elapsed since the display of said threat and the time interval at each successive entry of wildlife into said restricted area is randomized.

31. A method as in claim 16 wherein said compelling enforcement involves physical contact with the wildlife.

32. A method as in claim 16 wherein said enforcement comprises the dispatch of a projectile toward the wildlife, said stimulus comprises sensory stimulus, and said display of a threat comprises targeting movement of said enforcement.

33. A method as in claim 19 wherein said projectile comprises water and said enforcement comprises a water cannon.

34. A method as in claim 19 wherein said projectile comprises ice pellets.

35. A method as in claim 32 wherein said stimulus comprises sound or light, said projectile is water and said water is dispatched using a water cannon.

66. A method as in claims 16 or 36 wherein the method is implemented using a plurality of threat dispensers for displaying said threat and realizing on said threat, said plurality of threat dispensers spaced to provide effective coverage over the restricted area.

36. A method of conditioning wildlife to refrain from entering a restricted area comprising:

defining the boundaries of said restricted area;

defining a warning zone beyond said boundaries;

and upon each entry of a wildlife into said warning zone;

first producing at least one predetermined stimulus which is perceptible to said wildlife;

if the wildlife commences egress from the warning zone after the production of said stimulus, discontinuing said stimulus;

if the wildlife fails to commence egress from the warning zone after the production of said stimulus, displaying a predetermined realizable threat directed to said wildlife;

if the wildlife commences egress from the warning zone after the display of said realizable threat, discontinuing said display;

if the wildlife enters into said restricted area, realizing on said threat.

37. A method as in claim 36 wherein realizing on said threat involves physical contact with the wildlife.

38. A method as in claim 36 wherein realizing on said threat involves dispatching a projectile toward the wildlife.

39. A method as in claim 38 wherein said projectile is water.

40. A method as in claim 39 wherein said water is dispatched using a water cannon.

41. A method as in claim 36 wherein said stimulus comprises sound or light or both.

42. A method as in claim 38 wherein said projectile comprises ice pellets.

43. A method as in claim 36 wherein said displaying of a realizable threat comprises directing a spray of water in the direction of the wildlife, said spray not being calculated to reach the wildlife.

44. A method as in claim 43 wherein realizing on said threat comprises concentrating said spray into a stream of water directed at the wildlife and calculated to reach the wildlife.

45. A method as in claim 36 wherein the boundaries of said restricted area are randomly adjusted after each entry of wildlife into said warning zone.

46. A method as in claim 36 wherein the boundaries of said warning zone are randomly adjusted after each entry of wildlife into said warning zone.

47. A method as in claim 36 and further comprising a sensor for detecting the ingress and egress of wildlife in the restricted area.

48. A method as in claim 47 wherein said sensor comprises radar.

49. A method as in claims 36, 40 or 47 wherein said the execution of the method steps is controlled by a computer.

50. A method as in claim 36 wherein said step of realizing on said threat does not include physical contact but is perceptible and uncomfortable to the wildlife.

53. A method of conditioning wildlife to refrain from entering a restricted area comprising:

defining the boundaries of said restricted area;

defining a warning zone beyond said boundaries;

and upon each entry of a wildlife into said warning zone;

first producing at least one predetermined stimulus which is perceptible to said wildlife; and

if the wildlife commences egress from the warning zone after the production of said stimulus, discontinuing said stimulus; and

if the wildlife enters into said restricted area, the directing compelling enforcement against the wildlife wherein directing compelling enforcement involves physical contact with the wildlife.

54. A method of conditioning wildlife to refrain from entering a restricted area comprising:

defining the boundaries of said protected area;

defining a warning zone beyond said boundaries;

and upon each entry of an wildlife into said warning zone;

first producing at least one predetermined stimulus which is perceptible to said wildlife; and

if the wildlife commences egress from the warning zone after the production of said stimulus, discontinuing said stimulus; and

if the wildlife enters into said restricted area, directing compelling enforcement against the wildlife wherein the directing compelling enforcement comprises dispatching a projectile toward the wildlife.

55. A method as in claim 54 wherein said projectile is water.

56. A method as in claim 55 wherein said water is dispatched using a water cannon.

57. A method as in claim 54 wherein said projectile comprises ice pellets.

58. A method of conditioning wildlife to refrain from entering a restricted area comprising:

defining the boundaries of said restricted area;

defining a warning zone beyond said boundaries;

and upon each entry of an wildlife into said warning zone;

first producing at least one predetermined stimulus which is perceptible to said wildlife; and

if the wildlife commences egress from the warning zone after the production of said stimulus, discontinuing said stimulus; and

if the wildlife enters into said restricted area, directing compelling enforcement against the wildlife;

wherein said stimulus comprises directing a spray of water in the direction of the wildlife, said spray calculated to not reaching the wildlife.

59. A method of conditioning wildlife to refrain from entering a restricted area comprising:

defining the boundaries of said restricted area;

defining a warning zone beyond said boundaries;

and upon each entry of an wildlife into said warning zone;

first producing at least one predetermined stimulus which is perceptible to said wildlife; and

if the wildlife commences egress from the warning zone after the production of said stimulus, discontinuing said stimulus; and

if the wildlife enters into said restricted area, directing compelling enforcement against the wildlife;

wherein the boundaries of said restricted area are randomly adjusted after each entry of wildlife into said warning zone.

60. A method of conditioning wildlife to refrain from entering a restricted area comprising:

defining the boundaries of said restricted area;

defining a warning zone beyond said boundaries;

and upon each entry of an wildlife into said warning zone;

first producing at least one predetermined stimulus which is perceptible to said wildlife; and

if the wildlife commences egress from the warning zone after the production of said stimulus, discontinuing said stimulus; and

if the wildlife enters into said restricted area, directing compelling enforcement against the wildlife;

wherein the boundaries of said warning zone are randomly adjusted after each entry of wildlife into said warning zone.

61. A method of conditioning wildlife to refrain from entering a restricted area comprising:

defining the boundaries of said restricted area;

defining a warning zone beyond said boundaries;

and upon each entry of an wildlife into said warning zone;

first producing at least one predetermined stimulus which is perceptible to said wildlife; and

if the wildlife commences egress from the warning zone after the production of said stimulus, discontinuing said stimulus; and

if the wildlife enters into said restricted area, directing compelling enforcement against the wildlife;

and further comprising a sensor for detecting the ingress and egress of wildlife in the restricted area.

62. A method as in claim 61 wherein said sensor comprises radar.

63. A method as in claim 61 wherein execution of the method steps is controlled by a computer.