Pest control apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. A pest control device, comprising:
- an electrical circuit;
a sensing member operable to detect one or more pests when electrically connected to the electrical circuit; and
a first connection member electrically coupled to the electrical circuit, the first connection member being comprised of an electrically conductive elastomeric compound, the first connection member being operable to electrically connect the sensing member to the electrical circuit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pest control system includes pest control devices installed about an area or building. These devices each include a bait member and a wireless communication circuit. The wireless 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. The wireless communication circuit can be configured in a first assembly for detecting the presence of one or more pests and a second assembly for delivering a pesticide once pests are detected. The assemblies are interchangeable within a pest control device housing. The wireless communication circuit is connected to a sensor having an electrically conductive element that can be comprised of a nonmetallic material, such as a carbon-based ink. One or more connection members electrically couple the wireless communication circuit and the sensor. These members are comprised of an electrically conductive, elastomeric compound, such as a carbon-filled silicone rubber.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A pest control device, comprising:
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an electrical circuit;
a sensing member operable to detect one or more pests when electrically connected to the electrical circuit; and
a first connection member electrically coupled to the electrical circuit, the first connection member being comprised of an electrically conductive elastomeric compound, the first connection member being operable to electrically connect the sensing member to the electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method, comprising:
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installing a pest control device including a wireless communication circuit electrically connected to a sensor;
detecting the presence of one or more pests with the sensor; and
reconfiguring the pest control device in response to said detecting, said reconfiguring including introducing a pesticide bait member into the pest control device and adjusting the position of the wireless communication circuit that remains assembled with the pest control device after said reconfiguring. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A pest control system, comprising:
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a housing;
a monitoring bait member;
a sensor;
a wireless communication circuit; and
a pesticide bait member;
wherein the monitoring bait member, the sensor, and the wireless communication circuit are operable to be arranged in a first assembly to be positioned in the housing to detect one or more pests, and the pesticide bait member and the wireless communication circuit are operable to be arranged in a second assembly different than the first assembly, the second assembly being positioned in the housing in place of the first assembly after detection of the one or more pests with the first assembly. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method, comprising:
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installing a pest control device including a wireless communication circuit electrically connected to a sensor;
detecting the presence of one or more pests with the sensor;
reconfiguring the pest control device in response to said detecting, said reconfiguring including introducing a pesticide bait member into the pest control device and adjusting the position of the wireless communication circuit;
locating the pest control device after said reconfiguring with a hand held interrogator. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification