System and method for pest detection

• US 7,286,056 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2005
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/086,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20060215885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.2, 340/573.3, 340/578, 340/581, 340/582, 340/583, 340/384.2, 340/384.72, 340551-561, 340/541, 340/505, 250/221
• 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 31/002 Detecting animals in a given area

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting presence and movement of pests. Various embodiments of a pest detection system can be based on, for example, a beam-interrupt detector or a thermal imaging device. The beam-interrupt detection based system can provide functionalities such as counting of pests crossing a given beam. A plurality of such beams at different heights can also allow distinguishing different sized pests. The thermal imaging based detection system can provide functionalities such as tracking movement of pests. A recording can be triggered by detection of pest movement, thereby improving the efficiency of recording and reviewing information indicative of presence and movement of pests in a monitored area. Movement of pests can be monitored on a passive basis, or by providing a stimulus that induces movement.

Claims

1. A system for detecting pests, comprising:

a transmitter configured to produce an energy beam;

a first receiver configured to detect energy from said beam;

a processor provided to said first receiver, said processor configured to detect a presence of pests by determining when said energy beam is at least partially interrupted, said processor further configured to estimate an extent of pest infestation by counting a number of time said beam is at least partially interrupted during a desired time period wherein said system is configured to produce said energy beam during periods when motion is not detected by a motion detector.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first receiver is aligned with said beam.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said first receiver is configured to receive backscattered energy from said beam when said beam illuminates a pest.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said first receiver is configured to receive bistatic backscattered energy from said beam when said beam illuminates a pest.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said first receiver is battery-powered.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first transmitter is battery-powered.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said first transmitter.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said first transmitter by using wireless communication.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to receive data from said first receiver by using wireless communication.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said first receiver is provided at a first height, said system further comprising a second receiver provided at a second height.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said first transmitter comprises a laser.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said first transmitter produces said energy beam as a substantially continuous beam.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to produce said energy beam at night.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a light sensor, and wherein said system is configured to produce said energy beam during periods of relative darkness.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to produce said energy beam during one or more specified time periods.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to turn off said energy beam when a room light turns on.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to turn off said energy beam when motion is detected by said motion detector.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is configured to send data at regular intervals.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is configured to send data when a specified pest detection count is exceeded.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is configured to send data when at least a partial interruption of said beam is detected.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is configured to send data when a backscatter from said beam changes.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is configured to send data when interrogated by said processor.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein said camera is configured to produce an image from infrared light corresponding to pests as thermal sources.