System and method for pest detection

• US 7,504,956 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2007
• Issued: 03/17/2009
• 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): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/876,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20080069401A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/384.2, 340/541, 340/573.3, 340/573.2, 340/578, 340/581, 340/582, 340/583, 340/584, 340/384.72, 340551-561, 340/505
• 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 camera configured to produce first and second digital images; and

a processor provided to said camera, said processor configured to examine said first and second digital images to detect a movement of one or more pests by determining movement of a pest-sized object in said first and second images, wherein said system is configured to suspend pest detection when motion is detected by a motion detector.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an illumination source configured to at least partially illuminate a field of view of said camera.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said illumination source comprises an infrared source.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said illumination source comprises an ultraviolet source.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a zoom feature controlled by said processor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a pan feature controlled by said processor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said camera by using wireless communication.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to count said one or more pests.

9. The system claim 1, wherein said camera is configured to identify said one or more pests at least in part by measuring a size of said pest in said first image.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said camera is configured to identify said one or more pests at least in part by measuring a size and movement track of said pest in said first and second images.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to distinguish between pests and humans at least in part by measuring a size of a moving object in said first and second image.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to operate at night.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a light sensor, and wherein said system is configured to operate during periods of relative darkness.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to operate during one or more specified time periods.

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

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

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

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

19. A system for detecting pests, comprising:

a camera configured to produce first and second digita1 images;

a processor provided to said camera, said processor configured to examine said first and second digital images to detect a movement of one or more pests by determining movement of a pest-sized object in said first and second images; and

a motion detector configured to detect motion from humans, and wherein said system is configured to operate during periods when motion is not detected.

20. A system for detecting pests, comprising:

a camera configured to produce first and second digital images;

a processor provided to said camera, said processor configured to examine said first and second digital images to detect a movement of one or more pests by determining movement of a pest-sized object in said first and second images, wherein said system is configured to suspend pest detection when a room light turns on.

21. A system for detecting pests, comprising:

a camera configured to produce first and second digital images; and

a processor provided to said camera, said processor configured to examine said first and second digital images to detect a movement of one or more pests by determining movement of a pest-sized object in said first and second images, wherein said camera is configured to send data when a specified pest detection count is exceeded.