Remote audio surveillance for detection and analysis of wildlife sounds

• US 8,457,962 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2006
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lawrence P. Jones
• Original Assignee: Lawrence P. Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Lawrence P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Desir, Pierre-Louis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Serrou, Abdelali
• Application Number:
  US11/499,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20070033010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,496 Days
• Field of Search: 704/E17.002, 704/270, 704/17.002, 704/E17.001, 704/221, 704/223, 704/243, 704/E17.005, 704/E17.007
• US Class Current: 704/243
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/00 Other apparatus for animal husbandry
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating

Abstract

This invention provides remote audio surveillance by recording audio data via three microphones and storage on a removable digital mass storage device, operating on battery power. The housing is of a weather resistant design to withstand outdoor conditions. Recording can be done in person or recording times can be defined so that the unit will only ‘listen’ during the desired times of the day, on a day to day basis. The user does not have to be in the vicinity but simply programs the record time(s) and leaves the device in the woods. The device also has play back capabilities for any recorded audio data and can interface with personal computers via the removable digital mass storage device. In addition to the audio collection and playback capabilities, PC software will be provided with the device which will analyze the data and provide direction of sound (based upon relative amplitude of the 3 microphones) and distance of sound (based on absolute and relative recorded amplitudes).

Claims

1. A device for remote audio surveillance for detection of wildlife sounds, comprising:

one or more batteries as a power source;

a microphone system for receiving audio input from a first sound source, said microphone system comprising;

first, second and third microphones, said first, second and third microphones being radially outwardly directed and angularly spaced apart substantially equidistant from each other on a horizontal plane substantially parallel to a ground surface;

said first microphone being adapted to receive first audio input data from said first sound source;

said second microphone being adapted to receive second audio input data from said first sound source;

said third microphone being adapted to receive third audio input data from said first sound source;

recorder member for recording said first, second and third audio input data;

means for amplifying and filtering said first, second and third audio input data;

means for storing amplified and filtered first audio input data on a removable digital mass storage device;

means for storing amplified and filtered second audio input data on a removable digital mass storage device;

means for storing amplified and filtered third audio input data on a removable digital mass storage device;

programmable clock means by which said recorder can be activated, thereby enabling unattended recording;

means to play back recorded audio;

a directionality analysis system for conducting a directionality analysis of a wildlife-generated recorded sound, wherein said directionality analysis system receives, with said first microphone, first wildlife audio input from a first wildlife sound source;

records, with said recorder member, said first wildlife audio input;

determines an amplitude corresponding to said first wildlife audio input;

receives, with said second microphone, second wildlife audio input from said first wildlife sound source;

records, with said recorder member, said second wildlife audio input;

determines an amplitude corresponding to said second wildlife audio input;

receives, with said third microphone, third wildlife audio input from said first wildlife sound source;

records, with said recorder member, said third wildlife audio input;

determines an amplitude corresponding to said third wildlife audio input;

determines which, among said amplitude of said first wildlife audio input and said amplitude of said second wildlife audio input and said amplitude of said third wildlife audio input, is the greatest amplitude;

identifies as being the closest to said first wildlife sound source, a microphone among said first, second and third microphones that received wildlife audio input corresponding to said greatest amplitude where referenced microphones are aligned on a horizontal plane;

a distance analysis system for conducting a distance analysis of said wildlife-generated recorded sound, wherein said distance analysis system identifies the absolute magnitude of said greatest amplitude; and

calibrates a distance from said device to said first wildlife sound source based on said absolute magnitude, and on weather and seasonal conditions in the vicinity of the device;

wherein said first, second and third microphones are each recessed into a housing.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said directionality analysis system and said distance analysis system derive flight patterns.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said directionality analysis system and said distance analysis system derive roost sites.

4. A method for remote audio surveillance for detection of wildlife sounds, comprising the steps of:

providing one or more batteries as a power source;

providing a microphone system for receiving audio input from a first sound source, said microphone system comprising;

first, second and third microphones, said first, second and third microphones being radially outwardly directed and angularly spaced apart substantially equidistant from each other on a horizontal plane substantially parallel to a ground surface;

said first microphone being adapted to receive first audio input data from said first sound source;

said second microphone being adapted to receive second audio input data from said first sound source;

recording said first, second and third audio input data wherein said recording is activated via a programmable clock, thereby enabling unattended recording;

amplifying and filtering said first, second and third audio input data;

storing amplified and filtered first audio input data on a removable digital mass storage device;

storing amplified and filtered second audio input data on a removable digital mass storage device;

storing amplified and filtered third audio input data on a removable digital mass storage device;

playing back recorded audio;

conducting a directionality analysis of a wildlife-generated recorded sound, wherein said directionality analysis comprises the steps of;

receiving, with said first microphone, a first wildlife audio input from a first wildlife sound source;

recording, with said recorder member, said first wildlife audio input;

determining an amplitude corresponding to said first wildlife audio input;

receiving, with said second microphone, second wildlife audio input from said first wildlife sound source;

recording, with said recorder member, said second wildlife audio input;

determining an amplitude corresponding to said second wildlife audio input;

receiving, with said third microphone, third wildlife audio input from said first wildlife sound source;

recording, with said recorder member, said third wildlife audio input;

determining an amplitude corresponding to said third wildlife audio input;

determining which, among said amplitude of said first wildlife audio input and said amplitude of said second wildlife audio input and said amplitude of said third wildlife audio input, is the greatest amplitude;

identifying as being the closest to said first wildlife sound source, a microphone among said first, second and third microphones that received wildlife audio input corresponding to said greatest amplitude where referenced microphones are aligned on a horizontal plane;

conducting a distance analysis of said wildlife-generated recorded sound, wherein said distance analysis comprises the steps of;

identifying the absolute magnitude of said greatest amplitude;

calibrating a distance from said device to said first wildlife sound source based on said absolute magnitude, and on weather and seasonal conditions in the vicinity of the device; and

providing a housing wherein said first, second and third microphones are each recessed into said housing.

5. The method according to claim 4, and further comprising:

from said directionality analysis of a wildlife-generated recorded sound and said distance analysis of said wildlife-generated recorded sound, deriving flight patterns.

6. The method according to claim 4, and further comprising:

from said directionality analysis of a wildlife-generated recorded sound and said distance analysis of said wildlife-generated recorded sound, deriving roost sites.