SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PEST DETECTION

• US 20090002493A1
• Filed: 09/05/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nest Labs Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nest Labs Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US12/205,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20090002493A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/155
• 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;

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.