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EP3958675A1 - Appareil, boîte à appâts de rats et procédé de détection, de surveillance et/ou de régulation d'activité de rats - Google Patents

Appareil, boîte à appâts de rats et procédé de détection, de surveillance et/ou de régulation d'activité de rats

Info

Publication number
EP3958675A1
EP3958675A1 EP20795523.8A EP20795523A EP3958675A1 EP 3958675 A1 EP3958675 A1 EP 3958675A1 EP 20795523 A EP20795523 A EP 20795523A EP 3958675 A1 EP3958675 A1 EP 3958675A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rat
inner space
processor
sensor
load signals
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP20795523.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3958675A4 (fr
Inventor
Torben Redder
Claus VIRMER
Nicolai LUNDGAARD
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sensora Aps
Original Assignee
Sensora Aps
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sensora Aps filed Critical Sensora Aps
Publication of EP3958675A1 publication Critical patent/EP3958675A1/fr
Publication of EP3958675A4 publication Critical patent/EP3958675A4/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
    • A01M31/00—Hunting appliances
    • A01M31/02—Shooting stands
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
    • A01M25/00—Devices for dispensing poison for animals
    • A01M25/002—Bait holders, i.e. stationary devices for holding poisonous bait at the disposal of the animal
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
    • A01M23/00—Traps for animals
    • A01M23/16—Box traps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
    • A01M25/00—Devices for dispensing poison for animals
    • A01M25/002—Bait holders, i.e. stationary devices for holding poisonous bait at the disposal of the animal
    • A01M25/004—Bait stations, i.e. boxes completely enclosing the bait and provided with animal entrances
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
    • A01M31/00—Hunting appliances
    • A01M31/002—Detecting animals in a given area

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates generally to detection, monitoring, and control of rat activity in a certain area using sensor- based technology and Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
  • IoT Internet of Things
  • bait stations holding e.g. poison and/or traps for controlling rodent pest activity, particularly rat activity and mouse activity.
  • operating and maintaining a pest control system comprising bait stations often requires significant labor with a lot of time and money spent on periodically inspecting the bait stations to check e.g. the bait status or, in case traps are used, whether a rat or mouse has been trapped.
  • Pest control systems covering e.g. industrial production facilities may comprise multiple bait stations positioned in and around the facilities. Routinely inspecting the bait stations is time-consuming since workers must locate, inspect, and document the status of each bait station. Often, there are no pests in the traps, or even in the facility, yet costs are incurred for checking the traps.
  • Rodenticides are applied as biocides in various use scenarios, for example in and around buildings and industrial facilities, in sewers, at waste dumps, and in open areas. Often, rodenticides are formulated as baits and placed in bait stations to protect the surroundings from direct exposure. However, even when placed in bait stations, rodenticides still pose a potential risk to humans, animals, and the environment, e.g. through secondary poisoning of non-target animals such as predatory birds and mammals. Further, in certain industrial settings, e.g. in the case of food processing plants, the use of poison is undesirable .
  • rat bait boxes without poison are to be placed in an area where the presence of rats is suspected and only after determining that rats have entered the box(es) or after otherwise observing rat activity, poison can be used in the rat bait box(es) .
  • an operator will have to revisit the rat bait box at regular intervals, to determine whether or not rats have entered the box.
  • the need to manually inspect the rat bait boxes which are often geographically widely dispersed creates logistic challenges and results in operators having to travel substantial distances, thereby using substantial amounts of time and resources.
  • W02007/068971 discloses a rat bait box having a housing closing off an inner space for receiving a rat.
  • the housing is provided with an opening suitable to allow a rat to enter the inner space.
  • the trap comprises a processor and a floor forming the bottom of the inner space.
  • the floor comprises pressure pads for detecting presence of a rat on the floor and for triggering the rat trap. When the presence of a rat is detected on the floor, the inner space is closed off and extermination means are activated to exterminate the rat.
  • GB2472124 discloses an animal trap alerting system, comprising attachment means for attaching the relevant modules to a humane animal trap. Sensors are provided which when triggered by animal movement activate the transmitter unit. The transmitter unit sends a signal to a receiver unit which produces an alert. The system can have a sleep mode that saves power and can be programmed to provide status alerts .
  • WO2018199737 discloses a detection apparatus comprising at least a sensing means for obtaining data, at least a data- processing means for receiving and storing data from the sensing means, at least a data-transmitting means connected to the data processing means, and at least a data-receiving means for receiving and storing data transmitted from the data transmitting means.
  • the detection apparatus is preferably used within a pest or rodent trap and the sensing means is a weight sensor that is capable of obtaining data by means of weight.
  • an apparatus for placing in a rat bait box having a housing closing off an inner space for receiving a rat and bait, the housing being provided with an opening suitable to allow a rat to enter the inner space, the apparatus comprising :
  • the floor having a sensor that can be activated and deactivated
  • the processor having at least a sleep mode and an operating mode
  • the floor being connected to the sensor and the sensor being configured to issue one or more load signals representative of the magnitude of a load or weight on the floor to the processor
  • the processor being configured to receive the one or more load signals from the sensor,
  • - detection means configured to detect entry of a rat into the inner space
  • the detection means being configured to send an activation signal to the processor upon detection of entry of a rat into the inner space
  • - the processor being configured to change, for at least a predetermined time span, from the sleep mode to the operating mode upon receiving the activation signal from the detection means, and the processor is configured to activate the sensor upon changing to the operating mode.
  • an apparatus for placing in an existing rat bait box which apparatus comprises detection means enabling the apparatus to be activated when the detection means detects entry of one or more objects, e.g. a rat, into the inner space of the rat bait box and a sensor for issuing one or more load signals representative of the load or weight on the floor forming the bottom of the inner space, it becomes possible to determine the presence of a rat in the rat bait box and to issue an alert which can e.g. be sent to a remote server about the presence of a rat in the rat bait box.
  • detection means enabling the apparatus to be activated when the detection means detects entry of one or more objects, e.g. a rat, into the inner space of the rat bait box and a sensor for issuing one or more load signals representative of the load or weight on the floor forming the bottom of the inner space
  • the inventors have realized how to achieve automated and differentiated real-time detection, monitoring, and control of rat activity in an area of interest and immediate response upon detection of pest activity using sensor technology installed in one or more rat bait boxes distributed in the area of interest and using IoT technology. Automated and digitized inspection of the one or more rat bait boxes is achieved. Further, activity occurring in the one or more rat bait boxes is immediately determined and identified and can be responded to immediately. Particularly, different kinds of activity occurring in the inner space of the one or more rat bait boxes are identified and distinguished between based on collected load signals. The different kinds of activity may be e.g. due to a rat, a mouse, a frog, a snail, snow or leaves blown into the one or more rat bait boxes, etc.
  • the collected load signals are representative of the load or weight on the floor forming the bottom of the inner space of the one or more rat bait boxes. Owing to the capability of identifying and distinguishing between different kinds of activity, the risk of false alarm is reduced, and the need for human inspection of the one or more rat bait boxes is minimized, thus saving man-hours and costs. Further, the inventors have realized how to render their solution for detecting, monitoring, controlling, and responding to rat activity low in energy consumption by allowing the processor configured to receive and process the load signals to change between a sleep mode and an operating mode depending on the circumstances.
  • the apparatus disclosed herein is for placing in a rat bait box. That is, the apparatus can be inserted into and operated in an existing rat bait box, which rat bait box may be a conventional rat bait box. Thus, the apparatus can be used in a plug-and-play fashion.
  • the effect of the processor activating the sensor upon changing to the operating mode is that the sensor is activated after detection of entry of a rat into the inner space.
  • the sensor is activated for collecting and issuing load signals. Before activation, the sensor may be in a sleep mode or may be powered off, thus saving energy. Thus, energy consumption is saved both by deactivating the sensor and by moving the processor into sleep mode, when no rat has been detected in the inner space.
  • the detection means can be a photocell or other similar device that uses relatively little power.
  • the processor and the sensor that indicates the magnitude of the weight on the floor both use comparatively much power.
  • the low energy consumption detection means can be used to wake up the processor and thereupon the processor activates the sensor.
  • the processor is configured to change to sleep mode after a delay during which no signal from the detection means indicating entry or presence of a rat has been detected in the inner space.
  • the sleep mode is a default mode of the processor.
  • the processor is configured to change to the sleep mode after the predetermined time span has elapsed.
  • the effect hereof is that energy is saved.
  • the change to sleep mode may occur e.g. after a fixed max time or when no activity is detected any longer in the inner space by the detection means or the sensor .
  • the processor is configured to change to the sleep mode when the detection means and/or the sensor detects that there is no rat activity in the inner space.
  • the effect hereof is that the processor may enter the sleep mode before the predetermined time span has expired, thus saving battery energy .
  • the apparatus comprises a battery for powering the sensor, the processor, and the detection means.
  • the detection means comprises a motion sensor, preferably at least one of a PIR sensor, an IR sensor, a vibration switch, an accelerometer, a gravity sensor, and a gyro sensor.
  • a motion sensor preferably at least one of a PIR sensor, an IR sensor, a vibration switch, an accelerometer, a gravity sensor, and a gyro sensor.
  • the apparatus comprises a GPS module and/or a tamper sensor.
  • the effect hereof is that the apparatus, and thus the rat box in which the apparatus is placed, can be located.
  • the exact location of the rat bait box, and thus the location of the detected activity can be determined.
  • the rat bait box may be provided with other means for identifying and locating the rat bait box, e.g. a barcode, a near-field communication chip (NFC), Bluetooth, etc.
  • the senor comprises a load cell, e.g. a strain gauge load cell.
  • a load cell e.g. a strain gauge load cell.
  • load cells representative of the load or weight of the one or more objects on the floor can be issued.
  • load changes on the floor can be determined.
  • the floor for forming the bottom of the inner space is suspended or at least partially suspended.
  • the bait is a poisonous bait or a non-poisonous bait.
  • the one or more load signals are representative of the weight of one or more objects on the floor, for example, a rat, a mouse, a snail, a frog, leaves, snow, bait, and/or a trap with or without catch.
  • the processor is configured to record the one or more load signals .
  • the processor is configured to determine from the one or more load signals whether the one or more load signals are indicative of a rat being or having been present on the floor.
  • the effect hereof is that the presence of a rat in the inner space at a given time can be determined.
  • the processor is configured to determine from consecutive load signals whether the consecutive load signals are indicative of a living rat or a dead rat on the floor.
  • the effect hereof is that the rat, particularly its behavior and activity, can be studied over time. Further, it can be determined whether a dead rat is occupying the inner space and, thus, whether there is a need for removing a dead rat from the inner space.
  • the processor is configured to determine from consecutive load signals whether the consecutive load signals are indicative of a trapped rat on the floor.
  • the effect hereof is that the status of a trap placed on the floor in the inner space of the rat bait box can be determined. Thus, it can be determined whether there is a need for removing a trapped rat from the trap .
  • the processor is configured to determine a reduction in weight of the bait based on consecutive load signals.
  • the effect hereof is that the status of the bait can be determined.
  • the apparatus comprises radio frequency (RF) communication means coupled to the processor.
  • RF radio frequency
  • the processor is wirelessly connected with a remote server via the RF communication means, the remote server is preferably a network server, most preferably a cloud server.
  • the processor may be wirelessly connected with the remote server via a wireless network further comprising a base station and a back-end server, which network is a network allowing for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity.
  • the network may be any IoT network.
  • the remote server is wirelessly connected with a user device.
  • the effect hereof is that the user device and the remote server can be communicatively connected.
  • a user e.g. a customer, provider, or pest control company, can access the remote server through the user device.
  • the user device may further be wirelessly connected with the back-end server.
  • the processor is configured to wirelessly communicate one or more load signals received from the sensor to the remote server for storing and/or processing of the one or more load signals, said one or more load signals preferably receiving a timestamp after transmittal of said one or more load signals from said processor.
  • the processor may be configured to wirelessly communicate the one or more load signals to the remote server in real-time.
  • the one or more load signals preferably each receive a timestamp when the one or more load signals are wirelessly transmitted from the processor to the remote server.
  • the one or more load signals each receive a timestamp when the one or more load signals are wirelessly transmitted from the processor via the back-end server to the remote server.
  • the time-stamping of each of the one or more load signals takes place when the one or more load signals are received by the back-end server.
  • the effect of wirelessly communicating (transmitting) the one or more load signals received by the processor from the sensor to the remote server is that the one or more load signals can be stored and/or processed on the remote server and can be accessed by a user having a user device which is wirelessly and communicatively connected with the remote server.
  • the one or more load signals transmitted to the remote server are processed on the remote server e.g. for determining whether the one or more load signals are indicative of a rat or other object such as e.g.
  • a mouse, a snail, a frog, leaves, snow, bait, etc. being or having been present on the floor, for determining whether the one or more load signals are indicative of a living rat or a dead rat on the floor, for determining the status of a trap placed on the floor in the inner space of the rat bait box, and/or for determining the status of bait placed on the floor in the inner space of the rat bait box.
  • the processor is configured to wirelessly transmit a message to the remote server when the presence of a rat on the floor has been determined. Further, the processor may be configured to wirelessly transmit a message to the remote server when the presence of another object, e.g. a mouse, on the floor has been determined.
  • another object e.g. a mouse
  • the processor is configured to wirelessly transmit one or more load signals to the remote server for determining based on the one or more load signals whether a reduction in weight of the bait has occurred.
  • the determinization can be carried out by the remote server.
  • the determinization is carried out by the processor in the rat bait box.
  • the processor has a receive mode for receiving, for a predefined period of time, a signal from the remote server after the message has been transmitted to the remote server.
  • the processor is configured to receive an instruction signal from the remote server after transmitting the message to the remote server .
  • a rat bait box comprising the apparatus according to the first aspect or any implementation thereof.
  • the rat bait box comprises a lockable lid or door, the lid or door providing access to the inner space for removing or placing bait and/or a trap and/or for removing a dead rat.
  • the bait may be poisonous or non-poisonous .
  • the rat bait box comprises means for preventing inadvertent access into the inner space through the opening, the means for preventing inadvertent access preferably comprising plates forming a labyrinth.
  • the effect hereof is to protect the inner space from the surroundings.
  • the rat bait box is one of a plurality of rat bait boxes, wherein the plurality of rat bait boxes are wirelessly connected to a common remote server for storing and/or processing of one or more load signals transmitted from one or more of the rat bait boxes of the plurality of rat bait boxes, the remote server preferably being a network server, most preferably a cloud server.
  • a method of at least one of detecting, monitoring, controlling rat activity, placing poisonous or non-poisonous bait, and placing a trap comprising: detecting entry of a rat into an inner space in a rat bait box by detection means configured to detect entry of a rat into the inner space, the inner space being an inner space for receiving a rat and bait in the rat bait box, the inner space being formed by a housing of the rat bait box; sending an activation signal from said detection means to a processor in the rat bait box upon detecting entry of a rat into the inner space; issuing one or more load signals representative of the magnitude of a load or weight on a floor forming the bottom of the inner space, the one or more load signals being issued from a sensor connected to the floor; receiving and recording the one or more load signals from the sensor; processing the one or more load signals by processing means and determining from the one or more load signals whether a rat is or was present on the floor.
  • the floor forming the bottom of the inner space is suspended or at least partially suspended.
  • the method comprises changing, for at least a predetermined time span, from a sleep mode of the processor to an operating mode of the processor upon the processor receiving the activation signal .
  • the method comprises changing to the sleep mode after the predetermined time span has elapsed or when no activity is detected in the inner space.
  • the method comprises activating the sensor connected to the floor upon changing the processor changing to the operating mode.
  • the method comprises placing a poisonous bait or a trap in the inner space and/or in the inner space of a nearby rat box after determining from the one or more load signals that a rat has been present on the floor.
  • the method comprises placing a poisonous or nonpoisonous bait in the inner space after determining from the one or more load signals a reduction in weight of a bait on the floor.
  • the method comprises determining from consecutive load signals whether the consecutive load signals are indicative of a living rat or a dead rat on the floor.
  • the method comprises determining from consecutive load signals whether the consecutive load signals are indicative of a rat trapped in a trap on the floor.
  • the method comprises determining from the one or more load signals whether the one or more load signals are representative of a rat, a mouse, a snail, a frog, leaves, snow, bait, a trap, and/or other objects on the floor.
  • the method comprises transmitting a time-stamped message to a remote server via a wireless network, the message containing information about at least one of a load signal, entry of a rat into the inner space, reduction in weight of a poisonous or nonpoisonous bait on the floor, and location of the rat bait box.
  • the method comprises wirelessly communicating one or more load signals received from the sensor to a remote server for storing and/or processing of the one or more load signals, the remote server being preferably a network server, most preferably a cloud server.
  • the method comprises associating a timestamp with the one or more load signals after transmission of said one or more load signals from said processor. In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises wirelessly accessing the remote server from a user device.
  • the method comprises wirelessly transmitting a message to the remote server when the presence of a rat on the floor has been determined.
  • the method comprises wirelessly transmitting one or more load signals to the remote server for determining based on the one or more load signals whether a reduction in weight of the bait has occurred.
  • the determinization can be carried out by the remote server. In a possible implementation, the determinization is carried out by the processor in the rat bait box.
  • the method comprises receiving an instruction signal from the remote server after the message has been transmitted to the remote server.
  • the method comprises determining whether the rat bait box is clogged, e.g. by snow or leaves. Further, the method may comprise determining e.g. whether the rat bait box has changed position, whether the rat bait box has been tampered with, whether the battery powering the sensor, the detection means, and/or the processor is low.
  • an apparatus for placing in a rat bait box the rat bait box having a housing closing off an inner space for receiving a rat and bait, the housing being provided with an opening suitable to allow a rat to enter the inner space, the apparatus comprising
  • the processor having at least a sleep mode and an operating mode
  • the floor being connected to the sensor and the sensor being configured to issue one or more load signals representative of the magnitude of a load or weight on the floor to the processor
  • the processor being configured to receive the one or more load signals from the sensor
  • - detection means configured to detect entry of a rat into the inner space, the detection means being configured to send an activation signal to the processor upon detection of entry of a rat into the inner space
  • the processor being configured to change, for at least a predetermined time span, from the sleep mode to the operating mode upon receiving the activation signal from the detection means.
  • the sensor has an active state and an inactive state, and wherein the and the processor is configured to activate the sensor upon changing to the operating mode.
  • the processor is configured to deactivate the sensor upon the processor changing to sleep mode.
  • a method of at least one of detecting, monitoring, controlling rat activity, placing poisonous or non-poisonous bait, and placing a trap comprising: detecting entry of a rat into an inner space in a rat bait box, the inner space being an inner space for receiving a rat and bait in the rat bait box, the inner space being formed by a housing of the rat bait box; sending an activation signal to a processor in the rat bait box upon detecting entry of a rat into the inner space; issuing one or more load signals representative of the magnitude of a load or weight on a floor forming the bottom of the inner space, the one or more load signals being issued from a sensor connected to the floor; receiving and recording the one or more load signals from the sensor; processing the one or more load signals and determining from the one or more load signals whether a rat is or was present
  • Fig. 1 is a top view of a rat bait box with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment
  • Fig. 2 is a side view of the rat bait box of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a top view of a rat bait box with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment ;
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of the rat bait box of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 is a top view of a rat bait box with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment ;
  • Fig. 6 is a side view of the rat bait box of Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic representation showing the components of an apparatus placed in an exemplary rat bait box, the interaction between the components of the apparatus, and the interaction between the components of the apparatus, a cloud server, and a user device in accordance with another embodiment ;
  • Fig. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for detecting, determining, and controlling rats.
  • Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a wireless network of rat bait boxes, base stations, a cloud server, and user devices in accordance with another embodiment.
  • the apparatus and method described herein allow for automated and differentiated real-time detection, monitoring, and control of rat activity in an area of interest and for immediate response upon detection of pest activity using sensor technology installed in one or more rat bait boxes distributed in the area of interest and using IoT technology. Different kinds of activity occurring in the inner space of the one or more rat bait boxes are identified and distinguished between based on load signals.
  • Fig. 1 is a top view of a rat bait box 101 with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment
  • Fig. 2 is a side view of the rat bait box 101 of Fig. 1.
  • the rat bait box 101 has a housing 108 closing off an inner space for receiving a rat and bait, which housing 108 is provided with at least one opening 106 shaped and sized to allow a rat to enter the inner space.
  • the rat bait box 101 comprises an apparatus placed in the rat bait box 101, which apparatus comprises an arrangement comprising a floor 102 for forming the bottom of the inner space.
  • the floor is connected to a sensor 103.
  • the sensor 103 is in an embodiment a load cell configured to issue one or more load signals representative of a load or weight on the floor 102.
  • the apparatus comprises a processor 109.
  • the processor 109 has at least a sleep mode and an operating mode and is configured to receive the one or more load signals from the sensor 103.
  • the apparatus comprises detection means 111 configured to detect entry of a rat into the inner space.
  • the detection means 111 are configured to send an activation signal to the processor 109 upon detection of entry of a rat or other animal, such as e.g. mice, into the inner space.
  • the processor 109 changes, for at least a predetermined time span, from the sleep mode to the operating mode.
  • the apparatus is provided in the form of an insert inserted into the rat bait box 101 (in another embodiment, not shown, the apparatus is an integral part of a rat bait box) .
  • the apparatus can be used in a plug-and-play fashion by inserting the apparatus into the rat bait box 101 and by, thereafter, operating the apparatus in the rat bait box 101.
  • the apparatus can be retrofitted to existing rat bait boxes 101.
  • the floor 102 for forming the bottom of the inner space is suspended and is removable from the rat bait box 101.
  • Suspension means 104, 105 in the form of bottom legs 105 and a top leg 104 for suspending the floor 102 are shown.
  • the bottoms legs 105 and the top leg 104 stabilize the floor 102.
  • the bottom legs 105 and the top leg 104 may be provided in the form of an aluminum profile that is stiff enough to not bend under load on the floor 102.
  • the rat bait box comprises a possibly lockable lid 110 or door, which lid 110 or door provides access to the inner space for removing or placing bait and/or a trap and/or for removing a dead rat. Further, means for preventing inadvertent access into the inner space through the openings 106 are provided.
  • the means for preventing inadvertent access into the inner space are provided in the form of vertical plates 107 on the removable, suspended floor 102, which vertical plates 107 form walls extending vertically from the floor 102.
  • the vertical plates 107 are arranged to form a labyrinth .
  • Fig. 3 is a top view of a rat bait box 101 with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of the rat bait box 101 of Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 5 is a top view of a rat bait box 101 with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment
  • Fig. 6 is a side view of the rat bait box 101 of Fig. 5.
  • the means for preventing inadvertent access into the inner space are provided in the form of vertical plates 107 that are fixed to the housing of the rat bait box 101, which vertical plates 107 form walls extending from the housing of the rat bait box 101 and forming a labyrinth.
  • Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic representation showing the components of an apparatus placed in an exemplary rat bait box 101, the interaction between the components of the apparatus, and the interaction between the components of the apparatus, a cloud server 707, and a user device 708 in accordance with another embodiment .
  • the apparatus comprises a processor 109 that is connected to a transmitter 705 which in turn is connected to an antenna 706 for RF/wireless communication with a cloud server 707.
  • the processor 109 is further connected to a GPS module 704, to a battery 703, to detection means 702, to a tamper sensor 701, and to a load cell 103.
  • the GPS module 704 sends a signal to the processor 109 informing the possessor 109 of the position of the apparatus.
  • no GPS module 704 is provided in the rat bait box 101.
  • the GPS position of the rat bait box 101 is determined otherwise.
  • a user 709 present at the rat bait box 101 may determine the GPS position of the rat bait box 101 by using e.g. the GPS functionality of his mobile phone.
  • the determined GPS position is then transmitted wirelessly from the user's phone to the cloud server 707 for storage and/or processing.
  • the battery 703 supplies the processor 109 and the other electronic components with electrical power.
  • the detection means 702 detects entry of an object, for example a rat, into the inner space of the rat bait box 101 and thereby wakes up the processor 109 from a sleep mode.
  • the tamper sensor 701 detects unauthorized tampering with the rat bait box 101 and the apparatus and sends a signal to the processor 109 when a tampering event is detected.
  • the load cell 103 measures the weight on the floor 102 and transmits one or more load signals representative of the weight on the floor 102 to the processor 109.
  • the load cell 103 is powered when the processor 109 is in its active mode, and the load cell 103 is not powered when the processor 109 is in sleep mode.
  • a user device 708 is wirelessly connected to the cloud server 707.
  • a user or operator 709 may access the cloud server 707 wirelessly from the user device 708 which may be e.g. a personal computer.
  • the processor 109 is provided with a software that controls its functionality.
  • the processor 109 is configured to receive an interrupt from the detection means 702 when the detection means 702 detects activity of an object in the inner space. Upon receipt of the interrupt, the processor 109 changes from sleep mode to active mode and starts powering the load cell 103.
  • the processor 109 records the one or more load signals received from the load cell 103.
  • the processor 109 transmits the one or more load signals to the cloud server 707 for determining whether the one or more load signals indicate a weight that corresponds to the presence of a rat.
  • the one or more load signals are associated with other information stored on the cloud server 707, e.g. information about the position of the rat bait box 101.
  • the cloud server 707 is configured to alert the user device 708 of a user or operator 709 when the presence of a rat has been determined based on the one or more load signals.
  • the user 709 can review the information on the cloud server 707 or on his user device 708 and take appropriate action, such as sending another operator to the rat bait box 101 concerned to place a poisonous bait in the rat bait box 101.
  • Fig. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for detecting, determining, and controlling rats.
  • the detection means 111 is allowed to detect entry of an object, e.g. a rat, into the inner space in a rat bait box 101 and to detect activity, particularly movement, of an object, e.g. a rat, in the inner space of a rat bait box 101.
  • the detection means 111 detects entry of an object into the inner space or activity in the inner space, step 801
  • the detection means 111 sends an activation signal to the processor 109, thereby activating the processor, step 802, i.e. the processor 109 changes from its sleep mode to its operating mode.
  • the activated processor 109 activates the load cell in step 803.
  • the load cell 103 Upon activation of the load cell 103, step 803, the load cell 103 issues one or more load signals representative of a load or weight on the floor 102 forming the bottom of the inner space, step 804.
  • the one or more load signals are received and recorded by the processor 109, and the one or more load signals are processed in order to determine from the one or more load signals whether the one or more load signals are indicative of the presence of a rat on the floor 102, step 805.
  • the one or more load signals are processed locally in the rat bait box 101 by the processor 109 in order to determine whether the one or more load signals are indicative of a rat being present or having been present on the floor 102.
  • the one or more load signals are processed externally on a remote server 707, e.g. a cloud server, for determining whether the one or more load signals are indicative of a rat being present or having been present on the floor 102.
  • a poisonous (or non-poisonous ) bait or a trap is placed in the inner space in the rat bait box 101 by an operator 709 after it has been determined from the one or more load signals that a rat has been present on the floor 102.
  • the poisonous or nonpoisonous bait or trap can also be placed in any rat bait box in the vicinity of the rat bait box where the presence of the rat has been determined, i.e. the determination of the presence of rats does not only encompass the inner space of the rat bait box concerned but also covers the close proximity, which includes at least a radius of approximately 5 to 25 meters.
  • poisonous bait or a trap may be placed in the inner space in the rat bait box 101 by an operator 709 only after it has been determined that multiple rats have been present on the floor 102.
  • the method Regardless whether action is taken by the operator 709, the method returns to the loop of detecting activity.
  • the processor 109 is configured to change to sleep mode after a predetermined time span has elapsed or when no activity is detected any longer in the inner space by the detection means 111.
  • Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a wireless network of rat bait boxes 101, base stations 902, a cloud server 707, and user devices 708 in accordance with another embodiment.
  • the rat bait boxes 101 form a plurality of rat bait boxes 101, which plurality of rat bait boxes 101 are wirelessly connected to a cloud server 707 through radio frequency (RF) means installed in each of the rat bait boxes 101, thus allowing for transfer of e.g. load signals from the rat bait boxes 101 to the cloud server 707 for storage and/or processing of the load signals and/or for allowing for transmittal of a message from one or more of the rat bait boxes 101 to the cloud server 707, e.g. indicating that a rat has been detected in the rat bait boxes 101 concerned.
  • RF radio frequency
  • the cloud server 707 is connected to a wireless and/or fixed network with user devices 708, thus allowing users 709 to access the load signals stored and/or processed in the cloud server 707 and allowing users 709 to be notified that a rat has been detected in one or more of the rat bait boxes 101.
  • the cloud server 707 is provided with software that is configured to control the logistics of operating the plurality of rat bait boxes 101.
  • the software on the cloud server 707 will be configured to issue information about activity detected in one or more rat bait boxes 101 of a plurality of rat bait boxes 101 to an operator 709 that is responsible for managing the plurality of rat bait boxes 101 concerned.
  • a computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems .
  • a suitable medium such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems .

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Insects & Arthropods (AREA)
  • Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil et un procédé en temps réel, automatisé et différencié, pour la détection, la surveillance et la régulation de l'activité de rats dans une zone d'intérêt et pour une réponse immédiate lors de la détection d'une activité de nuisibles à l'aide d'une technologie de capteurs installée dans une ou plusieurs boîtes à appâts de rats (101) réparties dans la zone d'intérêt et à l'aide d'une technologie d'IdO. Différents types d'activité se produisant dans l'espace interne de ladite ou desdites boîtes à appâts de rats (101) sont identifiés et différenciés entre eux sur la base de signaux de charge.
EP20795523.8A 2019-04-23 2020-04-20 Appareil, boîte à appâts de rats et procédé de détection, de surveillance et/ou de régulation d'activité de rats Pending EP3958675A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA201970245A DK180372B1 (en) 2019-04-23 2019-04-23 An apparatus and method for detecting, monitoring and/or controlling of rat activity
PCT/DK2020/050104 WO2020216421A1 (fr) 2019-04-23 2020-04-20 Appareil, boîte à appâts de rats et procédé de détection, de surveillance et/ou de régulation d'activité de rats

Publications (2)

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EP3958675A1 true EP3958675A1 (fr) 2022-03-02
EP3958675A4 EP3958675A4 (fr) 2023-02-01

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EP20795523.8A Pending EP3958675A4 (fr) 2019-04-23 2020-04-20 Appareil, boîte à appâts de rats et procédé de détection, de surveillance et/ou de régulation d'activité de rats

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EP (1) EP3958675A4 (fr)
DK (1) DK180372B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2020216421A1 (fr)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022246508A1 (fr) * 2021-05-24 2022-12-01 Pestrac Pty Ltd Dispositif de surveillance à distance pour animaux ou insectes
GR1010310B (el) * 2022-02-02 2022-09-28 Σπυριδων Παναγιωτη Γκεκας Συστημα ηλεκτρονικης παρακολουθησης παρασιτων

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0525268D0 (en) 2005-12-12 2006-01-18 Rentokil Initial Plc Rodent trap
US9015987B2 (en) * 2007-12-27 2015-04-28 New Frequency, Inc. Telemetry-enabled trap monitoring system
US8026822B2 (en) * 2008-09-09 2011-09-27 Dow Agrosciences Llc Networked pest control system
GB0912728D0 (en) 2009-07-22 2009-08-26 Cooper Daniel P A.T.A.S. (animal trap alerting system)
US9439412B2 (en) * 2012-01-10 2016-09-13 Richard Kittelson Motion activated non-lethal animal trap
US10629061B2 (en) * 2012-09-13 2020-04-21 IoT Box Systems LTD. Wireless pest management system and method
US20140300477A1 (en) * 2012-09-25 2014-10-09 Woodstream Corporation Wireless notification systems and methods for electronic rodent traps
US20140279600A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Mitchell Barry Chait Automated monitoring of pest traps in a distributed work environment
GB2521399B (en) * 2013-12-18 2016-11-16 Rentokil Initial Plc Bait station for pest control
WO2016028219A1 (fr) * 2014-08-22 2016-02-25 Industrial Rat Solutions Pte. Ltd Piège et procédé pour le faire fonctionner
US20180235205A1 (en) * 2014-11-04 2018-08-23 Dow Agrosciences Llc Pest control system and method of operating same
GB2550967A (en) * 2016-06-03 2017-12-06 Brandenburg (Uk) Ltd Sensing of objects
WO2018199737A1 (fr) 2017-04-27 2018-11-01 Lee Tuck Loong Appareil de détection

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Publication number Publication date
DK180372B1 (en) 2021-02-12
DK201970245A1 (en) 2020-12-04
WO2020216421A1 (fr) 2020-10-29
EP3958675A4 (fr) 2023-02-01

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