Patent Application
20220079136
The invention lies in the field of rodent prevention.
Rodents, pests and other vermin attack fruit and vegetable plants, steal foods, leave unsightly waste and are generally unwanted visitors to many places. People resort to various methods to trap or kill them, or to prevent their arrival in the first place.
The invention is an electronic rodent repelling device that provides a constantly moving, flashing light display to prevent rodents from adapting to the environment of a fixed location, thus interfering with their foraging ability and enhancing the efficiency of driving them away.
Embodiments of the present technology will be described and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.
The drawings, some components and/or operations can be separated into different blocks or combined into a single block when discussing some embodiments of the present technology. Moreover, while the technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the technology to the particular embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the technology is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims.
The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts that are not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying embodiments.
The purpose of the terminology used herein is only for describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and other scientific terms or terminology used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and/or for ready reference, and the inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent a substantial difference over what is generally understood in the art. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in the patents, application, published applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this section prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.
Where context permits, words using singular or plural form may also include the plural or singular form, respectively. As used herein, “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.” As used herein, the term “user”, “subject”, “end-user” or the like is not limited to a specific entity or person. For example, the term “user” may refer to a person who uses the systems and methods described herein, and frequently may be a technician. However, this term is not limited to end users or technicians and thus encompasses a variety of persons or entities who can use the disclosed systems and methods.
The light module [2] is operable to oscillate or rotate such that it is continuously changing position, thereby changing the direction of the light emanating from light sources [21] and maximizing the disruption to rodents in the area. The light module [2] can rotate continuously, rotate back and forth at different intervals, oscillate back and forth around a fixed point, or any other form of movement. The movement of the light module [2] is limited to the plane of the one or more light sources [21] substantially within the plane parallel to the floor, so that light beams do remain within the selected angle minimizing disruption to human activity. The representative embodiment depicted in the drawings shows the light module [2] mounted on the top of a body [1] but the light module [2] may be a standalone device, or it can be integral with the body [1], mounted on the side of the body [1], mounted apart from the body [1], or positioned or integrated in other configurations.
Light sources [21] may emit light in any colors or frequencies without limitation. For example, ultraviolet light may be emitted. Focused ultraviolet rays can kill viruses brought on by the rodents, and at the same time may harm the retinas of the rodents, causing temporary blindness. The lights [21] may be operated to emit light at different speeds, such as in sudden, strobing flashes, or other intermittent speeds. Particularly when operated in the dark, the flashes of light can cause fast dilation and contraction of the rodents' pupils and thus temporary blindness, causing them to panic and flee the area. Using a microcontroller, light sources [21] may be programmed to each emit different colors at different patterns and speeds, maximizing confusion to the rodents. When strobes are followed by long-duration cycles, the rodents will stay out of the area.
The device may also comprise one or more speakers [5] capable of emitting sounds at multiple frequencies, including high frequencies and ultrasonic sound, i.e. frequencies from 10 KHz to 100 KHz. These may be two-in-one ultrasound and ordinary speakers. These sounds further frighten and confuse the rodents and cause them to flee. Speakers [5] may be located in various locations on the device. In the embodiment depicted in
Light sources [21] may be positioned around the entire perimeter of light module [2], such that light emanates in 360 degrees around the device. For instance, the light module [2] could be circular with light sources [21] placed around its perimeter. In the embodiment shown in
Light sources [21] emit light beams limited to a selected angle. Light sources may comprise spotlights in which light beams are limited to a selected angle and/or may comprise a convex lens to control the selected angle of the light beam. The selected angle may be any angle within 90 degrees.
The device may comprise additional operational elements such as informational lights [141] and buttons [142] for operating the device. For instance, the device may comprise a photosensitive sensing element [143] on the exterior of the device, such as a photosensitive resistor or photodiode so that the lights [21] switch off during daylight when the rodents are not active.
