Patent Application
20240057584
The present invention relates generally to remote monitoring and control systems, and particularly to an app for hunting and fishing activities, which can be configured for remotely dispensing scents for attracting game and masking human scents.
Hunters and trappers commonly use scents for attracting game and masking human odors. Such scents are commonly applied in liquid and aerosol forms in and around hunting blinds, traps and scrapes. For example, doe urine can be applied for attracting bucks. Buck urine can also attract bucks, which commonly investigate areas where they suspect other bucks may be encroaching on their territories. Masking substances are typically used for neutralizing human odors, which can alert game animals to the past or present presence of humans, e.g., trappers and hunters.
Hunters and trappers typically spray and sprinkle game and masking scents manually, for example, around blinds in preparation for a hunt and in setting traps. However, such manual applications were time-consuming, wasteful of the scent and masking products and often alerted game animals to human presence. In an embodiment of the present invention, a scent distributing system can be provided using smart devices for controlling dispensers strategically placed in field locations frequently visited by game, e.g., around blinds and traps.
Other exemplary applications of the present invention include fishing activities, security monitoring and tracking movements of objects, individuals and animals. Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for providing sensory output and location monitoring with the advantages and features of the present invention. Moreover, the system can dispense animal repellents. For example, mace can be dispensed to repel bears.
This invention generally provides a system for distributing game-attracting and human-masking scents using smart communications devices. Moreover, game movement in the vicinity of scent dispensers can be monitored and recorded, e.g, for planning future hunts. Remotely-controlled scent dispensing devices can be strategically placed for maximum benefit. Various smart devices and sensors can be utilized and controlled with the system and method of the present invention. Moreover, usage of outputs, such as deer urine, can be optimized with sensors and dispensers.
The invention is a scent dispensing and monitoring unit that can be either tree mounted or pole mounted in the desired area. The system's primary purpose is to dispense a scent of choice at predetermined times selected by the user. For example, this can give a hunter the opportunity to figure out the pattern of the target animal and/or change the pattern of the target animal. This invention can provide hunters with the ability to release scents daily in target areas without human interaction. The continuous refreshing of scent, without the human presence, will allows hunters to draw target animals on-property at specific times, by periodically releasing the desired scents anytime throughout 24-hour daily cycles. Releasing small quantities of the desired scents can lure target animals to desired areas. The invention uses motion sensors and cameras to monitor the animals' patterns in the area of the system. Many animals use smells during certain times of the year to identify and locate the opposite sex for breeding purposes. Hunters and trappers commonly use scents for hunting and trapping.
Heretofore there have not been systems configured to enable hunters and trappers to release scents regularly on demand when desired in various times and locations, without human interaction in the designated area. Similar products like the drip bag release a scent constantly until the product is empty. This means the drip bag will also release scent in the desired hunting area during undesired times. The drip bag can also freeze causing it to not work properly. Products like the buck bomb is a one-time use only scent dispenser that the hunter has to be present for at the time of use. This means the hunter has to be present to use this product, and the hunter will not be able to maintain the fragrance without being present. There are also remote-control style products that release scent, but again the hunter has to be present and a certain distance from the dispenser to operate the product. Products like these only introduce a scent while the hunter is present. The present invention enables hunters to introduce and maintain a scent of their choosing without being in the area.
Cover scents are used by some hunters, but their main purpose is to mask hunter smells. By using present invention. Hunters and trappers will be able to introduce and maintain the desired fragrance of their choosing before and during the hunting season making the fragrance a normal odor to the target animal. Once the desired scent level is obtained, hunters can arrive in their hunting areas without alarming the target animals.
Scent-based hunting products currently available generally do not enable pre-scenting hunting areas with the advantages, features and effectiveness of the present invention. The present invention can provide hunters and trappers with the advantages of pre-scenting locations where game animals are likely to be encountered.
Because of the numerous locations and species to be hunted, the system will be equipped with a cellular modem for communication where practical, and an external satellite communication system if used in remote locations that do not have cell service. The system of present invention is adaptable worldwide.
A business model for commercializing the present invention would involve users paying monthly fees and usage fees, which can be charged for the communications links and portals that can be accessed by either a computer or a cell phone. The portal will allow the control of multiple devices and will store photos from the cameras as well as motion data, scent levels, battery levels, solar charging as sell as environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and light levels. The user can also manually dispense scent, set schedule for dispensing, adjust sensitivity of sensors and camera and manage captured images.
Because of the extreme environmental conditions the units may be subjected to, a heating system is designed into the unit to keep the scent tank, pump, plumbing and dispensing nozzle from freezing. This requires a large power source, so an external battery and solar array are utilized, these can be set on the ground and placed in a sunny location to recharge. The unit includes a small solar panel and Lithium-ion battery.
Based on an analysis of process needs, environmental conditions, power requirements, programmability, interface requirements and reliability, the combination of an ESP32 microcontroller and a Blues wireless notecard and note-carrier are currently considered acceptable for processors and exterior connectivity.
The extreme environmental conditions the unit is required to operate in required the addition of a thermal management system, including temperature and humidity sensors, along with ceramic thermal resistive heating elements powered by PWM adaptive control.
The system utilizes a passive infrared motion sensor array that is capable of measuring an object's temperature and a 5 mp camera to provide the photographic tracking and game count. A memory card is used to store and forward video images along with other data to the main server over cellular connectivity, along with near location communications with phone apps through Bluetooth low energy protocols.
A diaphragm pump is used to move small quantities of scent through a nozzle for dispersion. The pump is controlled by PWM signals from the microcontroller to dispense specific amounts at specific times. Software calculates the amount of scent liquid and notifies owner when refill of scent is needed.
The scent dispenser can be controlled by both a wifi app on phone for local near proximity control and cellular app for remote operations and control. Communications protocols and encryption are handled within the device by the blues component. Communications are through a TCP packet protocol utilizing port 51122.
Software in the device is composed of a master control package written in C#running on the ESP and a communications management/security program running on blues wireless controller. The security protocol consists of a two-key encryption algorithm along with conventional tunneling VPN protocols.
During normal operations, the unit will directly communicate with the servers over cellular networks, where all parameters are stored, along with camera images and activity logs. During setup and close distance operations, the unit will transfer to wifi and directly connect to users' phone or tablet.
There are three major software modules used for the project, the first central application is the server side functions, where all data is stored. The second module is the mobile/web application that utilizes the server databases and business logic to create a similar but limited application to view and modify parameters of operation for the individual scent dispensers. The third module is the camera software that determines if a photo should be taken, the actual photographic capture and storing and forwarding of images. Basic parameters for each scent dispenser include type of scent, quantity of scent, schedule that includes time and amount of scent to dispense, motion sensitivity, camera images, schedule of times to communicate with server, number of local images stored, alert levels for battery voltage, scent low amount, excessive activity and excessive temperatures. Additional parameters include temperature set point for heaters (or 0 if no external battery attached), external battery alert triggers and Bluetooth activation alerts.
Onboard processing of temperature and humidity are used to calculate the intensity of the heating elements and duration of heat cycles by producing a PWM signal to control the heaters. The set point for heating can be adjusted for different environments and scent characteristics.
Conventional trail cameras and security cameras use passive infra-red (PIR) detectors to detect motion and trigger the camera to record an image or video. This technique works well if you are looking for any type of motion or minimal change in IR average levels to trigger the system, but especially for the hunter, this technique creates many “false positive images”. These “False positives” can be caused by a leaf, limb or piece of trash being blown by the wind, along with images because the sun comes out from behind clouds and the average IR value increases.
The present invention utilizes a grid of IR cells in a matrix looking at the same area as the visible light camera, each cell can be set to IR thresholds relating to temperature. This means only objects with a temperature within the range (for example 90-94 degrees Fahrenheit) will trigger the cell. Upon detection of a heat source within temperature range, the camera will activate the camera, check light levels and if they are below a certain level, will activate the IR flood array, it will then take one picture. The unit will then go back to sleep until the heat source moves to another cell of the array, indicating motion, and the camera will follow the above procedure and capture another image. This reduces the number of false triggers greatly.
To minimize the effect of sunlight or strong winds, the unit will take a reading of all of the IR sensors in the array, average the readings, and adjust the sensitivity of the IR sensors based on the overall average IR levels (the background average temperature).
In the current implementation of this technique, the view area is divided into 64 cells arranged in array of 8×8 cells. A trigger threshold is defined (the lowest body temperature of any selected animal type) and an interrupt is generated when any cell detects temperature above this threshold. The control processor for the system then retrieves the levels of each cell and determines if an image should be captured by the optical camera. This interrupt driven approach allows the system to go into a low power “sleep” state until an interrupt occurs, greatly reducing the power required by the system and allowing for the use of more power-hungry algorithmic computations to be made thus reducing the false triggers while allowing longer battery life. The images are then transmitted to the user via applicable media (Cellular, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Loran). This innovation greatly reduces the bandwidth required by reducing false images, lowers battery consumption, allows for more processor intensive algorithms to be used in the image screening process, along with the frustration of the user having to review numerous “empty images.”
The software contains a table of the body temperatures of common game animals, from which the user chooses one or more for the cameras triggering selection. If multiple animals are chosen, their body temperature ranges will be combined and used for camera triggering.
At preset times or when photo buffer reaches a set amount, the dispenser will power up the cellular modem and connect and send photos and IR activity logs along with temp and humidity logs to the server. While connected to the server, any updates to parameters will be also be downloaded. Once images are uploaded to the server, they will be ran through the object identifier algorithms and stored if a valid object is detected. The stored images are contained in a photo album style for review by user.
Other applications of the present invention include fishing activities and applications for audible output devices. Locations and movements of objects, animals and individuals can be monitored.
As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.
A system for dispensing sensory outputs and monitoring comprising an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The off-premise field components can include global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location components, including transmitters and receivers. A common GNSS system in the United States is the global positioning system (GPS), which is maintained by the U.S. Air Force. GPS satellite positioning signals are commonly used in many applications, including navigation worldwide, machine control and positioning with sub-centimeter precision. For example, many “smart” personal communications devices include GPS positioning capabilities.
On-premise components can connect to the off-premise field components via a fiber-optic main trunk 23 or other suitable connection. The on-premise components can include a commerce server 20, which can connect to firewall, router and security components 22 via a secure point-to-point virtual private network (VPN) 24, which in turn connects to a commerce server 26. The commerce server 26 can be configured to handle user subscription payments, and can securely retain credit and debit card information. Management, access and security can be provided at 28 and connect to a database server 30 connected to a web server 32 and an MQTT server 34, which can be configured for artificial intelligence (AI). An email and telecommunication server 38 is connected to the firewall router and security component 22.
The scent dispenser 12 can be powered by an electrical power source, such as a solar cell and/or a battery, which can be configured for remote, off-grid locations. In addition to the passive infrared sensor array and a camera 22, video devices, such as “Spy Cams,” can record and transmit images of nearby game animals, individuals and objects. Data storage and backup can include various digital devices, such as a Scan Disc (SD) memory card.
The system 10 accommodates remote control and operation of animal detection and tracking systems placed in the field. Hunters can interactively communicate with components of the system 10 and with each other. Game harvests can thus be optimized for individual hunters and groups using such information for effective planning and coordination. Safer hunting can also be achieved by providing more comprehensive intelligence on anticipated game animal movements and repetitive patterns of behavior.
Ambient atmospheric temperature and humidity can affect airborne scent dispersion. The central processor 12 can be preprogrammed to optimize such operating variables whereby game scents are dispersed efficiently for maximum effect. For hunting applications, multiple game animals can be attracted to predetermined locations at specific times. Game animal behavior patterns can thus be reinforced for achieving successful harvests, because hunters can reliably predict the animals' presence.
Other sensory outputs can be utilized with the system 10. For example, audible outputs, such as game calls, verbal communications and audible alarms can be utilized. Moreover, visual outputs, comprising lights and images can also be utilized. Combinations of such sensory outputs can be accommodated by the system and method of the present invention. For example, olfactory output, such as deer urine, can be combined with audible, game call output. Moreover, visible output, comprising lights, can be utilized for fishing activities. Animal repellents, such as mace for repelling bears, can also be dispensed.
Moreover, selectively operating the dispenser and the cameras can effectively conserve electrical power. For example, the system can be fully operational on days selected for hunting. Selective operation of the system can be timed to train the game animals to appear at predetermined times. Game harvests can thus be optimized.
Because of the numerous complications in communicating within a forested or rough terrain environment typically encountered during wildlife hunting, a very adaptive and self-healing type of communications network is required. Similar issues occur in urban environments where internet of things (IOT) sensors are deployed for numerous monitoring of the environment conditions including, air quality, traffic movement and congestion, energy management, security and many other applications.
Such networks of devices need to be able to autonomously add or remove nodes as well as be able to bridge to other communications media for long-range transmission of data. Because the devices are frequently located in valleys or nodes are separated by buildings or terrain with no line-of-sight available, this network allows the media bridges to be located on higher ground or in line-of-sight and devices to transmit to them, and thus on to the long-range networks such as cellular or satellite. The following system was designed to meet these requirements.
Data to be transmitted across this network include images captured by cameras, environmental data, motion triggers, scent dispenser logs, dispenser programming, network management, network setup, error messages and acknowledgments. Because of terrain, cellular service is many times unavailable in valleys. To facilitate users' communications, VOIP1 messaging is also supported.
Bridging to other physical communication infrastructures is provided for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Cellular, ethernet, fiber optic and similar methodologies using media bridges. Virtual communications protocols supported include, TCP\IP2, GSM3, NB/IOT4 and NetBIOS5. Other virtual protocols can be easily added through a virtual API6.
The implementation of the network consists of at least one media bridge device and one scent dispenser, wildlife camera or sensor unit. Additional dispensers and cameras can be added, along with bridging extenders.
The radio units used in this solution consist of the appropriate RF components and a small microcontroller to handle communication and security/encryption functions This microcontroller handles all the mesh network management and node management along with packet error handling. This microcontroller also provides the capability of 15 pins of digital i/o, 4 pins of analog input and 2 pins of analog output.
Table 1 shows possible pin use of the boards i/o pins:
The board is designed to provide this functionality without the need for an additional processor locally. This allows a sensor platform to consist of only the sensors and a radio module. The device can be programmed from the media bridge or remotely through the bridge. Once programmed, the radio unit can send sensor data inputs at preset intervals, and actuate outputs based on received data packets.
The 900 MHZ frequency band is used for network communications, with 64 channels available in the US. The network will automatically choose the channel to use based on interference/noise across the network's physical location. Nodes can be automatically added or removed from the network and signals will automatically reroute if a node becomes unavailable. If multiple bridge devices are available, the system will also automatically re-route all traffic if a bridge becomes unavailable.
To reduce power consumption and extend battery life, the network will go into a sleep mode if nothing is transmitting at the time, waking up automatically every 1 minute (or other predetermined interval) to transmit any data queued and then return to sleep. If real-time data such as VoIP1 communications are occurring, the sleep mode will be disabled until such streaming is complete. This sleep method will extend battery life by approximately 4000% during normal operations.
To reduce transmission errors, all transmissions of data and commands are handled through packets. Each packet includes the destination and source addresses, the packet type, packet length and a checksum for error detection. All packets are acknowledged for receipt by the destination and will be resent if no acknowledgement is received or a non-acknowledgement is received. The source unit will attempt to resend up to three times, at which time it will send a re-route command to all units and force a reset of routing bit. Routing is determined by the RSSI7. Each device will send a test signal when a reset command is received, and all units will determine RSSI7 for all units in its range. The units will also determine the best route to each media bridge based on RSSI7 and number of hops required. This allows the network of units to create a “mesh” of communication channels and determine the optimum transmission routes for each signal. Because intermittent transmission losses and spurious noise, this method allows the network to adjust for numerous environmental issues and equipment malfunctions. New devices can be added to the network by requesting a network reset.
Typical frame communication protocols rely on the start delimiter and length bytes to differentiate frames. If bytes in a packet are lost, the length count will be off, and the next API frame (packet) will also be lost. By utilizing escaped operation involving escaping character sequences in a frame, we can improve reliability, especially in noisy RF environments. The basic frame structure is the same as typical frame communications, but by using escaped mode, all bytes except for the start delimiter must be escaped if needed. The following data bytes must be escaped in this mode:
Escaped mode guarantees all the 0x7E bytes received are start delimiters: this character cannot be part of any of the other frame fields (length, data, or checksum) since it must be escaped.
To escape a character:
To escape a standard frame:
A2 00 40 AD 14 2E FF
The 0x13 byte must be escaped:
The preceding example shows the basic frame layout used. All frames will begin with a start delimiter of 0x7E, followed by a two-byte data length, then a frame type, followed by the actual data packet, and finally a checksum. The following frame types are currently defined in Table II:
All frames will be wrapped in a packet before transmitting which will include: packet start sequence: the following 4 bytes: 0x00, 0x0f, 0x05,0x0A (000000001111111101011010); packet number: an eight-byte identifier; sending node: a sixteen-byte number; destination node: a sixteen-byte number; originating node: a sixteen-byte number; hop number: a single byte; frame data; and the checksum of packet number, sending, destination and originating nodes.
This dual wrapping of data reduces system overhead, because only the wrapper must be decoded by bridge devices, while the frame is just forwarded intact with its error checking intact. Because of the nature of the mesh network, a single frame may be delivered to the destination over multiple routes, so logic is included to only process the first valid frame that arrives based on its packet number.
Frames can be uniquely identified by their packet number and origination node ID. These values are stored in registers by the radio and can be retrieved by firmware. The radio firmware handles most of the communication protocol automatically, including error management and retransmission of corrupted packets.
Tables III and IV describe the command frames:
In one embodiment of the solution, a network of cameras, scent dispensers and bridges are deployed in a wildlife environment to lure animals to certain locations. The dispensers are used to lure the specimens to the location and the cameras are used to record the outcome of the lure.
In a second embodiment of the solution, a network of sensor platforms is implemented in an environment to monitor specific environmental conditions such as air quality over a large area or traffic patterns.
A third embodiment of the solution is a network of cameras and sensors placed to provide security and monitoring of an area, possibly multi-building. Using the appropriate sensors and transducers, a real-time-tracking solution can be implemented and building automation system can be created with minimal programming necessary.
A fourth embodiment of the solution is any multi room building and/or multi building complex. Individual bridging extenders with appropriate sensors and actuators attached are placed in all rooms, communicating with a central computer possibly using artificial intelligence, to create a complex wide building automation, energy management, security, and access control system with high redundancy. Such a system including voice operated personal assistants can produce “smart technology” with interactive voice command and response, making a very easy to use system for the complexes residents.
It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.
This application claims priority in International Application No. PCT/US2022/011641, filed Jan. 7, 2022, which claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/134,675, filed Jan. 7, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/011641 | 1/7/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63134675 | Jan 2021 | US |
