System to detect the presence of a queen bee in a hive

Abstract

The present invention is a system to detect the presence of a queen bee, in a hive. The first system includes an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag (secured to the queen) and a RFID detection device secured adjacent the hive opening that sends an output that indicates the presence or absence of the queen bee. In a second embodiment, a bit of metal (thin foil) can be secured to the queen by means of an adhesive, and a metal detector can be positioned by the hive opening to detect the metal, and send an output that indicates the presence or absence of the queen bee. In a third embodiment, one or more infrared cameras can be positioned adjacent the hive entrance, coupled with detection scanning software that can detect the difference between a drone, a worker and a queen bee, and indicate the presence or absence of the queen bee.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A description of the embodiments of the present invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments, which are shown in the drawings that form a part of the detailed specification. These drawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not to be used to improperly limit the scope of the invention (beyond that of the appended claims), which may have other equally effective and legally equivalent embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beehive illustrating a RFID detector and a queen bee with an RFID tag.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a beehive illustrating a metal detector and a queen bee with a bit of metal secured to her back.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a beehive illustrating at least one infrared camera and housing containing software to detect a queen bee that appears before the camera.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a remote receiver to receive signals from the beehive.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a handheld wand for detecting a queen bee having an RFID tag or a bit of metal.

FIG. 6 is a handheld wand having a built-in infrared camera that also includes software therein for detecting a queen bee.

Claims

1) A system to detect the presence or absence of a queen bee in a hive, comprising an RFID tag adapted to be secured to the queen, a detector for detecting the RFID tag when it is within range, and an output signal from the detector to indicate to the beekeeper the presence or absence of a queen bee in a hive.

2) The system of claim 1, wherein the output signal is connected to: a LED, whereby the LED is illuminated if the queen bee is not present and off if the queen bee is present; or a sound device, whereby the sound device is audible if the queen is not present and silent if the queen is present; or a vibration device, whereby a vibration is easily felt if the queen is not present and no vibration is felt if the queen is present.

3) The system of claim 1, further including a hand wand detector for detecting the location of a queen within the hive, if present, by detecting said RFID tag.

4) The system of claim 1, further including a receiving/sending unit for receiving a signal from said detector and for sending the output signal to a remote device.

5) A hive for honeybees comprising a hive body, a base upon which said hive body sits in such a manner as to create an opening into said hive, a cover to cover the hive body, and the system of claim 1, wherein said detector is position on the exterior of said hive body adjacent said opening.

6) A system to detect the presence or absence of a queen bee in a hive, comprising a bit of metal adapted to be secured to the queen, a detector for detecting the metal when it is within detection range, and an output signal from the detector to indicate to the beekeeper the presence or absence of a queen bee in a hive.

7) The system of claim 6, wherein the output signal is connected to: a LED, whereby the LED is illuminated if the queen bee is not present and off if the queen bee is present; or a sound device, whereby the sound device is audible if the queen is not present and silent if the queen is present; or a vibration device, whereby a vibration is easily felt if the queen is not present and no vibration is felt if the queen is present.

8) The system of claim 6, further including a hand wand detector for detecting the location of a queen within the hive, if present, by detecting the presence of metal.

9) The system of claim 6, further including a receiving/sending unit for receiving a signal from said detector and for sending the output signal to a remote device.

10) A hive for honeybees comprising a hive body, a base upon which said hive body sits in such a manner as to create an opening into said hive, a cover to cover the hive body, and the system of claim 6, wherein said detector is position on the exterior of said hive body adjacent said opening.

11) A system to detect the presence or absence of a queen bee in a hive, comprising at least one infrared camera for detecting the body heat and producing an image of a bee, detection software for comparing the image produced by said infrared camera to stored images of a queen bee, and an output signal from said detection software to indicate to the beekeeper the presence or absence of a queen bee in a hive.

12) The system of claim 11, wherein the output signal is connected to: a LED, whereby the LED is illuminated if the queen bee is not present and off if the queen bee is present; or a sound device, whereby the sound device is audible if the queen is not present and silent if the queen is present; or a vibration device, whereby a vibration is easily felt if the queen is not present and no vibration is felt if the queen is present.

13) The system of claim 11, further including a hand wand detector having an infrared camera for detecting the location of a queen within the hive, if present, by comparing the image created by the camera to stored image or images of a queen bee, and signaling the user when the images are the same or similar.

14) The system of claim 11, further including a receiving/sending unit for receiving a signal from said detector and for sending the output signal to a remote device.

15) A hive for honeybees comprising a hive body, a base upon which said hive body sits in such a manner as to create an opening into said hive, a cover to cover the hive body, and the system of claim 11, wherein said detection software is position on the exterior of said hive body.

16) A system for finding a queen bee within a hive, comprising an RFID tag adapted to be secured to a queen bee, and a hand held wand detector for locating said RFID tag, wherein said wand detector also includes a signal output that informs the user that said RFID has been located.

17) A system for finding a queen bee within a hive, comprising a bit of metal adapted to be secured to a queen bee, and a hand held wand detector for locating said bit of metal, wherein said wand detector also includes a signal output that informs the user that said bit of metal has been located.

18) A system for finding a queen bee in a hive, comprising a hand held wand detector, said wand detector includes at least one infrared camera and software having stored infrared images of a queen bee, said software having comparison ability to compare said stored images with the camera images and determining if there is a match, signaling the presents of a queen bee, said wand detector also includes a signal output that informs the user that said match has been detected and the queen bee has been located.