GB2618551A

GB2618551A - Cat flap with built-in prey detection and associated locking

Info

Publication number: GB2618551A
Application number: GB2206786.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rosinski Martin; Rosinski Tomasz; Rosinski Jarek
Original assignee: JR Dynamics Ltd
Current assignee: JR Dynamics Ltd
Priority date: 2022-05-09
Filing date: 2022-05-09
Publication date: 2023-11-15

Abstract

A cat flap with a camera 1a which is interfaced with an image processing module. The processing module utilises computer vision algorithms, or artificial neural networks to evaluate whether the cat is merely transiting, or is carrying prey, such as a dead mouse or bird and autonomously decide whether to permit or restrict entry (i.e. lock the cat flap if they are carrying an item). The apparatus may be interfaced with infrared LEDs 1b for night time imaging and may comprise of a display, such as a e-paper screen, for visualisation of information which may be of interest to the user. The apparatus contains a radio communications module, enabling the user to change configuration parameters and receive push notification photos or videos of cat transit, both with, and without prey, for example on a mobile phone.

Description

Cat flap with built-in prey detection and associated locking

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cat flap (or cat door) with built-in prey detection. Through the use of a camera, together with Computer Vision Algorithms or Artificial Neural Networks, the cat flap (or cat door), can be automatically locked, thereby preventing entry with prey.

Background

Cats are predatory creatures which hunt a variety of small mammals (such as mice, rats, rabbits), reptiles (lizards), and birds. Some cats will bring their prey, dead or alive, into their home for consumption or as a gift to their owners.

A cat flap, or cat door, is typically installed by cat owners to enable a cat to enter and leave the house without human intervention.

As cats are typically nocturnal, prey is often brought into the house, through a cat flap or cat door during the night. This may result in the waking of the cat's owners or housemates to deal with the cat and/or prey, else leading to the requirement for an unpleasant clean-up task. Such tasks often involve cleaning of blood stains and remnants of prey. Occasionally, if the prey is alive, the prey may escape resulting in the householders having to chase and re-capture the animals. This can be distressing to the people involved and may be exacerbated by phobias.

Microchip cat flaps and cat doors have been widely deployed to enable automatic unlocking when an authorised cat is detected. This is typically done by reading a cat's unique RFID collar tag or implanted microchip, which are required by UK regulations and those of EU countries and most other territories. Cat flaps or cat doors may also feature user configurable entry and exit permissions; which may include time-based permissions.

Whilst there have been some hobbyist attempts at developing a cat flap with built-in prey detection, the approaches used within such projects have suffered from fundamental limitations and yielded inadequate results in terms of detection accuracy, significant delays in image processing, or imposing rigid constraints on the cat flap or cat door installation such as necessitating the construction of special ramps and/or tunnels. As a result, to date, there have been no off-the-shelf cat flaps or cat doors designed to prevent entry of cats carrying prey.

The locking mechanism for cat flaps and doors typically consists of either a: a) manual latch (rotary or linear), b) motor-driven latch -consisting of gears, a cam and return spring; or c) solenoid. In the case of the electronic mechanisms (eg. the aforementioned (b) and (c)), these may generate mechanical noise which can be unnerving to cats, leading to the requirement for familiarisation training.

It is the aim of embodiments of the invention to address these drawbacks.

Summary of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cat flap (or cat door) with built-in prey detection and associated locking/unlocking. Detection of prey is achieved using a camera which is interfaced with an image processing module. The processing module utilises Computer Vision Algorithms, or Artificial Neural Networks to evaluate whether the cat is merely transiting, or is carrying prey. Such processing has been optimised using a novel image processing technique to enable near instantaneous evaluation and locking/unlocking of the flap.

It should be noted that cat flap may also be a cat door.

Optionally, the said cat flap comprises of a camera.

Optionally, the said camera may be an infrared or thermal camera.

Optionally, the said cat flap comprises of one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to improve image quality at night.

Optionally, the said LEDs may be infrared LEDs.

Optionally, the said camera may be interfaced with an image processing module.

Optionally, the said image processing module may reside inside the cat flap housing.

Optionally, the cat's location may be detected using the said image processing module.

Optionally, the said cat flap contains a display for visualisation of cat location (eg. inside or outside) or other parameters of interest to the cat owner.

Optionally, the said display may be an E-Paper display.

Optionally, the said image processing module may comprise of a computer program comprising instructions which when implemented on a suitable computing device, controls the computing device to perform image classification tasks.

Optionally, the said image processing module may apply multiple transformations to the input image data.

Optionally, the said transformations may comprise of a plurality of matrix convolution calculations combined with a plurality of matrix rectification and summation calculations.

Optionally, the said image processing module may be arranged to produce one or more image classification outputs.

Optionally, the said image classification outputs may be arranged to provide a probabilistic estimate of the likelihood of the input image being that of a cat, a cat in transit, a cat with prey, and/or human activity.

Optionally, the said cat flap may comprise of a locking mechanism.

Optionally, the said locking mechanism may in fact consist of one or more separate locks.

Optionally, the said locking mechanisms may be independently operated, or simultaneously operated.

Optionally, the said locking mechanism may in fact be a motorised door opening mechanism.

Optionally, the said locking mechanism may comprise of a motor driven latch.

Optionally, the said cat flap locking mechanism may comprise of at least one electromagnet in conjunction with a magnetic locking bolt or catch which can be either repelled and/or attracted with said electromagnet in response to a supplied electrical current.

Optionally, the locking state of the cat flap may be changed, based on the image classification decisions made by the image processing module.

Optionally, the said cat flap may feature one or more radio frequency antennas for the detection of a cat using a unique RFID collar or implanted microchip.

Optionally, the said antenna may comprise of a coil of wire or electrical conductor tracks, positioned near the ingress and/or egress of the flap.

Optionally, the said cat flap may feature a method of detecting the presence of a cat's magnetic collar.

Optionally, the said locking mechanism may be controlled based on cross-referencing the outputs from the RFID, magnetic, and/or image processing module components.

Optionally, the said locking mechanism may be controlled to provide selective feline entry and egress permissions based on user-provided time criteria.

Optionally, the said cat flap may comprise of one or more passive IR sensors which may be used to detect motion and wake other electronic subcomponents.

Optionally, the said cat flap may comprise of one or more ambient path illumination LEDs.

Optionally, the said ambient path illumination LEDs may be turned on, off, or brightness adjusted based on the state of the said camera, image processing module, IR sensor, and/or RFID reader.

Optionally, the said cat flap may include a radio communications module.

Optionally, the said radio communications module could be a VVi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee module.

Optionally, the said cat flap may transmit the image sensor data, image processing module output data, and/or other sensor information to a remote computer server.

Optionally, the said cat flap may receive computer instructions, updated configurations, image processing module instructions and/or parameters from the said remote computer server.

Optionally, the said cat flap may feature a draft excluder.

Optionally, the said cat flap may contain an audible sounder.

Optionally, the cat flap electronics may be externally powered (mains powered via a transformer) or powered by batteries.

Optionally, the said cat flap may contain a capacitor or back-up battery to auto-unlock in the event of a power failure.

Optionally, the said cat flap functionality may be configured using a web application or App.

S

Optionally, the said App may instruct a computer server to send push notification alerts to a client computing device in conjunction with digital photos or video clips.

Optionally, the cat flap may utilise spring terminals for interconnection of electronic 10 subcomponents Optionally, the cat flap may be manufactured from an injection moulded plastic.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which:

S

Figure 1 provides a simplified flow chart diagram depicting the flow of information in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

Figure 2 provides a simplified line rendering diagram depicting the outside view of a cat flap with built-in prey detection in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

Figure 3 provides a simplified line rendering diagram depicting the inside view of a cat flap with built-in prey detection in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

Figure 4 provides a simplified line rendering diagram depicting the inside and underside view of the cap flap in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 provides a simplified flow chart depicting the flow of information of a cat flap with built-in prey detection in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

Figure 2 provides a simplified line rendering diagram, depicting the outside view of a cat flap with built-in prey detection in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

Figure 2 shows the cat flap with built-in prey detection comprising of a camera la, infra-red illumination LEDs lb, ambient path illumination LEDs lc, transparent flap 1d, and draft excluder 1e.

The camera la and infrared LEDs lb are positioned on the outside of the cat flap, facing vertically such that the field-of-view of said camera captures the underside of a transiting cat.

The ambient path illumination LEDs lc are positioned on the outside of the cat flap enabling the lighting of the path.

The transparent flap le contains a draft excluder around the outer perimeter such as to minimise the air gap for airflow between the inside and outside.

Figure 3 provides a simplified line rendering diagram, depicting the inside view of a cat flap with built-in prey detection in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

Figure 3 shows the cat flap with built-in prey detection comprising of a locking mechanism if and an E-paper display 1g.

Figure 4 provides a simplified line rendering diagram, depicting the inside and underside view of a cat flap with built-in prey detection in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

Figure 4 shows the cat flap with built-in prey detection comprising of an input connector for powering of the electronics lh.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cat flap (or cat door) with built-in prey detection and associated locking/unlocking. The said cat flap comprises of: -a camera which is interfaced with an image processing module, and -a locking mechanism (or motorised door opening mechanism) for said cat flap (or cat door) which is operated automatically based on the output signal given by the image processing module.
2. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, which utilises Computer Vision Algorithms, or Artificial Neural Networks to evaluate whether the cat is merely transiting, or carrying prey.
3. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, which may contain at least one LED (light emitting diode).
4. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 3, wherein the LED(s) may be an infrared LED.
5. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein the camera and image processing module reside inside the cat flap.
6. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein the cat's location is detected using the said image processing module
7. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, which comprises of a display for visualisation of cat location or other parameters of interest to the cat owner.
8. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 7, wherein the display is an E-Paper display.
9. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein the image processing module comprises of a computer program comprising instructions which when implemented on a suitable computing device, controls the computing device to perform image classification tasks.
10. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 9, wherein the image processing module may apply multiple transformations to the input image data.
11. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 10, wherein the transformations may comprise of a plurality of matrix convolution calculations combined with a plurality of matrix rectifications and summation calculations.
12. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 11, wherein the image processing module is arranged to produce one or more image classification outputs.
13. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 12, wherein the image classification outputs may be arranged to provide a probabilistic estimate of the likelihood of the input image being that of a cat, a cat in transit, a cat with prey, and/or human activity.
14. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism consists of two separate catches which may be used to prevent cat entry in a specific direction.
15. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises of at least one electromagnet in conjunction with a locking bolt or catch which can be either repelled and/or attracted with said electromagnet, directly or indirectly, in response to a supplied electrical current.
16. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, which comprises of one or more radio frequency antennas for the detection of a cat using a unique RFID collar or implanted microchip.
17. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 16, wherein the antenna comprises of a coil of wire/tracks positioned near the ingress and/or egress of the flap.
18. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism is controlled based on cross-referencing the outputs from the RFID, magnetic, and/or image processing module components.
19. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism can be controlled to provide selective feline entry and egress permissions based on user-provided time criteria.
20. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein passive IR sensors may be used to detect motion and wake other electric subcomponents.
21. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, which comprises of one or more ambient path illumination LEDs.
22. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 21, wherein the ambient path illumination LEDs may be controlled when the camera or passive IR sensor(s) detect motion.
23. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, which comprises of a radio communications module.
24. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 23, wherein the radio communications module is a WiFi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee module.
25. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 23, wherein the radio communications module may transmit image sensor data, image processing module output data, and/or other sensor information to a remote computer server.
26. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 23, wherein the radio communications module may facilitate firmware updates, updated configurations, image processing module instructions and/or parameters from a remote computer server.
27. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein the cat flap features a draft excluder.
28. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein the cat flap contains an audible 25 sounder.
29. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein the cat flap electronics are powered by external mains supply, or internal batteries.
30. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein the cat flap may utilise spring terminals for interconnection of the display, power supply, and/or radio frequency antennas.
31. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 29, which comprises of a capacitor or back-up battery to auto-unlock in the event of a power failure.
32. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 23, wherein the functionality of the electronics may be configured using a web application or App.
33. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 32, wherein the App may instruct a remote computer server to deliver push notification alerts including digital photos or video clips.
34. A cat flap (or door) according to claim 1, wherein the cat flap housing is manufactured from an injection moulded plastic.