WO2009006646A1

WO2009006646A1 - Electrical fence monitoring system

Info

Publication number: WO2009006646A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2008/000046
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cornelius Johannes Engelbrecht
Original assignee: Nedsis Bv
Priority date: 2007-07-02
Filing date: 2008-06-05
Publication date: 2009-01-08

Abstract

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the sensor 12 is configured to sense the spectrum by sensing an input pulse entering the electrical fence energizer 14. As such, the sensor 12 may include a voltage transformer and/or a current transformer arranged in electrical communication with the input side 16 of the energizer 14, as shown.

Description

ELECTRICAL FENCE MONITORING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to an electrical fence monitoring system.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Electrical fences are known and widely applied in a variety of fields, such as security and agriculture. These fences are typically also connected to some type of alarm system, where an alarm is sounded when the fence is activated, i.e. an electrical circuit of the fence is completed to deliver a shock, or wires comprising the fence cut, or the like.

The Inventor has identified a shortcoming with the known systems, in that these alarms systems are unable to provide information about the type of disturbance which activates an alarm. The current invention seeks to propose a possible solution to the above problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical fence monitoring system which includes a sensor configured to sense a spectrum of an energy pulse injected onto an electrical fence by an energizer; and a processor configured to analyse the sensed spectrum in order to predict a particular occurrence according to predetermined spectra, wherein a particular spectrum is indicative of a specific occurrence.

The sensor may be configured to sense the spectrum by sensing an input pulse entering an electrical fence energizer. As such, the sensor may include a voltage transformer and/or a current transformer arranged in electrical communication with an input side of the energizer. Similarly, the sensor may be configured to sense the spectrum by sensing an output pulse exiting an electrical fence energizer. As such, the sensor may include a voltage transformer and/or a current transformer arranged in electrical communication with an output side of the energizer.

The sensor may be configured to sense the spectrum by sensing a proportional voltage waveform of the output pulse exiting the electrical fence energizer. Accordingly, the sensor may include a voltage divider circuit arranged between a live terminal and an earth terminal of the energizer.

It is to be appreciated that the sensor may include any suitable sensor configured to sense, detect or measure an analogue waveform of the energy pulse injected onto the fence by the energizer.

It is further to be appreciated that the spectrum of an energy pulse is inherently influenced by a number of variables of the electrical fence. These variables may include an impedance of the fence, a position of the fence, proximity of objects to the fence, type of object proximate the fence, etc. A specific occurrence may be classified according to the different variables of the fence.

The processor may be configured to analyse the sensed spectrum by executing a specific set of instructions. The specific set of instructions may include a neural network application, artificial intelligence applications, predictive software, and/or the like.

The processor may be configured to analyse the sensed spectrum by performing a Fourier transform or similar calculation on the spectrum. In addition, the processor may be configured to analyse the spectrum by comparing frequency components of the resultant Fourier transform to a predefined list of frequency components indicative of specific occurrences, or the like.

The processor may be configured to control the operation of the energizer according to the sensed spectrum, e.g. alter the pulse, raise an alarm, or the like. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of monitoring an electric fence, the method including at least the steps of:- sensing a spectrum of an energy pulse injected onto an electrical fence by an energizer; and - analysing the sensed spectrum in order to predict a particular occurrence according to predetermined spectra, wherein a particular spectrum is indicative of a specific occurrence.

The step of sensing may include sensing an input pulse entering an electrical fence energizer. The step of sensing may include sensing an output pulse exiting an electrical fence energizer.

The step of sensing may include sensing the spectrum by sensing a proportional voltage waveform of the output pulse exiting the electrical fence energizer.

The step of analysing may include analysing the sensed spectrum by a processor executing a specific set of instructions. The specific set of instructions may include a neural network application, artificial intelligence applications, predictive software, and/or the like.

The step of analyzing may be carried out by performing a Fourier transform or similar calculation on the spectrum. It may further include, analysing the spectrum by comparing frequency components of the resultant Fourier transform to a predefined list of frequency components indicative of specific occurrences.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 shows, in diagrammatic view, one embodiment of an electrical fence monitoring system, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows, in diagrammatic view, a further embodiment of the electrical fence monitoring system; and

Figure 3 shows, in diagrammatic view, a yet further embodiment of the electrical fence monitoring system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, an electrical fence monitoring system, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details.

Reference in this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

With reference now to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, the electrical fence monitoring system 10, as shown, includes a sensor 12 and a processor 20. The sensor 12 is configured to sense a spectrum of an energy pulse injected onto an electrical fence by an energizer 14. In the embodiment shown, the energizer 14 comprises a transformer having a lower voltage input side 16 with a higher voltage output side 18. The energizer 14 steps the input voltage up to a level designed to deter anyone from touching an electrical fence (not shown). The fence is generally connected to the output side 18.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the sensor 12 is configured to sense the spectrum by sensing an input pulse entering the electrical fence energizer 14. As such, the sensor 12 may include a voltage transformer and/or a current transformer arranged in electrical communication with the input side 16 of the energizer 14, as shown. Similarly, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the sensor 12 may be configured to sense the spectrum by sensing an output pulse exiting the electrical fence energizer 14. As such, the sensor 12 may include a voltage transformer and/or a current transformer arranged in electrical communication with the output side 18 of the energizer 14, as shown.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, the sensor 12 may be configured to sense the spectrum by sensing a proportional voltage waveform of the output pulse exiting the electrical fence energizer 14. Accordingly, the sensor 12 may include a voltage divider circuit 12 arranged between a live terminal and an earth terminal of the energizer 14.

It is to be appreciated that the sensor 12 may include any suitable sensor configured to sense, detect or measure an analogue waveform of the energy pulse injected onto the fence by the energizer 14.

It is further to be appreciated that the spectrum of an energy pulse is inherently influenced by a number of variables of the electrical fence. These variables may include an impedance of the fence, a position of the fence, proximity of objects to the fence, type of object proximate the fence, etc.

The processor 20 is configured to analyse the sensed spectrum in order to predict a particular occurrence according to predetermined spectra, wherein a particular spectrum is indicative of a specific occurrence.

The processor 20 is generally configured to analyse the sensed spectrum by executing a specific set of instructions. The specific set of instructions may include a neural network application, artificial intelligence applications, predictive software, and/or the like.

The processor 20 is typically configured to analyse the sensed spectrum by performing a Fourier transform or similar calculation on the spectrum. In addition, the processor 20 may also be configured to analyse the spectrum by comparing frequency components of the resultant Fourier transform to a predefined list of frequency components indicative of specific occurrences, or the like. As such, a specific occurrence may be classified according to the different variables of the fence, as explained above.

For example, the processor 20 may be configured with the predefined list of frequencies by measuring the spectrum sensed when a controlled occurrence takes place. These occurrences may include a person touching the electrical fence, or an object, like a ladder, being placed against the fence. Similarly, the occurrence may include someone cutting the fence, or placing an object, like a blanket, over the fence.

By these occurrences altering the waveform of the pulse injected onto the fence, it is possible to analyse these waveforms produced under these controlled conditions and to input this as reference into a neural network, or the like. In this manner, using predictive capabilities of a neural network, similar occurrences can be predicted when the system 10 is in use.

In addition, the processor 20 may be configured to control the operation of the energizer 14 according to the sensed spectrum, e.g. alter the pulse, raise and alarm, or the like. For example, if the system 10 senses that someone has placed a blanket over the fence, which raises an impedance value of the fence producing a particular waveform when the pulse is injected, the processor 20 can raise an alarm, or the like.

Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art that other modifications, variations, and possibilities of the invention are possible without departing from the broader spirit of the invention. Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention and hence forming part of the invention as herein described and/or exemplified. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense.

The Inventor regards it as an advantage that the system enables information to be gathered about conventional electrical fences by intelligently analysing the pulses injected onto such fences.

Claims

1. An electrical fence monitoring system including:- a sensor configured to sense a spectrum of an energy pulse injected onto an electrical fence by an energizer; and a processor configured to analyse the sensed spectrum in order to predict a particular occurrence according to predetermined spectra, wherein a particular spectrum is indicative of a specific occurrence.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to sense the spectrum by sensing an input pulse entering an electrical fence energizer.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensor includes a voltage transformer and/or a current transformer arranged in electrical communication with an input side of the energizer.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to sense the spectrum by sensing an output pulse exiting an electrical fence energizer.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sensor includes a voltage transformer and/or a current transformer arranged in electrical communication with an output side of the energizer.

6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor is configured to sense the spectrum by sensing a proportional voltage waveform of the output pulse exiting the electrical fence energizer.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sensor includes a voltage divider circuit arranged between a live terminal and an earth terminal of the energizer.

8. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor includes any suitable sensor configured to sense, detect or measure an analogue waveform of the energy pulse injected onto the fence by the energizer.

9. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is configured to analyse the sensed spectrum by executing a specific set of instructions.

10. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is configured to analyse the sensed spectrum by performing a Fourier transform on the spectrum.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to analyse the spectrum by comparing frequency components of the resultant

Fourier transform to a predefined list of frequency components indicative of specific occurrences.

12. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the energizer according to the sensed spectrum.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the energizer alters the pulse and/or raises an alarm when the processor has identified a particular spectrum.

14. A method of monitoring an electric fence, the method including at least the steps of:- sensing a spectrum of an energy pulse injected onto an electrical fence by an energizer; and - analysing the sensed spectrum in order to predict a particular occurrence according to predetermined spectra, wherein a particular spectrum is indicative of a specific occurrence.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of sensing includes sensing an input pulse entering an electrical fence energizer.

16. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of sensing includes sensing an output pulse exiting an electrical fence energizer.

17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the step of sensing includes sensing the spectrum by sensing a proportional voltage waveform of the output pulse exiting the electrical fence energizer.

18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the step of analysing includes analysing the sensed spectrum by a processor executing a specific set of instructions.

19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the step of analyzing is carried out by performing a Fourier transform or similar calculation on the spectrum.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the spectrum is analysed by comparing frequency components of the resultant Fourier transform to a predefined list of frequency components indicative of specific occurrences.

21. An electrical fence monitoring system according to the invention, as hereinbefore generally described.

22. An electrical fence monitoring system according to the invention, substantially as hereinbefore described or exemplified.

23. An electrical fence monitoring system as specifically described with reference to or as illustrated in any one of the accompanying drawings.

24. An electrical fence monitoring system including any new and inventive integer or combination of integers, substantially as herein described.

25. A method according to the invention for method of monitoring an electric fence substantially as hereinbefore described or exemplified.

26. A method of method of monitoring an electric fence including any new and inventive integer or combination of integers, substantially as herein described.