WO2017124129A1

WO2017124129A1 - Pest control assembly and method

Info

Publication number: WO2017124129A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/000295
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Tony COMFORT
Original assignee: Michael Comfort Pty Ltd Trading As Border Pest Control
Priority date: 2016-01-23
Filing date: 2016-08-24
Publication date: 2017-07-27

Abstract

A pest control assembly (10) comprises a drone (12) which in the embodiment is a hobby drone. The drone (12) is tethered via a cable (14) to a base station (16). The cable (14) provides continuous power for the drone (12) or for recharging the batteries of the drone (12). The assembly (10) further includes one or more movement sensors (20) which are mounted to detect movement generally in a monitored region (44) adjacent an area (30) to be protected from pests (40). The protected area (30) in the example is a window or door of a building (32). The building (32) for example can be a greenhouse, barn or house. The pests (40) in the example are birds. The movement sensors (20) are connected to a control means in the base station (16). In use, when the movement sensors (20) detect movement from an oncoming pest (40), such as a bird or insect, the control means will launch the drone (12) to fly in a pattern preferably fly for a specified period of 5 to 20 seconds, or longer, in a random or a pre-determined pattern. The control means can also be used to provide the drone with a different flying pattern each time it is operated.

Description

PEST CONTROL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD Field of the Invention

[I ] The present invention relates to a pest control assembly and method. Background of the Invention

[2] Pest birds are a massive problem worldwide. The static bird scaring models currently available work only for a short time until the birds realize there is no threat.

[3] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[5] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a pest control assembly comprising

a small unmanned aircraft;

at least one movement sensor for sensing movement within a monitored region; and; a control processor for receiving pest movement signal from the at least one movement sensor, the control processor adapted to operate the small unmanned aircraft to fly over an area for a predetermined period.

[6] Preferably, the small unmanned aircraft is a drone.

[7] Preferably, the assembly further comprises a base station on which the small unmanned aircraft rests when not flying.

[8] Preferably, the small unmanned aircraft is tethered via a cable to the base station.

[9] Preferably, the cable provides power to the small unmanned aircraft or for recharging batteries of the small unmanned aircraft.

[10] Alternatively, the base station acts as a battery charging base for the small unmanned aircraft.

[I I] Preferably, the cable is coiled or extendable/retractable via a coiling mechanism.

[12] Preferably, the small unmanned aircraft flies in a random pattern for the predetermined period. [13] Alternatively, the small unmanned aircraft flies in a fixed pattern for the predetermined period.

[14] Further alternatively, the control means operates the small unmanned aircraft to fly in a different flying pattern each time it is operated.

[15] Preferably, the predetermined period is 5 to 20 seconds.

[16] In another embodiment, the small unmanned aircraft has the appearance of a bird of prey.

[17] In another embodiment, the small unmanned aircraft is adapted to make a noise similar to a bird of prey.

[18] In another embodiment, the small unmanned aircraft has a built-in movement sensor that enables the small unmanned aircraft to follow a pest around an area.

[19] In another embodiment, the small unmanned aircraft includes lights thereon.

[20] In another embodiment, the base station is movable along a rail or wire around the area. In another embodiment, the assembly further comprises a scanner for scanning the monitored region for obstructions

[21] The present invention also provides a method of pest control, the method comprising: using at least one movement sensor to detect pest movement adjacent a protected area; and

operating a small unmanned aircraft to fly adjacent the protected area for a predetermined period via a control processor after receiving movement signal from the movement sensor.

[22] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[23] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[24] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a pest control assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention installed in use.

Description of Embodiments

[25] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. [26] Figure 1 shows a pest control assembly 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 10 comprises a drone 12 (formally known as a "Small Unmanned Aircraft System" and also called "microdrones") which in the embodiment is a hobby drone. The drone 12 in the embodiment is a quadcopter but other types of drones and drones of different sizes can be used, such as RC helicopters, tricopters, hexacopters and octocopters.

[27] The drone 12 is tethered via a cable 14 to a base station 16. The cable 14 provides continuous power for the drone 12 or for recharging the batteries of the drone 12 and is permanently attached to the drone 12. The base station 16 is a platform on which the drone 12 is based when not operating. The base station 16 can include a roof or can be under cover to protect the drone 12 during rain.

[28] Alternatively, the base station 16 can act as a battery charging base, for example via induction. In this embodiment, the cable 14 can be a normal non-charging cable and used only for tethering the drone 12.

[29] The cable 14 can be straight, coiled or extendable/retractable via a coiling mechanism. The cable 14 for example can be a micro tether that supplies power and data transfer. The drone 12 can include a video camera and/or a microphone.

[30] The assembly 10 further includes one or more movement sensors 20 which are mounted to detect movement generally in a monitored region 44 adjacent an area 30 to be protected from pests 40. The protected area 30 in the example is a window or door of a building 32. The building 32 for example can be a greenhouse, barn or house. The pests 40 in the example are birds. The movement sensors 20 can be mounted adjacent the protected area 30 or can be remote from the projected area 30. In either case, the movement sensors 20 in use are directed towards the region 44.

[31] The movement sensors 20 are connected to a control means in the base station 16. The control means can be a control processor which receives signals from the movement sensors 20. The control processor is connected to the drone 12 via the cable 14 to provide operation instructions to the drone 12.

[32] The base station 16 will be mounted above head height, with the sensors 20 disposed preferably over the top of the protected area 30 and directed towards the monitored region 44.

[33] In use, when the movement sensors 20 detect movement from an oncoming pest 40, such as a bird or insect, the control means will launch the drone 12 to fly in a pattern up to a distance away from the base station 16 equal to the length of the cable 14. The drone 12 will preferably fly for a specified period of 5 to 20 seconds, or longer, in a random or a pre- determined pattern. The control means can also be used to provide the drone with a different flying pattern each time it is operated. The propeller noise and movement of the drone 12 will intimidate and scare the pest 40 and urge the pest 40 to divert or stay away from the protected area 30. The pest control assembly 10 preferably includes a scanner which in one embodiment is a range finder that will measure the monitored region 44 for obstructions for the drone 12 to avoid. The scanner can be mounted on the drone 12 or the base 16.

[34] After flying in a pattern for the specified period, the drone 12 will return to the base station 16 and stops its propellers until ordered to fly again by the control means.

[35] The present embodiment thus provides a drone adapted to imitate a predatory bird and be triggered by movement sensors to launch when a pest bird approaches. The drone take offs automatically and flies in a pattern automatically as well. The drone can thus stay operational in the area without the need for a person to operate the drone or charge its batteries.

[36] The tether cable will prevent the drone from falling to the ground if something fails to reduce the chance of the falling drone causing injury to persons nearby. The cable can also be used to retract the drone. The battery for the drone can also be omitted and the tether can be used to supply constant power to the drone.

[37] The present invention thus provides an effect pest control which does not harm pest birds. The present invention can be used in situations where pests are prevalent, such as apartment balconies, cafes, plantations, and other areas.

[38] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. For example, the assembly can have two or more drones operable to fly in respective sectors, and additional sensors mounted away from the protected area.

[39] It is also possible to have the drone untethered. The drone can be programmed to return and land on the base station after its operating period.

[40] Low flying drones can also be used against ground pests such as rats.

[41 ] The drone can also be altered to have the appearance of a bird of prey. The drone can also be adapted to make a noise similar to a bird of prey. The drone can also have built-in movement sensors that enable will it to follow a pest bird around an area.

[42] The base station can be made movable along a rail or wire around the area. The drone can also be lit at night to scare nocturnal pest birds. In another embodiment, the region 44 can be the drone flying area, with the areas surrounding the region 44 being the monitored area. This will allow the pest control assembly to fly the drone within the region 44 after sensing movement signal outside the around the region 44, such that the pests avoid the regii and do not come close to the protected area 30.

Claims

Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A pest control assembly comprising:

a small unmanned aircraft;

at least one movement sensor for sensing movement within a monitored region; and a control processor for receiving pest movement signal from the at least one movement sensor, the control processor adapted to operate the small unmanned aircraft to fly over an area for a predetermined period.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the small unmanned aircraft is a drone.

3. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a base station on which the small unmanned aircraft rests when not flying.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the small unmanned aircraft is tethered via a cable to the base station.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the cable provides power to the small unmanned aircraft or for recharging batteries of the small unmanned aircraft.

6. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the base station acts as a battery charging base for the small unmanned aircraft.

7. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the cable is coiled or extendable/retractable via a coiling mechanism.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the small unmanned aircraft flies in a random pattern for the predetermined period.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the small unmanned aircraft flies in a fixed pattern for the predetermined period.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the control means operates the small unmanned aircraft to fly in a different flying pattern each time it is operated.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the predetermined period is 5 to 20 seconds.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the small unmanned aircraft has the appearance of a bird of prey.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the small unmanned aircraft is adapted to make a noise similar to a bird of prey.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the small unmanned aircraft has a built-in movement sensor that enables the small unmanned aircraft to follow a pest around an area.

15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the small unmanned aircraft includes lights thereon.

16. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the base station is movable along a rail or wire around the area.

17. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a scanner for scanning the monitored region for obstructions.

18. A method of pest control, the method comprising:

using at least one movement sensor to detect pest movement adjacent a protected area; and