GB2434070A

GB2434070A - An accoustic animal deterrent device

Info

Publication number: GB2434070A
Application number: GB0600549A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Charles Kitching
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-12
Filing date: 2006-01-12
Publication date: 2007-07-18
Also published as: GB0600549D0

Abstract

An acoustic deterrent device comprising an audio memory device 1, an amplifier 4, a loudspeaker 5 and a battery 7, all housed in a portable water resistant box. The audio memory device allows the recordings to be made by the user. A connector 9 allows the battery to be recharged as necessary. The device may be triggered by one or more sensors which may be sound, light, mechanical or infra red detectors. The sensors may be connected to the device by cable or by radio signals. In use, the device may be triggered to produce a sound to deter or disperse nuisance birds or other animals.

Description

ACOUSTIC DETERRENT DEVICE

The invention relates to a device that allows users to enter and store deterrent sound sequences and then automatically replays these through a loudspeaker.

It is intended mainly for use as an animal deterrent, particularly a bird deterrent in situations such as on small craft to prevent fouling by seabirds, in gardens to prevent damage to soft fruit crops and around poultry pens to prevent possible infection from wild fowl. It may however also be used to deter other animals such as cats and deer and for security purposes, to deter intruders.

A feature of this invention is that it allows users to easily store sound recordings of their own choice and making, that are appropriate to the situation in which the device is to be deployed. Examples of such sounds (that can be combined onto a single recording), are for birds of natural predators, distress calls or the humming' sound produced by plastic tapes in wind. Other animals such as deer may respond to a percussive sound. The sound of a barking dog or the voiced challenge of the user may deter intruders. These sounds may be repeatedly changed by the user allowing the most effective repertoire to be developed and altered should the targets become accustomed to it.

Accordingly this invention provides a preferably portable and weatherproof box containing an audio memory with interface port to allow sound recordings to be stored in it, amplifier, loudspeaker and battery. In situations where external loudspeakers and batteries already exist (such as on boats) these may be used in preference to fitting them to the device.

The preferred method of storing sounds in the device is through a cable connected to the sound card of a personal computer. Sounds may thus be obtained from Internet sites andlor recorded directly by a user onto his/her personal computer, edited and combined.

Alternative methods are from a microphone or from audio equipment.

The replayed sound recording may repeat continuously with an inserted time delay or may preferably be triggered by one or more external sensors including sound sensors, light sensors, mechanical switches and passive infra-red detectors (PIRs).

These external detectors may be connected to the device by cable or preferably by radio signals.

For long periods of unattended operation the internal batteries may supplemented by a low voltage external source such as a lead acid battery or be float charged by a mains charger, solar panel or wind generator.

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the main components of the device.

Figure 2 shows a front and side view of the whole device.

Figure 3 shows a rear view of the device.

As shown in Figure 1 the acoustic deterrent device comprises an audio memory device 1 with connector 2 to external equipment for sound recording purposes using a record start/stop control 3.

The stored sounds are amplified by an amplifier device 4 and broadcast through a loudspeakerS. A volume control 6 allows the sound level to be adjusted according to the size of area to be covered.

The acoustic deterrent is powered by an internal re-chargeable battery 7 with on/off switch 8 and connector 9 to an external power source or battery charger.

A control circuit 10 allows the sound recording either to replay continuously or to play only when triggered by an external device cabled via connector 11. Mode control 12 determines whether the device operates in continual play or trigger mode. When operating in continuous play mode the repeat delay time control 13 allows an adjustable time delay to be inserted before each replay.

As shown in Figure 2 the components of the acoustic deterrent device are housed in an enclosure 14 fitted with a loudspeaker 5, on-off switch 8, volume control 6, external supply cohnector 9 and external trigger cable connector 11. There is a removable rear panel 15 giving access to the interior of the device.

As shown in Figure 3 the internal components of the acoustic deterrent comprise a printed circuit board 16 on which is mounted the audio memory 1, amplifier 4 and control circuit cOthponents 10. Below the printed circuit board is a panel 17 containing the connector by which sounds are recorded into the device 2, record button 3, mode control 12 and repeat time delay control 13. The battery 7 is shown fitted to the base of the device.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. An acoustic deterrent device including an audio memory device that allows the deterrent sounds to be recorded by the user.

2. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 1 including an amplifier, one or more loudspeakers and a power supply housed in a box.

3. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 2 whereby the loudspeaker or loudspeakers and power supply are external to the box.

4. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in any preceding claim where the power supply consists of a re-chargeable battery and connector to an external power source.

5. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in any preceding claim housed in a water-resistant box with water-resistant loudspeaker, controls and connectors.

6. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in any preceding claim that continuously replays the recorded sounds.

7. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 6 that inserts a time delay into the replay cycle.

8. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the activation of a remote sensor triggers it to play the recorded sounds.

9. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 where the remote sensor is activated by sound.

10. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 where the remote sensor is activated by light.

11. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 where the remote sensor is activated by a mechanical switch.

12. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 where the remote sensor is activated by a passive infra-red detector.

13. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 where the remote sensor is activated by multiple detectors in Claims 9 to 12.

14. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claims 8 to 13 that allows the external sensors to be cabled to the device.

15. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 to 13 that allows the external sensors to linked to the device by radio signals.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An acoustic deterrent device including an audio memory device that allows the deterrent sounds to be recorded by the user.

2. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 1 including an amplifier, one or more loudspeakers and a power supply housed in a box.

3. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 2 whereby the loudspeaker or loudspeakers and power supply are external to the box.

4. Ai acoustic deterrent device as claimed in any preceding claim where the power supply consists of a re-chargeable battery and connector to an external power source.

5. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in any preceding claim housed in a water-resistant box with water-resistant loudspeaker, controls and connectors.

6. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in any preceding claim that continuously replays the recorded sounds.

7. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 6 that inserts a time delay into the replay cycle.

8. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the activation of a remote sensor triggers it to play the recorded sounds.

9. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 where the remote sensor is activated by sound.

10. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 where the remote sensor is activated by light.

11. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 where the remote sensor is activated by a mechanical switch.

12. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 where the remote sensor is activated by a passive infra-red detector.

13. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 where the remote sensor is activated by multiple detectors in Claims 9 to 12.

14. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claims 8 to 13 that allows the external sensors to be cabled to the device.

1 5. An acoustic deterrent device as claimed in Claim 8 to 13 that allows the external sensors to linked to the device by radio signals.