CA2104173A1 - Method and system for transmitting sounds of birds at a feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A system and method is provided for transmitting the sounds of birds at a bird feeder to a remote location. The system comprises a bird feeder having a transmitter unit for transmitting an amplified signal representing sounds generated near the bird feeder, a transmission medium for transmitting the amplified signal, and a receiver unit for converting the amplified signal into audible sound. The transmitter unit includes a microphone for converting acoustical sound waves into a signal, an amplifier for amplifying the signal, and a power supply for providing power to the microphone and the amplifier. The transmission medium may comprise either a length of wire or an antenna. The power supply may be either a battery or a solar cell.

Description

M~THOD AND BY~T~ FOR TR~N~NITTI~
30~ND~ OF BIRDB AT A ~BD~R
B~okgr~u~ h~
The present invention relate~ to bird feeder~
generally and more particularly to a bird feeder into which is incorporated a device for tran.smitting sounds near the feeder to a remote location.
Bird feeders have long been used to attract birds for aesthetic enjoyment, both for the 6ight of the bird6 and the pleasing sounds they provide. Unfortunately, birds are naturally aver6e to human~, thereby prev2nting humans from approaching the bird6 and getting clo~e en~ugh to the feeder to enjoy their sounds. It i~ an o~ject of the present invention, then, to provide a bird feeder which inoorporate~ a transmitter for transmitting the sounds near the bird feeder to a remote locat.ion ~o that the sounds of the birds ~ay be enjoyed from a distance. In this manner, one who wishes to listen to the birds as they feed may do ~o from a location which is far enough away from the birds so that they will not be frightened off by the li~tener.

~umm~ry o~ the Pre~ent I~ve~tio~
A system and ~ethod for transmitting over distance the sound~ o~ bird~ at a bird feeder are provided. The ~ystem comprise~ a bird feeder which includes a transmitter unit, and a receiver unit located at a distance ~rom the transmitter unit. The transmitter unit comprise~ a ~icrophone for converting acou~tical sound wave~ into a signal, tran~mitter circuitxy for a~plifying the ~ignal and generating a radio- ~reguency (RF) 6ignall and a power supply for providing power to the microphone and the transmitter circuitry.

.

The bird feeder comprise6 a base portion which is attached to a feed enclo~ure, and a roof which c~vers the enclosure. The roof include6 a lid through which feed may be poured into the ~eed enclosure. The base portion, the enclosure and tha roof are pre~erably constructed fro~ injection-molded plastic.
The base portion of the bird feeder i6 provided with a perch upon which birds may roost, a feed trough which is located inside of the perch, and a diverter for diverting the feed contained within the enclosure into the trough. The base portion of the bird feeder also provides means to attach the feeder to an outdoor object.
The enclosure is hollow and may be provided with a decorative outer surface and is attached to the base portion by conventional mean~. The roof is provided with a narrowed base which seats into the inner perimeter of the feed enclosure, and th~ lid also i6 providPd with a narrowed base which fits into an opening i~ the top of the roof. The lid is removable ~o that feed may be deposited into the feed enclosure through the roof.
The roo~ also includes the transmitter unit which i5 used to transmit a signal representing the sounds of ~irds roosting on the perch to the receiver unit. The transmitter unit comprises a ~icrophone, RF transmitting circuitry, a power supply for the microphone and the transmitting circuitry, and a transmitting antenna. ~he microphone converts the bird sound~ into a signal which is amplifie~ and convertsd into an RF signal by ~he transmitting circuitry. The power supply for the microphone and the RF transmitting circuitry may be either a solar panel or a battery. The transmittiny antenna transmits the RF signal to the receiver unit which converts the received signal into xeproduced ~ l ù ~

audible bird sound6. The power supE~ly, the ~F
transmitting circuitry and the microphone fit wi hin a tran~mitter unit support member which fi~6 ;.nto a r~ces~
in the roof . The microphone f its within a hole in an eave of the roof. The transmitting ant:enna extend6 through a second hole in the roof, and i nto the feed enclosure.
The receiver unit is positioned at a location remote from the transmitter unit and receives the RF
~;ignal radiated by the transmitting antenna. The receiver unit i5 provided with a receiving antenna for facilitating reception of the radiated signal, amplifier circuitry for amplifying the received signal, a power supply, and a loudspea~er for converting the amplified received signal into an audible reproduction of the sound6 of the birds near the feeder.

Brie~ Description of th~ Dr~g~
Figure 1 i~ a perspective view of the bird feeding and sound transmitting system of ths present invention;
Figure 2A is a top plan view of the bird feeder o~
~he system of Figur~ l;
Figure 2B is a partial sectional side view of the bird feeder of the system of Figure l;
Figure~ 3A-3C are side views of the bird ~eeder o~
Figure 1, ~howing thr0e preferred~ mechanis~s ~or attaching the bird feeder to an outdoor object;
Figure 4 ia a partial sectional side view of the roof of the bird feeder of Figure 1, ~howing a trans~itt~r unit incorporated thereln; and Figures 5A and 5B, taken together, are schematic block-diagrams illustra~ing the construction of the transmitt~r unit and the receiv~r unit of the system of Figure 1.

.

: : .

Deta~le~ De~criptio~ o~ t~ Preferre~ E~bo~ ~t Figure 1 show~ a bird feeding and ~ound tranBmitting 6y6t~ 10 eonstructed according to the principles of the pre~ent invention. The ~y~tem 10 comprises a bird feeder 12 (~hown with a bird perched thereupon), which includes a transmitter unit 14, and a receiver ~nit 16. The bird feeder 12 is adapted to be install~d in an outdoor location where it ~ay attract birds, and the receiver unit 16 i~ adapted ~o be placed at a location remote from the bird feeder 12, either indoors or outdoor~.
The bird feeder 12 i8 shown in greater detail in the top plan view of Figure 2A and the partial sectional view of Figure 2B. The feeder 12 comprises a base portion 18 which is attached to a feed ~in or enclo6ure 20, and a roof 22 for the enclo~ure. The roo~ 22 includes a lid 24 through which feed may be poured into the feed enclosure 20. The base portion 18, the enclosure 20 and the roof 22 are preferably con~tructed from injection~molded plastic, although other materi~
.g., wood, ~ay b~ u~edO
The base portion 18 of the bird feeder i6 provided with a perimetric rod or p~rch 26 upon which bird~ ~ay roost, a feed trough 28 which i~ located inside of the perimetric perch ~nd which extends outwardly ~rom the perimeter o~ the enclo6ure 20, and a diverter 30 $or diverting the feed contained within the enclosure 20 ~n~o the trough 280 In the embodiment shown 1n Figure~;
2A and 2B, the perch 26 and trough 2B are hexagonal in shape, and thus the diverter 30 is a hexagonal pyra~id.
Of cour~e, other ~hape~ of bird feeder bases are conte~plated, and thus the divPrter may be shaped in the vrm o~ a pyramid having other than a hexagon for a base, or may be conical in shape. In any case~ the eed : :
... . .. .
,. ~

contained within the enclosure 20 is directed under the force of gravity from the enclosure to the feed trough 2S. The trough 28 is provided with drainage hole~ 31 which permits water in the trough to drain from the feed in the trough.
The base portion 18 of the bird eeder 12 also provides means to attach the ~eeder to an outdoor object. Although other atta~hment mechanisms are contemplated by the present ~nvention, Figure~ 3~-3C
show khree preferred mechanisms for attaching the bird ~eeder 12 to an outdoor object, all three of which may be provided using the same ba~e portion 18. Figure 3A
shows a hanger 32 which co~prises a shaft 34 having a hooked portion 36 at one end and a thrèaded portion 38 at the other end. The ~haft 34 extends through holes 40 in the lid 24 of the roof 22 and in the base portion 18.
bottom surface 42 o~ base portion 18 is provided with a 4" x 4" recess 44~ A hanger base plate 46 fits within the recess 44 and is ~ecured to the ~haft 34 using a threaded nut 48. ~ubber washer~ 50 disposed on the ~haft adjacent both eide6 of the lid 24 and the botto~
of the base portion 18 prevent water from entering into the feed enclosure 20. The washer located on the bottom ~ide of the lid al~o holds the lid in place on the ~ha~t 34 above the opening 64 when the lid ie lifted to fill the feeder with food. The bird feeder outfitted with the hanger 32 may b4 hung ~ro~ an outdoor object, e.g., a tree limb.
Figure 3B ~how6 the bird ~eeder 12 as i~ would be attached to a square post. The 4~ x 4 n recess 44 in the botto~ ~urface 42 of the hase portion 18 provides ~
conve~ient loca~ion into which may be inserted the end of a decorative 4~ x 4" wooden po3t.

. .
` . ~' : .' ~", Figure 3C ~hows ~he third preferred mechanl~m ~or attachin~ the bird f~eder 12 to an outdoor vb~ect. A 4~
x 4 n adapter block 52, also preferably constructed from injection molded plastic/ is mounted withil~ the 4w x 4"
recess 44 in the bottom ~urface 42 of th~ base portion 18. The adapter block 52 is provided with a cylindrical hollow portion into which t~e end of a pole may ~
inserted. As stated above, all three of the preferred attachment mechanisms are provided by the ~a~e embodiment of the invention, which includes holes 40 in the lid 24 of the r~of 22 and in the base portion 18, the 4" x 4" recess 44 in the bottom surface 42 o~ kase portion 18, and the optional 4" x 4" adapter block 52.
Referring back to Figures 2A and 2B, the bird feeder includes feed enclosure 20 and roof 22 in ad~ition to the base portion 18 de~cribed above. Like the perch 26 and the trough 28 of the ~ase portion 18, the feed enclosure 20 in the embodiment of Figures 2A
and 2B is hexagonal in shape, although other enclo~ure . shapes are certainly contemplated. The enclosure 20 is hollow and may be provided with a decorative outer ~urfare. The bottom of the enclosure 20 is open and surrounds the diverter 30 and the top of the enclosure is open and is covered by the roof 22.
The enclosure 20 is attached to the base porticn 18 by conventional means, for example, by screws or ~y snap fit enga~ement with the base portion 18. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, each panel of the hexagonal enclosure 20 has legs 54 extending downwardly toward th~
base portion 1~ so that openings 56 are created ~n an area defined by the legs 54, the feed trough 28 and the lower'portions o~ the panels~ It i~ through thesa openings that feed is conveyed by the diverter fro~
within the enclosure ~0 to the trough 28.

,. .: . -. :
:: :

~ I U ~L 1 ~ 3 The r~of 22, also hexagonal in shape, i~ provided with a narrowed base 58 which seats into the inner peri~eter of the hexagcnal feed enclosure 20. Eave~ 60 extend beyond the feed enclosure 20 and over the feed trough 28 to keep the ~eed in the tr~ugh d~ry. The lid 24 also is provided with a narrowed base 62 which ~its into an ~pening 64 in the top of the roof 22. The lid 24 i~ removable so that feed may ~e deposited into the feed enclosure 20 through the roof 22. The roof 22 also includes the transmitter unit 14 which is u~ed to transmit a signal representing the sounds of bird~
roosting on the perch 26 to the receiver unit 16 (~ee Figure 1). The transmitter unit 14 ~it6 into a rece~
66 in the roof (see Figure 4). Although the transmitter unit 14 is incorporated into khe roof 22 in the preferred embodiment, the transmitter unit can b~
i~plemented separate ~rom a bird feeder as lon~ as it i~
placed in an area where birds are present.
Referring now to Figure 4, the transmitter unit ~4 includes, in addition to the components explained in ~urther detail below, a power ~upply 68, a microphone 70, transmitter circuitry 72 and transmitting antenna 74. The power supply, the trans~itter circuitry, and the microphone fit within a transmitter unit ~upport member 78 which fits into the recess 66 vf roo~ 22. The microphone 70 extends below the support member 78 ~nd ~its w~thin a hole 80 in the eav~ 60 of the roof 22.
The trans~itting antenna 74 extend~ from the transmitter circuitry 72 through a hole 82 in the roof 22, and into the confinement provided by feed enclosure 20, so as not to interfere with the aesthetic appearance of the bird feede~ 12 ~also see Figure 1~.
In the preferred embodiment of the transmitter unit 14, the power supply 68 comprises a solar panel~

.
, . '' ., . . : . ' - :
.

.
': ., ' , . . . .

although it is contemplated that a battery could also be u~ed to provide power to the ~icrophone 70 and the transmitter circuitry 72. ~ecause the roof 22 is ~haped like a regular polygon (a hexagon as 6hown in Figure l)s an omnidirectional fit is provided betwe~n t:he enclosure 20 and the xoof 22 so that the r~of may be t:urned in the direction which positions the 601ar panel toward the ~un.
If a battery is used as the source of power~ the transmitter unit 14 could be turned on and off manually.
Alternatively, the transmitter unit could be turned on either by a perch operated switch which would be activated by the weight of a bird, or by a ~ound activated switch which would be activated by the sound of a bird. In either oP these alternative case~, a delay timer could be used to turn the transmitter unit off. The battery could al~o be used in conjunction with, and not instead of, the solar panel. In this embodiment, the battery could be recharged by the s~lar panel.
Figures 5A and 5B show a schematic block diagra~
of the transmitter unit 14 and the rec iver unit 16 of the system 10, which is a typical RF (radio frequency) transmitter/receiver arrangement. ~he microphone 70 converts acoustical sound waves ~bird sounds) into an electrical (message) ~ignal which is amplified by an amplifier 84. An RF o~cillator 86 establishe~ a carrier frequency. ~he electrical (~essage~ ~ignal modulate~
the carxier frequency at modulator ~8 which outputs a modulate~ wave. The transmittinq antenna 74 converts the modulated wave (RF energy) to an electromagnetic wave, which is transmitted-in the radio frequency range, within an unlicensed "citizen7s bandn. The trans~itting antenna 74 is designed to direct the radiated energy ' ' :' ' :

' primarily toward the receiver unit 16. The r~ceiver unit may be either a super-he~ero~yne recelver or a super-regenerative receiver.
The wave propagated from the transmit:ting antenna 74 induces a small voltage in a receiving antenna ~0 on the receiver unit 16, placed up to a couple of hundred feet away. In a super-heterodyne type of raceiver, an RF amplifier 92 increases the received ~ignal power to a level suitable for input to a mixer 94. A local oscillator 96 outputs a frequency which differs from the RF amplified signal by an intermediate frequenry. The ~ixer 94 shifts the RF ampli~ied signal to the intermediate frequency. An IF amplifier 98 increase~
this ~ignal to a level suitable for detection by a detector 100, which recovers the original message signal output by the microphone 70. Amplif.ier 102 increases the power level of the detector output to a value suitable for driving a loudspeaker 104, which c~nvert~
the ~ignal information back to the original bird ~ound~.
If the amplified signal transmitted by khe transmitting antenna 74 i~ in the F~ band, an ordinary FM radio ~ay be used as the receiver un~t 16. The receiver w~it pow~r supply (not shown) i6 either alternating electrical current, rectified and ~iltered alternating current (dc current~ or a battery. A plug-in receiver unit is preferred because it iG likely that the receiver unit will operate continuously. Optionally, a squelch unit 106 could be included in the receiver unit 16. ~he squelch would sense the absence o~ an RF ~ignal and turn off the loudspeaker ~o that the loudspeaker would not output a hi~sin~ sound (noise) when no bird sounds were detec~ad by the microphone 70 at the feedsr 12 Alternatively, a secon~ embodiment o~ the invention iB contemplated wherein the receivar unit 16 s~ `

does not include an antenna, an a~plifier or a power ~upply. In this embodiment, the receiver unit compri6es only a loudspeaker. The transmi~sion medium comprise~
a length of wire which connects the loudspeaker with th~
transmitter unit. The transmitter unit in thi~
particular embodiment compri e~ a microphone which converts acoustical sound waves ~bird ~ounds) into ~n electrical current, and an amplifier which amplifie~
this electrical current and trans~it~ it along the tran6mission medium (wire) to the loudspeaker ~although the amplifier could al50 be incorporated into the receiver). The loudspeaker convert~ ~he ampli~ied electrical current into a reproduction of the bird sounds.
In either of the embodiments described above, a bird attraction ~echanism (not ~hown) may be incorporated into the system 10. The bird at~rac~ion ~echanism comprises mean~ to transmit recorded bird 60unds to the bird feeder ~2 to attract birds ~o the feeder~ The ~echanism may be implemented by ronventionally known means~ e.~.~ playing the recorded bird sounds over a loudspeaXer located in or ~ear the feeder 12. The loudspeaker ~ay b~ connected to the source of the recorded sounds by a l~ngth of wire.
Alternatively, a transmitter/receiver arrangement ~imilar to the one described above may be ukilized to implement the bird attraction ~echanism, In such an alternat~ve arrangement for imple~enting the bird attractlon me¢hanis~, a second transmitter would be used to transmit an amplified signal in the radio freguency range representing recorded bird sound~ to a second receiver located in or near the bird feeder, and the second receiver unit would be used to convert the amplified si~nal into audible soun~.

. .
.

.

Accordingly, the preferred embodi~ent for a 6y~tem and method for tran~mitting over a distance the sound6 of bird6 at a bird feeder has been de~cribed. With the foregoing description in mind, however, it i6 understood that this description i6 made only by way of example, that the invention i~ not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, and that variou6 rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions may be implémented without departing fro~ the true ~pirit of thP invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims (20)

1. A bird feeding and sound transmitting system, comprising:
a bird feeder including:
a feed enclosure having a top portion and a bottom portion, a base portion attached to said bottom portion of said feed enclosure, and having a feed trough which extends outwardly from the perimeter of said bottom portion of said feed enclosure and a diverter positioned in part within said feed enclosure for diverting feed into said feed trough, a roof attached to said top portion of said feed enclosure which extends for a distance from said top portion to cover said feed trough; and a transmitter unit for transmitting an amplified signal representing sounds generated near said bird feeder, said transmitter unit comprising (i) a microphone for converting acoustical sound waves into a signal, (ii) transmitter circuitry for amplifying said signal and generating a transmission signal, and (iii) a power supply for providing power to said microphone and said transmitter circuitry;
a transmission medium for transmitting said transmission signal; and a receiver unit for converting said transmission signal into audible sound.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said microphone converts acoustical sound waves into an electrical current, said transmitter circuitry amplifies said electrical current, said transmission medium comprises a length of wire, and said receiver unit comprises a loudspeaker.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said power supply is battery.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said power supply is a solar cell.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said microphone converts acoustical sound waves into an electromagnetic wave, said transmitter circuitry amplifies said electromagnetic wave, said transmission medium comprises an antenna for radiating said amplified electromagnetic wave through the air, and said receiver unit includes a receiving amplifier.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said amplified electromagnetic wave radiated by said antenna is in the radio frequency range.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said receiver is powered by alternating electrical current.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said receiver is powered by direct electrical current.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said receiver is powered by a battery.

10. The bird feeding and sound transmitting system of claim 1, wherein said diverter is in the shape of a hexagonal pyramid.

11. The bird feeding and sound transmitting system of claim 1, further comprising a rod which extends around the perimeter of said base portion upon which birds may roost.

12. The bird feeding and sound transmitting system of claim 11, wherein said feed trough is positioned intermediate said bottom portion and said rod.

13. The bird feeding and sound transmitting system of claim 12, wherein said feed trough includes drainage holes to permit fluid to drain from said feed trough.

14. The bird feeding and sound transmitting system of claim 13, wherein said roof includes a removable lid for depositing feed into said feed enclosure through said roof.

15. A bird feeding system comprising:
a feed enclosure having a top portion, a bottom portion and viewing portals therein for viewing feed contained within said feed enclosure;
a base portion attached to said bottom portion of said feed enclosure, having a feed trough which extends outwardly from the perimeter of said bottom portion of said feed enclosure and a diverter for diverting feed contained within said feed enclosure into said feed trough; and a roof attached to said top portion of said feed enclosure which extends for a distance from said top portion to cover said feed trough.

16. The bird feeding system of claim 15, wherein said diverter is in the shape of a hexagonal pyramid.

17. The bird feeding system of claim 16, further comprising a rod which extends around the perimeter of said base portion upon which birds may roost.

18. The bird feeding system of claim 17, wherein said feed trough is positioned intermediate said diverter and said rod.

19. The bird feeding system of claim 18, wherein said feed trough includes drainage holes which permit water to drain from said feed trough.

20. The bird feeding system of claim 19, wherein said roof includes a lid which may be removed to deposit feed into said feed enclosure through said roof.