ES1295285U - Visual predator repeller (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Visual predator repeller, formed by a casing (1) attachable to the ground or to a fixed surface, characterized in that it comprises a repelling system (3) with lights and/or sounds, configured to activate when the artificial vision system (2) identifies a predator. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Visual predator repeller

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present application refers to a device to repel livestock predators (bears or wolves) thanks to the visual identification of predators using automatic artificial vision techniques, without the participation of the animal or the farmer.

STATE OF THE ART

For ecological reasons, the wolf and bear, and other predators in mountain or similar areas, have been reintroduced and are being protected. This creates a problem as predators attack livestock for food, as they are often fenced in so they are easily spotted and unable to run away from predators. Therefore, farmers suffer the damage of this ecological action and have to move their animals to protect them from further attacks.

It is necessary, therefore, to obtain a way to identify a predator and distinguish it from another object or animal in a precise way, in order to force these predators to direct their efforts to their natural prey instead of livestock.

The predator identification functionality is necessary for two reasons: To distinguish the predator from another non-predator animal that may be nearby (dog, cow, horse, sheep... etc.) and to have visual evidence (photo or video) of the presence of a predator in the vicinity.

It is known from ES2673049T3 a sensor for the status of female animals, to detect the arrival of parturition. FR2618051 is known as a sensor attachable to animals for surveillance. It is known from ES1279118 a predator repeller based on the detection of the animal's stress, by means of biometric and movement sensors, without the ability to identify the predator, the device has the same author as the present application.

The applicant does not know of any type of solution that allows all these problems to be solved in such a simple way as the invention.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a predator repeller according to the first claim. Its different variants solve the outlined problems.

It is a device to be placed on the ground, or attached to a fixed surface. Its main function is to try to prevent a predator attack on livestock, mainly cows and calves, by detecting the predator through automatic image recognition (artificial vision), and avoiding it by emitting a sequence of light signals and previously recorded sounds, such as sounds of human voices intended to scare the attacker. The signals are sent from the repeller itself.

In its most complete embodiments, it is based on wireless technologies, preferably LoRa or LoRaWAN, due to its low consumption, long range and independence from the telephone network, which is difficult to access in high mountains, connected to an Internet access point. These technologies will allow you to connect to the remote access point located in the communication range of this network. The access point will send the data collected during the time the device is activated to a server, and will report any actions to ward off predators that occur. The access point will connect to a server, generally via the Internet, by any method: telephony, Starlink, NB-IoT... without being too relevant.

It is also possible to use 4G technology from the same device if in the location where the device is located there is a direct Internet access service for them, through a second communication system, not requiring an Internet access point in such a case, connecting directly to the server.

The predator repeller is made up of a casing that can be attached to a structure on the ground, on another fixed surface, and uses batteries and/or solar panels as an electrical power source. In addition, it comprises a light and sound repelling system, comprising previously recorded lights and/or sounds, configured to activate when the artificial vision system recognizes the shape of a predator (bear or wolf). In addition, the device has infrared night vision lamps to identify the predator. when there is little or no sunlight and distance detectors using ultrasound or laser oriented in the 4 directions, left, right, front and back.

The device preferably comprises two wireless communication systems: first wireless communication system, configured to connect to an external access point and second wireless communication system, configured to connect directly to the Internet if there is direct access to it.

Other variants are seen in the rest of the report.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of the invention, the following figures are included.

Figure 1: Basic scheme of a first example of embodiment.

MODES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Next, an embodiment of the invention is briefly described, as an illustrative and non-limiting example of the latter.

Figure 1 shows an example of an embodiment with a protective, waterproof casing (1), which contains a control board connected to one or more artificial vision cameras, (2), a light and sound scaring system, (3 ), a first wireless communication system (4) configured to connect to an external access point, a second wireless communication system (5) directly connected to a server on the Internet, a distance measurement system, (6) and a infrared light illumination system (7). It can be supplemented with a screen and button interface.

The casing (1) is fixed to any structure on the ground or other surface (wall, fence, etc.). The distance measurement system (6) calculates continuously or by means of a fixed periodicity the distance of the device to any nearby object, in the event of a change in said distance, the artificial vision system (2) is activated and analyzes objects in its range of vision, in the case of identifying the shape (previously learned) of a predator, the scaring system (3) will be activated for a predetermined time, after which the first wireless communication system (4) will connect to the server through the access point, or the second wireless communication system (5) will connect directly to the Internet, to report the actions carried out and the predators identified, if applicable. If there is little or no external light, the environment will be illuminated thanks to the infrared light system (7). If a predator is not identified, the device will return to distance detection mode waiting for a new change in distance.

The scaring system (3) is activated when the artificial vision system (2) considers the presence of predators. The scaring system (3) can comprise lights and/or previously recorded sounds, for example, of human voices, and activate one or the other, or both. It is preferable to accustom the cattle to the signals, especially the sound ones, so that they are not frightened by the device they carry. You can also use a sound that they are previously used to.

The owner of the animals will be able to access the server to track the status of the animals, receive warnings of predators, configure or review the repellents, etc.

Likewise, operation can be stopped manually (buttons), remotely (from the server), by remote control or by geo-fencing or another similar solution if safe areas are defined.

The entire system is powered by one or more batteries, which can be recharged through the use of solar panels connected to the device.

Claims (1)

1- Visual predator repeller, formed by a casing (1) attachable to the ground or to a fixed surface, characterized in that it comprises a repelling system (3) with lights and/or sounds, configured to activate when the artificial vision system ( 2) identifies a predator. 2- Visual predator repeller, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first wireless communication system (4), configured to connect to an external access point and a second wireless communication system (5) connected directly to the Internet. 3- Repeller of predators, according to claim 2, characterized in that the first wireless communication system (4) is of LoRa technology. 4- Repeller of predators, according to claim 2, characterized in that the second wireless communication system (5) is of 4G technology. 5- Repeller of predators, according to claim 1, characterized in that the repelling system (3) has previously recorded lights and sounds. 6- Predator repeller, according to claim 1, characterized in that the artificial vision system (2) has one or more cameras capable of visually identifying a predator. 7- Predator repeller, according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance measurement system (6) has several sensors in the left, right, front and rear directions to measure the distance from the device to objects located around by means of ultrasonic technology or laser. 8- Predator repeller, according to claim 1, characterized in that the infrared light system (7) has one or more infrared light lamps in order to illuminate the environment in the infrared light spectrum.