JP2007521026A - Human protection device and method of use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

  Shark attacks on swimmers, scuba divers, surfers, hikers, hunters, campers, and other individuals engaged in water and / or land activities and attacks from other marine and terrestrial predators It is a personal protection device (and method of use) that consists of devices that distract and stop by sound transmission in the sea and land that are designed to protect against water. Human protection devices emit at sequential intervals that change high frequency pitches that are easily heard and recognized by sharks and / or other targeted terrestrial and marine human predators. Human protection device supplies electrical energy to sound generator means for reproducing sound known to repel predators, piezoelectric speakers, sound generator means and speakers housed in a waterproof housing Power supply.

Description

  The present invention relates to a human protection device that repels predators, and more particularly to driving out predators in a range using a sound generator.

  Swimmers, scuba divers, hikers, hunters, and campers sometimes find themselves in an environment that includes terrestrial and marine animals known to prey on humans. Although splashing on land is often sufficient to fight off some terrestrial predators, water splashes and movements in floating activities on the water are not like sharks. Tend to attack some marine predators.

  In the past, attempts have been made to use acoustic devices to control terrestrial and marine animals. In general, devices previously devised and used for the purpose of repelling terrestrial and marine animals are sound or intended to repel or control the behavior of such terrestrial and marine animals. It consisted of a fixed or ship-mounted device for generating vibration-like sounds or vibrations using various mechanisms. These devices include the following:

  U.S. Pat. No. 1, issued to Stanley Barrand US Pat. No. 3,317,889 discloses an apparatus for repelling sharks by vibrating a line that generates a sound to repel sharks at a specific frequency.

  U.S. Pat. No. 1, issued to Stanley Weinberg US Pat. No. 4,566,085 discloses an ultrasonic generator that generates bursts of sound to sweep away pests and small pests from a desired space.

  Michael T. U.S. Pat. No. issued to Miller US Pat. No. 5,570,322 discloses a barracuda repulse sound generator that generates and transmits a sound and light that intentionally angers the barracuda.

  Robert K. U.S. Pat. No. 1, issued to Jeffers 5,610,876 discloses a deterrent acoustic system and method for repelling marine animals from the water region. The high frequency (7-10 kHz) acoustic signal, starting at a low level, is gradually or incrementally increased to a level above the mammal's pain threshold.

  In particular, the prior art devices are of fairly complex construction and are often large enough to make them unsuitable for use as a personal protection device that is carried by the user and activated as needed. In addition, any of the above references describes an easily portable human protection device or piezoelectric speaker technology that can be worn by a person to repel animals that are predators against humans, and such animals. There is no disclosure of an easily portable human protection device that uses pre-recorded sounds of predators against such animals to repel them from humans.

  The present invention can be selectively worn on a person's wrist, or can be worn on a part of the human body, or on sea or land equipment such as surfboards, floating devices and camping equipment. It provides a solution to these and other problems by enabling simple designs that are easy to configure, easy to wear, wearable, and inexpensive.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to enable a human protection device that repels predators and methods of use thereof that avoid the disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to enable a human protection device that is compact and portable. A related object is to enable a person protection device that can be worn by a person, for example, similar to a wristwatch.

  Another object of the present invention is to enable a person protection device with a simple design to repel predators. A related object of the present invention is to enable a personal protection device using piezoelectric technology that is durable and reliable in construction.

  Another object of the present invention is to enable a personal protection device that can be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. A related object of the present invention is to purchase such a personal protection device by allowing low manufacturing costs in terms of both materials and labor, and thus enabling low selling costs to the consuming mass. It is to enable such personal protection devices that are economically available to the masses.

  Another object of the present invention is to protect a person comprising a sound generator that reproduces sound known to repel predators, a piezoelectric speaker, and a power source that supplies electrical energy to the sound generator and the piezoelectric speaker. Is to enable the device.

  Attacking swimmers, scuba divers, surfers, hikers, hunters, campers, and other individuals engaged in water and / or land activities in accordance with these and other objectives by human marine or terrestrial predators A personal protection device is described that provides a device that distracts and restrains sea and land sound transmission that is designed to protect against fire. With respect to certain preferred embodiments, the personal protection device is a variable sequential interval that is easily heard and more particularly recognized by sharks and / or other targeted terrestrial and marine human predators. A high frequency pitch is emitted. For example, in the case of sharks, the high pitch sound emitted by the personal protection device is a natural sound recording or a duplicate sound generated by a suitable computer in a small group of killer whales. Other sounds known or discovered that are recognizable by sharks, or that are effective in preventing sharks from threatening or attacking humans, are optionally used. obtain. The sound emitted by the personal protection device can be selectively altered to target other marine or terrestrial predators.

  The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be considered in more detail in connection with the following description of embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the human protection device of the present invention is preferably configured in a portable waterproof container 10. A small circuit board 13 is disposed in the portable waterproof container 10, and the small circuit board 13 includes a sound generator and a control circuit. In a first embodiment of the invention, the sound generator generates a digital synthesized sound of one or more killer whales eating prey. The sound of a killer whale eating a prey is recorded in the wild, and the recorded sound is converted into a digital sound signal. The recorded killer whale sound is digitized, edited and augmented to produce a digital killer sound. The sound generated by the sound generator is preferably a digitally re-recorded (remastered) artificial sound recorded on a computer chip that is substantially identical to a natural recording. Approximately 5 to 10 seconds of sound is recorded on the computer chip.

  The control circuit is responsive to an input switch 16 that energizes such a small circuit board 13. The input switch 16 has an enabling orientation to allow the small circuit board 13 to be electrically energized and a disabling orientation to prevent the small circuit board 13 from being electrically energized. Have. When energized, the control circuit directs the sound generator to generate a recorded sound. When the sound finishes playing, the control circuit directs the sound generator to continue playing the recorded sound as long as the circuit board remains energized. In an alternative embodiment, the computer chip can have multiple sounds from different predators recorded on it. In such an embodiment, means are provided for selecting the desired sound generated by the sound generator.

  The piezoelectric speaker 19 is electrically connected to a sound generator on the small circuit board 13. The piezoelectric speaker 19 emits sound output from the sound generator. The sound emitted should be loud enough that the predator can hear it at a safe distance from the user. Such a safe distance varies depending on the predator to be deterred. In the preferred embodiment, the piezoelectric speaker generates sound in the range of 120 to 190 decibels. Larger or lower volume can be used as required by the particular application. Piezoelectric speakers are commercially available and allow this personal protection device to be incorporated into a small compact container and are operated with a minimum power source so that the user can wear the piezoelectric speaker It is possible to incorporate into a personal protection device. One such piezoelectric speaker manufacturer is Piezo Systems, Inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is.

  A battery 22 such as a standard wristwatch battery is disposed in the portable waterproof container 10. The battery 22 provides electrical energy for operation of the personal protection device. When the personal protection device is activated, battery power energizes the small circuit board 13 that houses the sound generator through the input switch 16 and contains the sound to broadcast. The sound generator starts sending pre-recorded sound through the piezoelectric speaker 19. The batteries are conventional in design and are commercially available, such as Casio, Energizer, or Duracell watch batteries. The battery can be replaced when its electrical energy has been consumed.

  Two push buttons can be attached to the outside of the portable waterproof container 10. The first push button 25 turns on the person protection device by placing the input switch 16 in the enabling orientation. The second push button 26 turns off the person protection device by placing the input switch 16 in the disabled state.

  In a preferred embodiment, the personal protection device of the present invention is easily portable enough to be worn by the user, is completely self-contained and small. Human protection devices are constructed in a small waterproof housing using piezoelectric speaker technology, which is the same type of technology used for small speaker devices, such as talking watches and small personal alarms. It is. For example, in the case of protection from sharks, the piezoelectric speaker technology used in this personal protection device may utilize natural recordings of shark's natural predators. For example, in a preferred embodiment, a natural recording may comprise a well-known subgroup of killer whales known as R-Pods. By playing a series of screams and clicks made by members of the R pod while eating the prey, the human protection device will cause any shark or marine predator to eat the prey in the immediate vicinity. Can cause sharks or marine predators to retreat.

  In operation, a small watch battery powers the internal parts of the person protection device. When the personal protection device is activated, it will emit a chirp of 4 to 10 kilowatts, preferably through the piezoelectric speaker, preferably in the range of 120 and 190 decibels. It is preferable to scare away any predators. Such a decibel range has been found to be particularly favorable for sending the aforementioned killer whale recording to a desired distance of 30 to 100 meters. In particular, as long as the overall transmission range between 30 and 100 meters is maintained, the desired range of sound transmission and whether such transmission is through water or air. Depending on the power and capacity to be transmitted can vary. The emitted sound preferably lasts approximately 3-5 seconds and will be repeated continuously as long as the personal protection device is energized. The amount of recorded sound can be any length as long as it can be stored on a computer chip mounted on a small circuit board included in the personal protection device.

  Once again, such transmissions preferably cause the sound to fire over a distance between 30 and 100 meters in water. The sound needs to be powerful enough to travel in sufficient distance water to reach its intended target for deterrence. The running length of the sound in water depends on the transmission power and the water state. In general, the greater power launched into the water travels a longer distance. Therefore, the farther the sound travels, the greater the deterrent effect on the predator. Therefore, it should be noted that the transmit power is adjusted depending on the medium in which the sound must travel so as to maintain a transmission distance of preferably between 30 and 100 meters.

  The personal protection device is preferably composed of a durable and waterproof outer casing, and as a watch / dive watch or as a part of the body or surfboard, floating device and camping equipment It can be mounted in a manner that allows it to be mounted on such sea or land devices.

  In an alternative embodiment, the human protection device is known to attack, for example, bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, humpback whales, and other similar marine animals, and sharks or other marine predators. Other natural sounds such as carnivore sounds can be modified. It can also be modified to use other sounds, such as those that deter to other human predators. Such a change can be performed by using different computer chips with different recordings, or by using variable selectable sounds stored on a single chip. Similar piezoelectric speaker technology and spaced sound transmission, sequential sound transmission, or other sound transmission can be specifically designed to target other terrestrial and marine predators of humans.

Industrial Applicability With respect to the industrial applicability of human protection devices, one device that emits sound designed to repel terrestrial and marine predators and can be conveniently carried or worn by humans. It is desirable to provide Designed to protect swimmers, scuba divers, surfers, hikers, hunters, campers, and other individuals engaged in water and / or land activities from attacks by human marine or terrestrial predators A human protection facility is disclosed that provides a device that distracts and restrains attention by transmitting sea and / or land sound. This device emits high frequency pitches that are easily heard and more particularly recognized by sharks and / or other targeted terrestrial and marine predators at varying sequential intervals. The sound produced by the personal protection device can be selectively altered to target a wide variety of marine and terrestrial predators.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an apparatus having a circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (21)

In a person protection device that repels predators,
A circuit board,
(1) a control circuit;
(2) a circuit board comprising a sound generator;
A piezoelectric speaker;
A power source that is in electrical communication with the circuit board and enables the supply of electrical energy for operation;
A switch for selectively supplying electrical energy to the circuit board,
A person protection device in which the circuit board, piezoelectric speaker, power source, and switch are placed in a waterproof container.   The person protection device according to claim 1, wherein the sound generator further comprises a computer chip having sound recorded therein.   The person protection device according to claim 2, wherein the recorded sound comprises a sound of a small group of killer whales eating prey.   3. The human protection device of claim 2, wherein the recorded sound comprises a digital synthesized sound in which a small group of killer whales are eating prey.   3. The human protection device according to claim 2, wherein the recorded sound comprises a digital synthesized sound recognized by an animal that is a human predator as a sound of such an animal predator. The recorded sound is
Bottlenose dolphins,
Sperm whale,
Humpback whale,
3. A human protection device according to claim 2, comprising a marine animal sound selected from the group consisting of marine carnivores known to attack sharks.   As long as the control circuit directs the sound generator to generate a sound when the circuit board is powered and directs the sound generator and the circuit board is powered The person protecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound is continuously reproduced.   The person protection device according to claim 1, wherein the power source includes a battery. The sound generator further comprises a plurality of recordings of sounds recognized by an animal that is a human predator as the sounds of such an animal predator;
The person protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a switch operatively connected to the circuit board to selectively enable a favorite sound.   The person protection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for attaching a person to the waterproof container.   The person protection device according to claim 10, wherein the means for attaching the waterproof container to a person includes a wrist strap. With a boat,
With surfboards,
A floating device;
Sea facilities,
With tents,
With a carrying bag,
Tools,
2. The personal protection device according to claim 1, further comprising means for attaching the waterproof container to equipment selected from the group consisting of camping equipment.   The person protection device according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric speaker emits a sound sufficient to repel a known predator.   The person protection device according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric speaker emits a sound between approximately 120 decibels and approximately 190 decibels.   The person protection device according to claim 1, wherein the sound generated by the piezoelectric speaker is transmitted through water at a distance of at least 30 meters.   The person protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a first push button that turns on the person protection device by placing the switch in an enabling orientation.   The personal protection device according to claim 16, further comprising a second push button for turning off the personal protection device by placing the switch in a disabled state. A way to repel human predators,
a. Wearing a human protection device, wherein the human protection device is
A circuit board providing a control circuit and a sound generator;
A piezoelectric speaker;
A power source that is in electrical communication with the circuit board to enable supply of electrical energy for operation;
The mounting step comprising a switch for selectively supplying electrical energy to the circuit board;
b. Moving to a range where a first animal that is a human predator is present;
c. The personal protection device reproduces a sound recording of a second animal that is a predator of the first animal with sufficient amplitude so that the first animal is repelled away from the personal protection device. A step comprising:   The method of claim 18, wherein the recording is played with an amplitude between about 120 decibels and approximately 190 decibels.   19. The method of claim 18, wherein the recording is played with an amplitude sufficient to carry the sound at a distance of at least 30 meters. In a method of protecting humans from predators,
a. Providing a person protection device, wherein the person protection device comprises:
A circuit board providing a control circuit and a sound generator;
A piezoelectric speaker;
A power source that is in electrical communication with the circuit board to enable supply of electrical energy for operation;
Providing said switch comprising selectively supplying electrical energy to said circuit board;
b. The personal protection device plays a recording of the sound of a first animal that is a predator of a second animal, and the user of the personal protection device moves to a range where the second animal is present and then the first Instructing the user to repel two animals away from the personal protection device, the instructing step wherein the second animal is a human predator.

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