WO2020216421A1

WO2020216421A1 - An apparatus, a rat bait box and method for detecting, monitoring and/or controlling of rat activity

Info

Publication number: WO2020216421A1
Application number: PCT/DK2020/050104
Authority: WO
Inventors: Torben Redder; Claus VIRMER; Nicolai LUNDGAARD
Original assignee: Sensora Aps
Priority date: 2019-04-23
Filing date: 2020-04-20
Publication date: 2020-10-29
Also published as: DK201970245A1; DK180372B1; EP3958675A1; EP3958675A4

Abstract

An apparatus and method for automated and differentiated real- time detection, monitoring, and control of rat activity in an area of interest and for immediate response upon detection of pest activity using sensor technology installed in one or more rat bait boxes (101) distributed in the area of interest and using IoT technology. Different kinds of activity occurring in the inner space of the one or more rat bait boxes (101) are identified and distinguished between based on load signals.

Description

AN APPARATUS, A RAT BAIT BOX AND METHOD FOR DETECTING, MONITORING AND/OR CONTROLLING OF RAT ACTIVITY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to detection, monitoring, and control of rat activity in a certain area using sensor- based technology and Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

BACKGROUND

Rats pose a threat to human and animal health and well-being and may cause inconveniences as well as material losses to industry, society, and households. Particularly, the presence of rats in settings such as production, processing, or storage facilities in the food, agriculture, pharmaceutical, health care, or other high hygiene demanding sectors is undesirable, since rats can carry diseases and parasites and can transmit these to other animals and humans. Further, rats can damage buildings, structures, and equipment and can spoil food stock. Therefore, there is a need for technology for controlling rat activity.

It is known to use bait stations holding e.g. poison and/or traps for controlling rodent pest activity, particularly rat activity and mouse activity. However, operating and maintaining a pest control system comprising bait stations often requires significant labor with a lot of time and money spent on periodically inspecting the bait stations to check e.g. the bait status or, in case traps are used, whether a rat or mouse has been trapped. Pest control systems covering e.g. industrial production facilities may comprise multiple bait stations positioned in and around the facilities. Routinely inspecting the bait stations is time-consuming since workers must locate, inspect, and document the status of each bait station. Often, there are no pests in the traps, or even in the facility, yet costs are incurred for checking the traps. Accordingly, there is a need for pest control systems that are less labor-intensive. Today, inspection is with a typical maximum of twelve inspections per year. Consequently, pest control is often initiated with a certain delay after rat activity has occurred. Accordingly, there is a need for pest control systems allowing for immediate initiation of pest control upon occurrence of rat activity.

In settings such as production, processing, or storage facilities in the food, agriculture, pharmaceutical, health care, or other high hygiene demanding sectors, accurate monitoring of pest activity is critical. Pest problems need to be identified and responded to quickly. Further, often, professional pest control providers managing the pest control of a site will need to gather comprehensive data relating to pest occurrence and behavior and to provide accurate records and reports with key performance indicators of the efficacy and efficiency of the pest control program. Therefore, there is a need for pest control technology that allows for automated gathering and analysis of data relating to pest occurrence and for immediate notification to e.g. providers and/or users of the technology in case pest activity is detected.

The use of poison, particularly rodenticides , for controlling rats and mice is well-known. Rodenticides are applied as biocides in various use scenarios, for example in and around buildings and industrial facilities, in sewers, at waste dumps, and in open areas. Often, rodenticides are formulated as baits and placed in bait stations to protect the surroundings from direct exposure. However, even when placed in bait stations, rodenticides still pose a potential risk to humans, animals, and the environment, e.g. through secondary poisoning of non-target animals such as predatory birds and mammals. Further, in certain industrial settings, e.g. in the case of food processing plants, the use of poison is undesirable .

Further, in e.g. the EU it is not allowed to place poisonous bait before the presence of rats in a rat bait box or in an area where the rat bait box is placed has been detected or determined. Thus, one or more rat bait boxes without poison, though possibly with nonpoisonous bait, are to be placed in an area where the presence of rats is suspected and only after determining that rats have entered the box(es) or after otherwise observing rat activity, poison can be used in the rat bait box(es) . After placing a rat bait box in an area, an operator will have to revisit the rat bait box at regular intervals, to determine whether or not rats have entered the box. The need to manually inspect the rat bait boxes which are often geographically widely dispersed creates logistic challenges and results in operators having to travel substantial distances, thereby using substantial amounts of time and resources.

W02007/068971 discloses a rat bait box having a housing closing off an inner space for receiving a rat. The housing is provided with an opening suitable to allow a rat to enter the inner space. The trap comprises a processor and a floor forming the bottom of the inner space. The floor comprises pressure pads for detecting presence of a rat on the floor and for triggering the rat trap. When the presence of a rat is detected on the floor, the inner space is closed off and extermination means are activated to exterminate the rat.

GB2472124 discloses an animal trap alerting system, comprising attachment means for attaching the relevant modules to a humane animal trap. Sensors are provided which when triggered by animal movement activate the transmitter unit. The transmitter unit sends a signal to a receiver unit which produces an alert. The system can have a sleep mode that saves power and can be programmed to provide status alerts .

WO2018199737 discloses a detection apparatus comprising at least a sensing means for obtaining data, at least a data- processing means for receiving and storing data from the sensing means, at least a data-transmitting means connected to the data processing means, and at least a data-receiving means for receiving and storing data transmitted from the data transmitting means. The detection apparatus is preferably used within a pest or rodent trap and the sensing means is a weight sensor that is capable of obtaining data by means of weight.

SUMMARY

It is an object to overcome or at least reduce the problems mentioned above. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures .

According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for placing in a rat bait box, the rat bait box having a housing closing off an inner space for receiving a rat and bait, the housing being provided with an opening suitable to allow a rat to enter the inner space, the apparatus comprising :

- a processor,

- an arrangement comprising a floor for forming the bottom of the inner space,

- the floor having a sensor that can be activated and deactivated,

characterized by,

- the processor having at least a sleep mode and an operating mode,

- the floor being connected to the sensor and the sensor being configured to issue one or more load signals representative of the magnitude of a load or weight on the floor to the processor,

the processor being configured to receive the one or more load signals from the sensor,

- detection means configured to detect entry of a rat into the inner space, - the detection means being configured to send an activation signal to the processor upon detection of entry of a rat into the inner space, - the processor being configured to change, for at least a predetermined time span, from the sleep mode to the operating mode upon receiving the activation signal from the detection means, and the processor is configured to activate the sensor upon changing to the operating mode.

By providing an apparatus for placing in an existing rat bait box, which apparatus comprises detection means enabling the apparatus to be activated when the detection means detects entry of one or more objects, e.g. a rat, into the inner space of the rat bait box and a sensor for issuing one or more load signals representative of the load or weight on the floor forming the bottom of the inner space, it becomes possible to determine the presence of a rat in the rat bait box and to issue an alert which can e.g. be sent to a remote server about the presence of a rat in the rat bait box.

The inventors have realized how to achieve automated and differentiated real-time detection, monitoring, and control of rat activity in an area of interest and immediate response upon detection of pest activity using sensor technology installed in one or more rat bait boxes distributed in the area of interest and using IoT technology. Automated and digitized inspection of the one or more rat bait boxes is achieved. Further, activity occurring in the one or more rat bait boxes is immediately determined and identified and can be responded to immediately. Particularly, different kinds of activity occurring in the inner space of the one or more rat bait boxes are identified and distinguished between based on collected load signals. The different kinds of activity may be e.g. due to a rat, a mouse, a frog, a snail, snow or leaves blown into the one or more rat bait boxes, etc. The collected load signals are representative of the load or weight on the floor forming the bottom of the inner space of the one or more rat bait boxes. Owing to the capability of identifying and distinguishing between different kinds of activity, the risk of false alarm is reduced, and the need for human inspection of the one or more rat bait boxes is minimized, thus saving man-hours and costs. Further, the inventors have realized how to render their solution for detecting, monitoring, controlling, and responding to rat activity low in energy consumption by allowing the processor configured to receive and process the load signals to change between a sleep mode and an operating mode depending on the circumstances. The apparatus disclosed herein is for placing in a rat bait box. That is, the apparatus can be inserted into and operated in an existing rat bait box, which rat bait box may be a conventional rat bait box. Thus, the apparatus can be used in a plug-and-play fashion.

The effect of the processor activating the sensor upon changing to the operating mode is that the sensor is activated after detection of entry of a rat into the inner space. The sensor is activated for collecting and issuing load signals. Before activation, the sensor may be in a sleep mode or may be powered off, thus saving energy. Thus, energy consumption is saved both by deactivating the sensor and by moving the processor into sleep mode, when no rat has been detected in the inner space.

The detection means can be a photocell or other similar device that uses relatively little power. The processor and the sensor that indicates the magnitude of the weight on the floor both use comparatively much power. Hence, the low energy consumption detection means can be used to wake up the processor and thereupon the processor activates the sensor.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect the processor is configured to change to sleep mode after a delay during which no signal from the detection means indicating entry or presence of a rat has been detected in the inner space.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect the sleep mode is a default mode of the processor.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is configured to change to the sleep mode after the predetermined time span has elapsed. The effect hereof is that energy is saved. The change to sleep mode may occur e.g. after a fixed max time or when no activity is detected any longer in the inner space by the detection means or the sensor .

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is configured to change to the sleep mode when the detection means and/or the sensor detects that there is no rat activity in the inner space. The effect hereof is that the processor may enter the sleep mode before the predetermined time span has expired, thus saving battery energy . In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises a battery for powering the sensor, the processor, and the detection means.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the detection means comprises a motion sensor, preferably at least one of a PIR sensor, an IR sensor, a vibration switch, an accelerometer, a gravity sensor, and a gyro sensor. The effect hereof is that entry of an object into the inner space and activity of an object in the inner space can be detected.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises a GPS module and/or a tamper sensor. The effect hereof is that the apparatus, and thus the rat box in which the apparatus is placed, can be located. Thus, in case of pest activity is detected in the inner space of the rat bait box, the exact location of the rat bait box, and thus the location of the detected activity can be determined. Further, it can be determined if the apparatus, and thus the rat box in which the apparatus is placed, changes location. The rat bait box may be provided with other means for identifying and locating the rat bait box, e.g. a barcode, a near-field communication chip (NFC), Bluetooth, etc.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the sensor comprises a load cell, e.g. a strain gauge load cell. The effect hereof is that the load or weight of one or more objects on the floor at a given time can be determined and that load signals representative of the load or weight of the one or more objects on the floor can be issued. Further, load changes on the floor can be determined. In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the floor for forming the bottom of the inner space is suspended or at least partially suspended.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the bait is a poisonous bait or a non-poisonous bait.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more load signals are representative of the weight of one or more objects on the floor, for example, a rat, a mouse, a snail, a frog, leaves, snow, bait, and/or a trap with or without catch.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is configured to record the one or more load signals .

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is configured to determine from the one or more load signals whether the one or more load signals are indicative of a rat being or having been present on the floor. The effect hereof is that the presence of a rat in the inner space at a given time can be determined.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is configured to determine from consecutive load signals whether the consecutive load signals are indicative of a living rat or a dead rat on the floor. The effect hereof is that the rat, particularly its behavior and activity, can be studied over time. Further, it can be determined whether a dead rat is occupying the inner space and, thus, whether there is a need for removing a dead rat from the inner space.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is configured to determine from consecutive load signals whether the consecutive load signals are indicative of a trapped rat on the floor. The effect hereof is that the status of a trap placed on the floor in the inner space of the rat bait box can be determined. Thus, it can be determined whether there is a need for removing a trapped rat from the trap .

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is configured to determine a reduction in weight of the bait based on consecutive load signals. The effect hereof is that the status of the bait can be determined.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises radio frequency (RF) communication means coupled to the processor.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is wirelessly connected with a remote server via the RF communication means, the remote server is preferably a network server, most preferably a cloud server.

The processor may be wirelessly connected with the remote server via a wireless network further comprising a base station and a back-end server, which network is a network allowing for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. The network may be any IoT network. In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the remote server is wirelessly connected with a user device. The effect hereof is that the user device and the remote server can be communicatively connected. Thus, a user, e.g. a customer, provider, or pest control company, can access the remote server through the user device. The user device may further be wirelessly connected with the back-end server.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is configured to wirelessly communicate one or more load signals received from the sensor to the remote server for storing and/or processing of the one or more load signals, said one or more load signals preferably receiving a timestamp after transmittal of said one or more load signals from said processor. The processor may be configured to wirelessly communicate the one or more load signals to the remote server in real-time. The one or more load signals preferably each receive a timestamp when the one or more load signals are wirelessly transmitted from the processor to the remote server. Particularly, the one or more load signals each receive a timestamp when the one or more load signals are wirelessly transmitted from the processor via the back-end server to the remote server. Preferably, the time-stamping of each of the one or more load signals takes place when the one or more load signals are received by the back-end server. The effect of wirelessly communicating (transmitting) the one or more load signals received by the processor from the sensor to the remote server is that the one or more load signals can be stored and/or processed on the remote server and can be accessed by a user having a user device which is wirelessly and communicatively connected with the remote server. In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the one or more load signals transmitted to the remote server are processed on the remote server e.g. for determining whether the one or more load signals are indicative of a rat or other object such as e.g. a mouse, a snail, a frog, leaves, snow, bait, etc. being or having been present on the floor, for determining whether the one or more load signals are indicative of a living rat or a dead rat on the floor, for determining the status of a trap placed on the floor in the inner space of the rat bait box, and/or for determining the status of bait placed on the floor in the inner space of the rat bait box.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is configured to wirelessly transmit a message to the remote server when the presence of a rat on the floor has been determined. Further, the processor may be configured to wirelessly transmit a message to the remote server when the presence of another object, e.g. a mouse, on the floor has been determined.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is configured to wirelessly transmit one or more load signals to the remote server for determining based on the one or more load signals whether a reduction in weight of the bait has occurred. The determinization can be carried out by the remote server. In a possible implementation, the determinization is carried out by the processor in the rat bait box. In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor has a receive mode for receiving, for a predefined period of time, a signal from the remote server after the message has been transmitted to the remote server.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the processor is configured to receive an instruction signal from the remote server after transmitting the message to the remote server .

According to a second aspect there is provided a rat bait box comprising the apparatus according to the first aspect or any implementation thereof.

In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, the rat bait box comprises a lockable lid or door, the lid or door providing access to the inner space for removing or placing bait and/or a trap and/or for removing a dead rat. The bait may be poisonous or non-poisonous .

In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, the rat bait box comprises means for preventing inadvertent access into the inner space through the opening, the means for preventing inadvertent access preferably comprising plates forming a labyrinth. The effect hereof is to protect the inner space from the surroundings.

In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, the rat bait box is one of a plurality of rat bait boxes, wherein the plurality of rat bait boxes are wirelessly connected to a common remote server for storing and/or processing of one or more load signals transmitted from one or more of the rat bait boxes of the plurality of rat bait boxes, the remote server preferably being a network server, most preferably a cloud server.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of at least one of detecting, monitoring, controlling rat activity, placing poisonous or non-poisonous bait, and placing a trap, wherein the method comprises: detecting entry of a rat into an inner space in a rat bait box by detection means configured to detect entry of a rat into the inner space, the inner space being an inner space for receiving a rat and bait in the rat bait box, the inner space being formed by a housing of the rat bait box; sending an activation signal from said detection means to a processor in the rat bait box upon detecting entry of a rat into the inner space; issuing one or more load signals representative of the magnitude of a load or weight on a floor forming the bottom of the inner space, the one or more load signals being issued from a sensor connected to the floor; receiving and recording the one or more load signals from the sensor; processing the one or more load signals by processing means and determining from the one or more load signals whether a rat is or was present on the floor.

In a possible implementation form of the second or third aspect, the floor forming the bottom of the inner space is suspended or at least partially suspended.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises changing, for at least a predetermined time span, from a sleep mode of the processor to an operating mode of the processor upon the processor receiving the activation signal .

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises changing to the sleep mode after the predetermined time span has elapsed or when no activity is detected in the inner space.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises activating the sensor connected to the floor upon changing the processor changing to the operating mode.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises placing a poisonous bait or a trap in the inner space and/or in the inner space of a nearby rat box after determining from the one or more load signals that a rat has been present on the floor.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises placing a poisonous or nonpoisonous bait in the inner space after determining from the one or more load signals a reduction in weight of a bait on the floor.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises determining from consecutive load signals whether the consecutive load signals are indicative of a living rat or a dead rat on the floor.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises determining from consecutive load signals whether the consecutive load signals are indicative of a rat trapped in a trap on the floor.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises determining from the one or more load signals whether the one or more load signals are representative of a rat, a mouse, a snail, a frog, leaves, snow, bait, a trap, and/or other objects on the floor.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises transmitting a time-stamped message to a remote server via a wireless network, the message containing information about at least one of a load signal, entry of a rat into the inner space, reduction in weight of a poisonous or nonpoisonous bait on the floor, and location of the rat bait box.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises wirelessly communicating one or more load signals received from the sensor to a remote server for storing and/or processing of the one or more load signals, the remote server being preferably a network server, most preferably a cloud server.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises associating a timestamp with the one or more load signals after transmission of said one or more load signals from said processor. In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises wirelessly accessing the remote server from a user device.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises wirelessly transmitting a message to the remote server when the presence of a rat on the floor has been determined.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises wirelessly transmitting one or more load signals to the remote server for determining based on the one or more load signals whether a reduction in weight of the bait has occurred. The determinization can be carried out by the remote server. In a possible implementation, the determinization is carried out by the processor in the rat bait box.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises receiving an instruction signal from the remote server after the message has been transmitted to the remote server.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the method comprises determining whether the rat bait box is clogged, e.g. by snow or leaves. Further, the method may comprise determining e.g. whether the rat bait box has changed position, whether the rat bait box has been tampered with, whether the battery powering the sensor, the detection means, and/or the processor is low. According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for placing in a rat bait box, the rat bait box having a housing closing off an inner space for receiving a rat and bait, the housing being provided with an opening suitable to allow a rat to enter the inner space, the apparatus comprising

- a processor,

- an arrangement comprising a floor for forming the bottom of the inner space,

- the floor having a sensor,

- the processor having at least a sleep mode and an operating mode,

- the processor being configured to receive the one or more load signals from the sensor,

- detection means configured to detect entry of a rat into the inner space, the detection means being configured to send an activation signal to the processor upon detection of entry of a rat into the inner space,

- the processor being configured to change, for at least a predetermined time span, from the sleep mode to the operating mode upon receiving the activation signal from the detection means. According to a possible implementation of the fourth aspect the sensor has an active state and an inactive state, and wherein the and the processor is configured to activate the sensor upon changing to the operating mode.

According to a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the processor is configured to deactivate the sensor upon the processor changing to sleep mode. According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of at least one of detecting, monitoring, controlling rat activity, placing poisonous or non-poisonous bait, and placing a trap, wherein the method comprises: detecting entry of a rat into an inner space in a rat bait box, the inner space being an inner space for receiving a rat and bait in the rat bait box, the inner space being formed by a housing of the rat bait box; sending an activation signal to a processor in the rat bait box upon detecting entry of a rat into the inner space; issuing one or more load signals representative of the magnitude of a load or weight on a floor forming the bottom of the inner space, the one or more load signals being issued from a sensor connected to the floor; receiving and recording the one or more load signals from the sensor; processing the one or more load signals and determining from the one or more load signals whether a rat is or was present on the floor.

These and other aspects will be apparent from the embodiment ( s ) described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the aspects, embodiments, and implementations will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top view of a rat bait box with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment ;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the rat bait box of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top view of a rat bait box with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment ;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the rat bait box of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top view of a rat bait box with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment ;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the rat bait box of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic representation showing the components of an apparatus placed in an exemplary rat bait box, the interaction between the components of the apparatus, and the interaction between the components of the apparatus, a cloud server, and a user device in accordance with another embodiment ;

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for detecting, determining, and controlling rats; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a wireless network of rat bait boxes, base stations, a cloud server, and user devices in accordance with another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus and method described herein allow for automated and differentiated real-time detection, monitoring, and control of rat activity in an area of interest and for immediate response upon detection of pest activity using sensor technology installed in one or more rat bait boxes distributed in the area of interest and using IoT technology. Different kinds of activity occurring in the inner space of the one or more rat bait boxes are identified and distinguished between based on load signals.

Fig. 1 is a top view of a rat bait box 101 with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the rat bait box 101 of Fig. 1. The rat bait box 101 has a housing 108 closing off an inner space for receiving a rat and bait, which housing 108 is provided with at least one opening 106 shaped and sized to allow a rat to enter the inner space.

The rat bait box 101 comprises an apparatus placed in the rat bait box 101, which apparatus comprises an arrangement comprising a floor 102 for forming the bottom of the inner space. The floor is connected to a sensor 103. The sensor 103 is in an embodiment a load cell configured to issue one or more load signals representative of a load or weight on the floor 102. Further, the apparatus comprises a processor 109. The processor 109 has at least a sleep mode and an operating mode and is configured to receive the one or more load signals from the sensor 103. Further, the apparatus comprises detection means 111 configured to detect entry of a rat into the inner space. The detection means 111 are configured to send an activation signal to the processor 109 upon detection of entry of a rat or other animal, such as e.g. mice, into the inner space. Upon receiving the activation signal, the processor 109 changes, for at least a predetermined time span, from the sleep mode to the operating mode.

The apparatus is provided in the form of an insert inserted into the rat bait box 101 (in another embodiment, not shown, the apparatus is an integral part of a rat bait box) . Thus, the apparatus can be used in a plug-and-play fashion by inserting the apparatus into the rat bait box 101 and by, thereafter, operating the apparatus in the rat bait box 101. Thus, the apparatus can be retrofitted to existing rat bait boxes 101.

The floor 102 for forming the bottom of the inner space is suspended and is removable from the rat bait box 101. Suspension means 104, 105 in the form of bottom legs 105 and a top leg 104 for suspending the floor 102 are shown. The bottoms legs 105 and the top leg 104 stabilize the floor 102. The bottom legs 105 and the top leg 104 may be provided in the form of an aluminum profile that is stiff enough to not bend under load on the floor 102. The rat bait box comprises a possibly lockable lid 110 or door, which lid 110 or door provides access to the inner space for removing or placing bait and/or a trap and/or for removing a dead rat. Further, means for preventing inadvertent access into the inner space through the openings 106 are provided. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the means for preventing inadvertent access into the inner space are provided in the form of vertical plates 107 on the removable, suspended floor 102, which vertical plates 107 form walls extending vertically from the floor 102. The vertical plates 107 are arranged to form a labyrinth .

Fig. 3 is a top view of a rat bait box 101 with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment, and Fig. 4 is a side view of the rat bait box 101 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a top view of a rat bait box 101 with its top lid removed comprising an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a side view of the rat bait box 101 of Fig. 5. In both the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4 and the embodiment of Figs. 5 and 6, the means for preventing inadvertent access into the inner space are provided in the form of vertical plates 107 that are fixed to the housing of the rat bait box 101, which vertical plates 107 form walls extending from the housing of the rat bait box 101 and forming a labyrinth.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic representation showing the components of an apparatus placed in an exemplary rat bait box 101, the interaction between the components of the apparatus, and the interaction between the components of the apparatus, a cloud server 707, and a user device 708 in accordance with another embodiment .

The apparatus comprises a processor 109 that is connected to a transmitter 705 which in turn is connected to an antenna 706 for RF/wireless communication with a cloud server 707. The processor 109 is further connected to a GPS module 704, to a battery 703, to detection means 702, to a tamper sensor 701, and to a load cell 103.

The GPS module 704 sends a signal to the processor 109 informing the possessor 109 of the position of the apparatus. In another embodiment, no GPS module 704 is provided in the rat bait box 101. Instead, the GPS position of the rat bait box 101 is determined otherwise. For example, a user 709 present at the rat bait box 101 may determine the GPS position of the rat bait box 101 by using e.g. the GPS functionality of his mobile phone. The determined GPS position is then transmitted wirelessly from the user's phone to the cloud server 707 for storage and/or processing. The battery 703 supplies the processor 109 and the other electronic components with electrical power. The detection means 702 detects entry of an object, for example a rat, into the inner space of the rat bait box 101 and thereby wakes up the processor 109 from a sleep mode. The tamper sensor 701 detects unauthorized tampering with the rat bait box 101 and the apparatus and sends a signal to the processor 109 when a tampering event is detected. The load cell 103 measures the weight on the floor 102 and transmits one or more load signals representative of the weight on the floor 102 to the processor 109. The load cell 103 is powered when the processor 109 is in its active mode, and the load cell 103 is not powered when the processor 109 is in sleep mode.

A user device 708 is wirelessly connected to the cloud server 707. A user or operator 709 may access the cloud server 707 wirelessly from the user device 708 which may be e.g. a personal computer. The processor 109 is provided with a software that controls its functionality. The processor 109 is configured to receive an interrupt from the detection means 702 when the detection means 702 detects activity of an object in the inner space. Upon receipt of the interrupt, the processor 109 changes from sleep mode to active mode and starts powering the load cell 103. The processor 109 records the one or more load signals received from the load cell 103. The processor 109 transmits the one or more load signals to the cloud server 707 for determining whether the one or more load signals indicate a weight that corresponds to the presence of a rat. On the cloud server 707, the one or more load signals are associated with other information stored on the cloud server 707, e.g. information about the position of the rat bait box 101.

The cloud server 707 is configured to alert the user device 708 of a user or operator 709 when the presence of a rat has been determined based on the one or more load signals. The user 709 can review the information on the cloud server 707 or on his user device 708 and take appropriate action, such as sending another operator to the rat bait box 101 concerned to place a poisonous bait in the rat bait box 101.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for detecting, determining, and controlling rats. From the start of the method, the detection means 111 is allowed to detect entry of an object, e.g. a rat, into the inner space in a rat bait box 101 and to detect activity, particularly movement, of an object, e.g. a rat, in the inner space of a rat bait box 101. When the detection means 111 detects entry of an object into the inner space or activity in the inner space, step 801, the detection means 111 sends an activation signal to the processor 109, thereby activating the processor, step 802, i.e. the processor 109 changes from its sleep mode to its operating mode. The activated processor 109 activates the load cell in step 803.

Upon activation of the load cell 103, step 803, the load cell 103 issues one or more load signals representative of a load or weight on the floor 102 forming the bottom of the inner space, step 804. The one or more load signals are received and recorded by the processor 109, and the one or more load signals are processed in order to determine from the one or more load signals whether the one or more load signals are indicative of the presence of a rat on the floor 102, step 805.

In an embodiment, the one or more load signals are processed locally in the rat bait box 101 by the processor 109 in order to determine whether the one or more load signals are indicative of a rat being present or having been present on the floor 102. In another embodiment, the one or more load signals are processed externally on a remote server 707, e.g. a cloud server, for determining whether the one or more load signals are indicative of a rat being present or having been present on the floor 102.

In step 806, a poisonous (or non-poisonous ) bait or a trap is placed in the inner space in the rat bait box 101 by an operator 709 after it has been determined from the one or more load signals that a rat has been present on the floor 102. In step 806, the poisonous or nonpoisonous bait or trap can also be placed in any rat bait box in the vicinity of the rat bait box where the presence of the rat has been determined, i.e. the determination of the presence of rats does not only encompass the inner space of the rat bait box concerned but also covers the close proximity, which includes at least a radius of approximately 5 to 25 meters. In another embodiment, poisonous bait or a trap may be placed in the inner space in the rat bait box 101 by an operator 709 only after it has been determined that multiple rats have been present on the floor 102.

Regardless whether action is taken by the operator 709, the method returns to the loop of detecting activity.

The processor 109 is configured to change to sleep mode after a predetermined time span has elapsed or when no activity is detected any longer in the inner space by the detection means 111.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a wireless network of rat bait boxes 101, base stations 902, a cloud server 707, and user devices 708 in accordance with another embodiment. The rat bait boxes 101 form a plurality of rat bait boxes 101, which plurality of rat bait boxes 101 are wirelessly connected to a cloud server 707 through radio frequency (RF) means installed in each of the rat bait boxes 101, thus allowing for transfer of e.g. load signals from the rat bait boxes 101 to the cloud server 707 for storage and/or processing of the load signals and/or for allowing for transmittal of a message from one or more of the rat bait boxes 101 to the cloud server 707, e.g. indicating that a rat has been detected in the rat bait boxes 101 concerned. The cloud server 707 is connected to a wireless and/or fixed network with user devices 708, thus allowing users 709 to access the load signals stored and/or processed in the cloud server 707 and allowing users 709 to be notified that a rat has been detected in one or more of the rat bait boxes 101.

In an embodiment, the cloud server 707 is provided with software that is configured to control the logistics of operating the plurality of rat bait boxes 101. Thus, the software on the cloud server 707 will be configured to issue information about activity detected in one or more rat bait boxes 101 of a plurality of rat bait boxes 101 to an operator 709 that is responsible for managing the plurality of rat bait boxes 101 concerned.

The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed sub ect-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems .

The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An apparatus for placing in a rat bait box (101) , said rat bait box (101) having a housing (108) closing off an inner space for receiving a rat and bait, said housing (108) being provided with an opening (106) suitable to allow a rat to enter said inner space, said apparatus comprising:

- a processor (109),

- an arrangement comprising a floor (102) for forming the bottom of said inner space,

- said floor (102) having a sensor (103)

characterized by

- said processor (109) having at least a sleep mode and an operating mode,

- said floor (102) being connected to said sensor (103),

- said sensor (103) can be activated and deactivated, and said sensor (103) being configured to issue one or more load signals representative of the magnitude of a load or weight on said floor (102) to said processor (109),

- said processor (109) being configured to receive said one or more load signals from said sensor (103),

- detection means (111) configured to detect entry of a rat into said inner space,

- said detection means (111) being configured to send an activation signal to said processor (109) upon detection of entry of a rat into said inner space,

- said processor (109) being configured to change, for at least a predetermined time span, from said sleep mode to said operating mode upon receiving said activation signal from said detection means (111), and

said processor (109) being configured to activate said sensor (103) upon changing to said operating mode. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detection means (111) comprises a motion sensor, preferably at least one of a PIR sensor, an IR sensor, a vibration switch, an accelerometer, a gravity sensor, and a gyro sensor.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sensor (103) comprises a load cell.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, wherein said apparatus comprises radio frequency (RF) communication means (705, 706) coupled to said processor.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said processor (109) is wirelessly connected with a remote server (707) via said RF communication means (705, 706), said remote server being preferably a network server, most preferably a cloud server .

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said processor (109) is configured to wirelessly communicate one or more load signals received from said sensor (103) to said remote server (707) for storing and/or processing of said one or more load signals, said one or more load signals preferably receiving a timestamp after transmittal of said one or more load signals from said processor (109) .

7. A rat bait box (101) comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A method of at least one of detecting, monitoring, controlling rat activity, placing poisonous or non-poi sonous bait, and placing a trap, wherein said method comprises: detecting entry of a rat into an inner space in a rat bait box (101) by detection means (111) configured to detect entry of a rat into said inner space, said inner space being an inner space for receiving a rat and bait in said rat bait box

(101), said inner space being formed by a housing (108) of said rat bait box (101) ; sending an activation signal from said detection means (111) to a processor (109) in said rat bait box (101) upon detecting entry of a rat into said inner space; issuing one or more load signals representative of the magnitude of a load or weight on a floor (102) forming the bottom of said inner space, said one or more load signals being issued from a sensor (103) connected to said floor

(102) ; receiving and recording said one or more load signals from said sensor (103); processing said one or more load signals by processing means and determining from said one or more load signals whether a rat is or was present on said floor (102) .

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said method comprises placing a poisonous bait or a trap in said inner space and/or in the inner space of a nearby rat box after determining from said one or more load signals that a rat has been present on said floor (102) .

10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said method comprises wirelessly communicating one or more load signals received from said sensor (103) to a remote server (707) for storing and/or processing of said one or more load signals, said remote server (707) being preferably a network server, most preferably a cloud server.