WO1985002319A1

WO1985002319A1 - Apparatus for frightening noxious animals by means of acoustic signals

Info

Publication number: WO1985002319A1
Application number: PCT/DE1984/000122
Authority: WO
Inventors: Walter Landsrath; Klaus Piper
Original assignee: Hess, Petra
Priority date: 1983-11-29
Filing date: 1984-06-01
Publication date: 1985-06-06
Also published as: EP0162848A1

Abstract

The apparatus for frightening noxious animals comprises a programmable microprocessor (12) and an electro-acoustic transducer (21). The microprocessor (12) is directly or indirectly connected by means (14-20) to the acoustic signal emitting transducer. The microprocessor (12) and the means (14-20) are arranged so as to produce time variable acoustic signals which frighten noxious animals without disturbing human beings and domestic animals.

Description

Device for deterring animal pests using sound signals

The invention relates to a device for deterring animal pests by means of sound signals.

It is known to deter or drive away animal pests by means of acoustics, such as rattling, rattling, and gun shots. Here, however, after a long use of these acoustic means, the habit rather than the desired deterrent effect occurs, which is even curious in the case of intelligent animals. The known acoustic methods are therefore only effective in the long term.

Known mechanical devices, such as traps, which aim at the destruction of individual pests also belong to the above-mentioned type of devices. Here, however, there is a fundamental restriction that the destruction of individual pests does not impair their habitat, but rather improves it, so that compensation can be achieved for the destroyed animals by means of birth control mechanisms. In addition, intelligent animal breeds with pronounced social and communication behavior are so capable of learning that the known mechanical devices become ineffective in the long run.

The prior art methods for driving away or destroying pests with chemical agents ^* have the disadvantage that they are usually not very species-specific and can therefore cause uncontrollable unintentional damage to other animal species or even humans. In addition, physiological resistance formation can also frequently be observed in the animals to be destroyed or driven away. Finally, methods and devices are known which attract certain animal pests in order to subsequently catch or destroy them in a trap. Such a combined method, which belongs to the prior art, makes use of a sound transmitter which is set up in such a way that the youngsters are emitted sounds which attract at least one harmful animal species in order to lead the animals to a trap (DE-OS 29 16 743). This method takes advantage of the species-specific effects of sound signals on certain animal species. In particular, according to this method, by specifying the sounds or sounds that are sent, the aim is that especially the youngest reproductive animals of a population are addressed in order to reduce the development of resistance. However, since the aim of these combined methods is to destroy animals by mechanical or chemical means, these are _. The fundamental disadvantages of mechanical devices and chemical control methods discussed above are not excluded.

It is also known that a number of animal species, such as rats, are particularly sensitive to ultrasound.

In the long run, however, adequate control is also not possible since the animals become dull compared to the essentially unchanged ultrasound signals.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of combating animal pests by means of deterrence and displacement in such a way that no habituation effect occurs in the long term. This deterrence and displacement should take place as selectively as possible for certain pests and, in particular, should also be effective in those types of pests which are otherwise difficult to combat because of their pronounced communication and social behavior and relatively high intelligence. Harmful effects on other animal species, objects,

OMPI such as food and people, should be reliably avoided.

This object is achieved by the invention specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

According to the invention, a small and light microcomputer is used to determine adjustable variable frequencies and tone sequence intervals that are matched to the specific animal species to be sold or several such animal species, in order to be able to, in conjunction with an electroacoustic transducer to produce constantly varying sound pollution for these animal species, which causes their withdrawal. In order to program such frequencies and tone sequence intervals and, if necessary, volume differences, generally gained knowledge about the perception and generation of high tones in small mammals can also be used (Prof. N.-C. Juhr, ultrasound sounds from rats Indices for a behavioral assessment in: Tierlaboratorium 4, 1977, page 240, ed. Specialization for laboratory animal science and laboratory animal diseases of the FU Berlin; S. Grüner Comparative noise level measurement and frequency analysis in the animal laboratory, Veterinär Diss., Berlin, 1982). The use of the microcomputer or an equivalent microcontroller for specifying the frequencies, tone sequence intervals and volumes offers the advantages, in particular, that with small, cheap and robust devices, a wide range of frequencies, tone sequence intervals and volumes can be varied can be made available, from which the most suitable parameters for deterring certain animal species can be selected and which can be continuously changed automatically over a very wide range.

Preferably, the microcomputers and possibly other means for electronic vibration generation connected to them are set up in such a way that the electro-acoustic

Ersaizblatt transducers see sound signals are emitted practically completely in the ultrasonic frequency range. - This particularly prevents annoyance to people.

A particularly reliable and inexpensive measure to reduce the habituation effects of the animal pests is that the microcomputer according to claim 3 comprises a random generator which varies the parameters, the pitch, volume and intervals of the tone sequences in a non-repetitive manner.

According to claim 4, the further means for electronic vibration generation can be realized by analog electronics controlled by the microcomputer.

A can also be used to generate the tone sequences _. Microcontroller used.

All electronic means, including the microcomputers and microcontrollers, are preferably implemented in low-power technology, in particular in CMOS technology, in order to promote the mobile use of the devices.

With the battery operation that makes sense, the devices are easy to transport and can be used flexibly. Such stationary devices also work reliably in the event of a power failure.

If the device according to claim 17 is equipped with a rechargeable accumulator instead of dry batteries, a power supply unit can additionally be provided which charges the battery and supplies the electronics with power as long as the device is connected to an intact power supply. In the event of a fault, the accumulator then takes over the power supply to the device, so that operation is not interrupted. Particularly advantageously, the microcomputer can be switchable in such a way that the normally inaudible sound sequences in the ultrasound range can be implemented for setting the device and checking it for a sound range that can be heard by humans.

In the development according to claim 8, the device for emitting deterrent sound signals can only be activated when a signal transmitter connected to the device responds to the presence of certain pests. The signal generator can also be arranged in the device. Among other things, this has the advantageous effect that the pests do not settle at a tolerable distance from the sound source, but are driven away by intensive sound signals when they come closer together.

A system consisting of the devices is expediently set up in such a way that the devices emit their specific tone sequences completely independently of one another. The lack of coordination of these individual tone sequences additionally counteracts a habituation effect in a less complex manner. Since each individual device is relatively inexpensive, it is particularly suitable for modular use in a system independent of central electronics. This also promotes the flexibility and mobility of the system.

A particularly expedient implementation of the means for electronic vibration generation connected to the microcomputer is specified in claim 10.

According to claim 11, a handy, robust device is created that can be flexibly and conveniently handled at the different

Spare sheet can be used in the most varied of locations and can also reliably deter or repel animal pests with great reliability. The device is also suitable for use in larger pest control systems.

For deterring pests, the device has an increased effectiveness compared to known devices in that compact electronic components and an electroacoustic transducer are accommodated largely in a form-fitting manner in a portable pocket-sized housing.

Since each individual device is also not very expensive, it is particularly suitable for modular use in a system independent of central electronics. This also promotes the flexibility and mobility of the system.

This system is expediently set up so that the devices radiate their specific sound sequences completely independently of one another. The lack of coordination of these individual tone sequences additionally counteracts a habituation effect in a less complex manner.

With the electronic device, deterrence and displacement are carried out selectively for certain pests. In particular, it is also effective for those types of pests that are otherwise difficult to combat due to their pronounced communication and social behavior and relatively high intelligence. Harmful effects on other animal species, objects such as e.g. Food, and people, are avoided.

Further advantageous features of the device and its fastening device, which facilitate the use of the device, are specified in claims 12-16.

_OMPI The invention is explained below with reference to a drawing with 3 figures. Show it:

La is a perspective view of the interior of the device with the rear wall removed,

1b, the associated rear wall,

Fig. 2 is a simplified circuit diagram.

In FIG. 1 a, a rectangular housing 1 made of plastic has a sound-permeable front side 2, to which an electro-acoustic transducer 3 is attached in the interior of the housing. The electroacoustic transducer can be designed as a piezo-ultrasonic transducer.

A plate 4, on which a microcomputer module 5 is attached, is furthermore positively inserted into the interior of the housing. In addition to the microcomputer module 5 there is at least one further module 6 which contains further means for the electronic generation of vibrations.

Dry batteries 7 are used in a remaining part of the housing.

The entire housing can thus be made extremely compact and easily portable in pocket format.

A rear wall 8, which is shown in FIG. 1b, belongs to the housing. The rear wall fits positively on the back of the housing 1. Tongues 9 on the rear wall, which can snap into corresponding grooves 10 in the housing, fix the rear wall in the housing.

On the outside of the rear wall there is a fastening

a supply strip 11 attached, with which the device can be conveniently attached to a suitable location for sound. The fastening strip can be designed as an adhesive strip or like a Velcro for fastening to fabrics. - In a variant of the fastening strip, this consists of permanent magnetic material to enable fastening to ferromagnetic objects.

The arrangement of the electrical elements of the device shown in FIG. 2 has as its main component a microcomputer 12, which is contained in the microcomputer module 5 in FIG. The microcomputer is preferably implemented using CMOS technology. Instead of the microcomputer, an equivalent microcontroller can be provided, which also forms a module.

The microcomputer or microcontroller is programmed in such a way that, in conjunction with the electronic elements still to be discussed, it generates oscillations of variable frequency and with different tone sequence intervals which are matched to the deterrence or displacement of specific animal pests.

An output line 13 of the microcomputer 12 is connected to a control input of a transistor 14. The transistor 14 is designed as a Darlington transistor and has a very high current gain.

Output side, i.e. at a collector connection, a primary winding 15 of a transformer 16 is connected to the transistor 14. In the latter circuit there is also a capacitor 17 which is fed via a resistor 18 from a current source, not shown in FIG. 2, at terminal 19. The current source is in particular the battery 7 in Fig. La.

OMPI A piezo-ultrasonic transducer 21 is connected to a secondary winding 20 of the transformer and can generate a large sound pressure at a high transformed voltage.

The elements 14-20 described above represent the further means for electronic vibration generation.

The transistor 14 is controlled in accordance with the frequency and tone sequence interval program of the microcomputer, so that it briefly draws a high current through the primary winding 15 of the transformer from the capacitor 17. The voltage transformed in accordance with the current surge is fed into the piezo-ultrasonic transducer 21 in order to generate a sound pressure curve corresponding to the electrical oscillation, which - according to the programming of the microcomputer 12 - scares and drives away the undesirable animals. The frequencies and tone sequence intervals as well as, if necessary, volume levels are variable by a random generator in the microcomputer 12 and are not repetitive, so that the deterrent and expulsion effect of the device are particularly high.

ΪREA OMPI

Replacement sheet for ^WIPO

Claims

Claims:

1. Device for deterring animal pests by means of sound signals, characterized in that a freely programmable microcomputer (12), if necessary in connection with other connected devices ___. N (14 - 20) for the electronic generation of vibrations and with an electroacoustic transducer (piezo-ultrasonic transducer 21 ) is set up so that time-varying sound signals can be generated.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the microcomputer (12) which is optionally verbun¬ with him which further comprises means. (14-20) practically completely ab¬ for electronic vibration generation to the generation of signals in the ultrasonic frequency range determined s ^* ind.

3. Device according to claims 1 and 2, that the microcomputer (12) comprises a random generator which does not vary the constantly changing parameters of tone sequences repetitively.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that an analog electronics (means 14 - 20) can be controlled by the microcomputer (12) for sound generation.

5. Device according to claims 1 to 4, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that both for controlling the parameters of the sound signals and for generating the corresponding tones

- JREA

OMPI least a microcomputer is provided.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, so that the microcomputer (12) and possibly the further means (14-20) for generating vibrations are implemented in CMOS technology.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, so that the microcomputer (12) can be switched arbitrarily into an operating state by the sound sequences generated being transposed into an audible sound range for humans.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, that the device can be activated with a signal transmitter which responds to the presence of certain pests.

9. System consisting of several devices according to claims 1 to 8, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the devices for the delivery of specific To follow not functionally related to each other.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that further means for electronic vibration generation comprise a Darlington transistor (14) which can be controlled via the microcomputer (12), and a transformer (16), the primary winding ( 15) on the one hand with an output of the Darlington transistor

replacement (14) and a powered from a power source Kon¬ capacitor (17) is in communication and whose secondary winding ^■ (20) to (21) formed electro-acoustic transducer is connected as a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer.

11. Device for deterring animal pests by means of sound signals, in particular according to one of claims 1-10, characterized in that in a portable housing (1) in pocket size the electroacoustic transducer (piezo-ultrasonic transducer 21) on a permeable Wall (2) is arranged and that the housing (1) largely form-fitting a circuit board (plate 4) with a microcomputer module (5) and at least one battery (7).

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z ei c h n e t that on the board (plate 4) in the device at least one further module (6) is arranged with means for electronic vibration generation.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, so that the housing (1) has an external holder (fastening strip 11).

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the bracket (mounting strip 11) from one

There is adhesive tape.

15. Apparatus according to claim ^'13, characterized. that the bracket (mounting strip 11) consists of a permanent magnet.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the bracket (mounting strip 11) is designed Kletten¬-like.

17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that a rechargeable battery is arranged in the housing instead of the battery (7).

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