A combination of a visual warning cue and a conspicuous auditory warning cue acts synergistically to reduce bird strike frequency against a man-made structure. Methods and systems are described for providing said combination of warning cues when a bird is within a warning zone. The auditory warning cue entails at least two separate sonic pulses within one second when the bird is within the warning zone, and is defined by an intensity-weighted frequency average of between 6 kHz and 18 kHz, and an intensity at a location within the warning zone of at least 70 decibels.

A combination of a visual warning cue and a conspicuous auditory warning cue acts synergistically to reduce bird strike frequency against a man-made structure. Methods and systems are described for providing said combination of warning cues when a bird is within a warning zone. The auditory warning cue entails at least two separate sonic pulses within one second when the bird is within the warning zone, and is defined by an intensity-weighted frequency average of between 6 kHz and 18 kHz, and an intensity at a location within the warning zone of at least 70 decibels.

An apparatus for automatically deterring pest with a light projection on the ground that is perceived as a predator by pests such as birds, which triggers a fear reaction from the birds to leave the area. The apparatus is designed to project a large beam of more than 60 mm diameter in visible light with sufficient power to be seen during daylight. The apparatus is adapted to pan and tilt continuously and randomly within specified limits that are programmed to project the beam in various areas and protect the areas from birds. The apparatus relies on a robotic arm or orientable support mounted on a frame that can be displaced or repositioned easily thanks to a forklift. Methods for activating and controlling the apparatus are also provided.

An apparatus for automatically deterring pest with a light projection on the ground that is perceived as a predator by pests such as birds, which triggers a fear reaction from the birds to leave the area. The apparatus is designed to project a large beam of more than 60 mm diameter in visible light with sufficient power to be seen during daylight. The apparatus is adapted to pan and tilt continuously and randomly within specified limits that are programmed to project the beam in various areas and protect the areas from birds. The apparatus relies on a robotic arm or orientable support mounted on a frame that can be displaced or repositioned easily thanks to a forklift. Methods for activating and controlling the apparatus are also provided.

Most of the time, the disclosed plant husbandry and food preparation apparatus encloses a garden plant, such that the plant is protected on all sides from animals. It may comprise a planter in which the plant is grown, a cage that is attached to the lip of the planter, and a dome containing apertures, which is seated atop the cage. The seated dome may be opened, while the dome is still attached to the cage, allowing the gardener to harvest produce. The opened dome is configured for use as a receptacle into which the harvested produce is deposited. The dome is also configured to be effortlessly detachable from the remainder of the apparatus, so that produce within it may be conveniently transported and rinsed. The dome may also be configured to serve as a strainer/steamer basket and as support for an auxiliary irrigation and/or animal deterrence system.

Most of the time, the disclosed plant husbandry and food preparation apparatus encloses a garden plant, such that the plant is protected on all sides from animals. It may comprise a planter in which the plant is grown, a cage that is attached to the lip of the planter, and a dome containing apertures, which is seated atop the cage. The seated dome may be opened, while the dome is still attached to the cage, allowing the gardener to harvest produce. The opened dome is configured for use as a receptacle into which the harvested produce is deposited. The dome is also configured to be effortlessly detachable from the remainder of the apparatus, so that produce within it may be conveniently transported and rinsed. The dome may also be configured to serve as a strainer/steamer basket and as support for an auxiliary irrigation and/or animal deterrence system.

This invention pertains to UV-absorbing coatings that may optionally be covered with an anti-reflective layer and that are applied to exterior-facing surfaces such as a window or other glass surface that are transparent or translucent. Such coatings are visible to various species of birds, but are generally transparent to humans. The UV absorbing coatings have a silane- or silane-derived chromophore or a combination of a silane- or siloxane-based material and a chromophore, which chromophores absorb UV light at about 300 to about 400 nm. More particularly, the silane- or siloxane-based chromophore is 2-hydroxy-4-(3-triethoxysilylpropoxy) diphenylketone or a derivative thereof.

This invention pertains to UV-absorbing coatings that may optionally be covered with an anti-reflective layer and that are applied to exterior-facing surfaces such as a window or other glass surface that are transparent or translucent. Such coatings are visible to various species of birds, but are generally transparent to humans. The UV absorbing coatings have a silane- or silane-derived chromophore or a combination of a silane- or siloxane-based material and a chromophore, which chromophores absorb UV light at about 300 to about 400 nm. More particularly, the silane- or siloxane-based chromophore is 2-hydroxy-4-(3-triethoxysilylpropoxy) diphenylketone or a derivative thereof.

A method and apparatus for repelling insects with compound eyes employs diffraction gratings formed in movable structures, such as conventional compact discs (CDs), to create moving diffraction patterns of light from ambient light, or light from specially provided light sources, impinging on the gratings. The CDs may be suspended in a housing or frame that may be open at its sides or closed by transparent glass or plastic walls. For open sided housings the suspended CDs may be caused to turn or twist by ambient air currents or by a motor located in the housing and connected to rotate or turn the CDs. When the housing is fully closed, the motor drive effects movement of the CDs. The resulting moving light diffraction patterns repel insects having compound eyes.

A method and apparatus for repelling insects with compound eyes employs diffraction gratings formed in movable structures, such as conventional compact discs (CDs), to create moving diffraction patterns of light from ambient light, or light from specially provided light sources, impinging on the gratings. The CDs may be suspended in a housing or frame that may be open at its sides or closed by transparent glass or plastic walls. For open sided housings the suspended CDs may be caused to turn or twist by ambient air currents or by a motor located in the housing and connected to rotate or turn the CDs. When the housing is fully closed, the motor drive effects movement of the CDs. The resulting moving light diffraction patterns repel insects having compound eyes.