A TRAP WITH A NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of near-field communication for retrieving and/or transmitting information to and/or from a rechargeable rodent trap, with a spring driven and/or gas pressure driven killing means to a handheld computer, such as a smartphone or tablet, wherein said information comprises data about the number of activations of said killing means, preferably time stamped, and identification number of said trap.

Claims

1. A method of using near-field communication for retrieving and/or transmitting information to and/or from a rechargeable rodent trap, with a spring driven and/or gas pressure driven killing means to a handheld computer, wherein said information comprises data about a number of activations of said killing means and an identification number of said trap.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said activations are time-stamped and said information further comprises data about service updates, service instructions and/or geographic location.

3. A rechargeable trap (100) comprising: a housing with an entrance (110) leading to a kill zone chamber (170); a spring driven and/or gas pressure driven killing means (180) adapted for operating within said kill zone chamber (170); a trigger mechanism (120) adapted to activate said killing means (180); a sensor unit configured for determining a number of kills by monitoring a number of triggers of the killing means; at least one control unit (150) connected to said sensor unit, wherein said control unit (150) comprises at least one data collection device adapted to collect measurement data acquired from said sensor unit; wherein said control unit (150) further comprises at least one wireless near-field communication device (152) adapted to transmit measurement data about a number of activations of said killing means (180), wherein each activation is time stamped, and an identification number of said trap.

4. The rechargeable trap (100) according to claim 3, wherein said near-field communication device (152) is adapted for being turned in multiple directions.

5. The rechargeable trap (100) according to claim 3, wherein said near-field communication device (152) comprises an antenna (154) adapted for being turned in multiple directions.

6. The rechargeable trap (100) according to claim 3 further comprising a detachable lure and/or bait chamber (140) directly or indirectly connected to said kill zone chamber (170); and wherein said control unit (150) is connected to said lure and/or bait chamber (140).

7. The rechargeable trap (100) according to claim 6, wherein said control unit (150) or said lure and/or bait chamber (140) is adapted for being turned in multiple directions.

8. The rechargeable trap (100) according to claim 6, wherein said lure and/or bait chamber (140) is adapted for being rotated relative to said kill zone chamber (170); wherein said near-field communication device (152) comprises an antenna (154) positioned at an oblique angle relative to the lure and/or bait chamber’s axis of rotation.

9. The trap (100) according to claim 8, wherein a wall of said kill zone chamber (170) is configured with a ring-shaped opening (172); wherein said lure and/or bait chamber (140) is configured with a ring-shaped opening (146), and wherein said ring-shaped openings (172, 146) are adapted to couple and rotate relative to one another.

10. The rechargeable trap (100) according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (150) comprises a housing and where a part of the housing is shaped as a prismatoid, such as a prism, a pyramid, an antiprism, a cupola, or a frustum; wherein the control unit (150) further comprises an antenna (154), and wherein said antenna (154) is positioned along a single side wall (153) defining said prismatoid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a trap in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0027] FIGS. 2A and 2B shows two different spatial positions of the antenna of the NFC device;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective of a trap in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; and

[0029] FIG. 4 is an exemplary circuit of an NFC device with antenna embedded in the communication unit.

TABLE-US-00001 References 100 Trap 110 Entrance 120 Trigger rod 130 Gas tank 140 Lure and/or bait chamber 142 Container/insert 150 Control unit 151 Housing 152 NFC device 153 Flange 154 Antenna 155 Side wall 156 Battery 160 Spring 170 Kill zone chamber 180 Piston or spear 190 Insert

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a trap in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The trap 100 is here shown with a killing means in the form of a piston or spear 180. The piston or spear 180 is both gas driven, and spring driven. The gas tank 130 and the spring 160 are shown. The piston or spear 180 is shown in a retracted position and is activated by the trigger rod 120 (trigger mechanism). The piston or spear 180 is preferably made from a polymeric material that is preferably injection mouldable, such as plastic, e.g. polyethylene, polyoxymethylene, or polyethylene. The piston or spear 180 could though be made of metal, such as steel or the like. The trap 100 also comprises a housing with an entrance 110 leading to a kill zone chamber 170, wherein, in this embodiment, the trigger rod 120 is positioned. The kill zone chamber 170 is where the target animal is killed. A detachable lure and/or bait chamber 140 is directly connected to the kill zone chamber 170. A container 142 for lure and/or bait may be seen positioned within the lumen of the lure and/or bait chamber 140. A control unit 150 is shown attached to the lure and/or bait chamber 140. The control unit 150 comprises a battery 156 driven wireless near-field communication device 152 with an antenna 154. A part of the control unit’s housing 151 is shaped as a pentagonal prism, and the antenna 154 is positioned along one of the five side walls of said prism. The other part of the housing 151 is configured as a flange adapted for being coupled to the lure and/or bait chamber 140. However, this part could alternatively be shaped as any suitable type of fastening means. The important part of the housing 151 is the prismatoid shaped part that can be rotated, thereby allowing for different spatial positions for the antenna 154. In FIG. 2A, the wall 153 supporting the antenna is pointing downwards, and in FIG. 2B the same wall 153 is pointing upwards. The two different positions are possible because the lure and/or bait chamber 140, onto which the control unit 150 is attached, can be rotated relative to the kill zone chamber 170. FIG. 4 is an exemplary circuit of a near-field communication device with antenna embedded in the communication unit.

[0031] In FIG. 1, an insert 190 is positioned (releasably fastened) within the kill zone chamber 170 and in front of the trigger rod 120. The intention is that only targeted animals can reach the trigger rod 120. Hence, the insert 190 is adapted for restricting the height and width of the part of the kill zone chamber 170, where the trigger rod 120 is positioned. The insert may be selected from a kit of inserts, each adapted for targeting a specific animal/specie.