BAIT SCALE DEVICE AND REMOTE MONITORING DEVICE CONFIGURED TO RECEIVE SIGNALS FROM A BAIT SCALE DEVICE

Abstract

A bait scale device (2) and a remote monitoring device (16) are provided. The bait scale device (2) comprises a bait holder (4) for receiving a bait product: an electronic weighing unit (7): a power source (9) providing electric power: a timing device (11.1) and signaling means (11.1, 12). The electronic weighing unit (7) is configured to measure the weight of the bait held by the bait holder (4) and the timing device (11.1) is configured to activate the power source (9) and trigger a weight measurement by the electronic weighing unit (7) in predetermined time intervals. The signaling means (11.1, 12) are configured to generate a signal (17) corresponding to the measured weight and transmit said signal (17) to a remote monitoring device (16). The remote monitoring device (16) is configured to receive signals (17) corresponding to a measured weight from said bait scale device (2).

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. Bait scale device comprising: a bait holder for receiving a bait product; an electronic weighing unit configured to measure the weight of a bait held by the bait holder; a power source providing electric power; a timing device configured to activate the power source and trigger a weight measurement by the electronic weighing unit in predetermined time intervals; and signaling means configured to generate a signal corresponding to the measured weight and transmit said signal to a remote monitoring device.

17. Bait scale device according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined time intervals are adjustable.

18. Bait scale device according to claim 16, wherein the signaling means are configured to operate with at least one signaling option out of a group, the group consisting of wireless LAN, wireless mobile telecommunication and low-power wide-area network.

19. Bait scale device according to claim 16, wherein the signal comprises at least one of a weight of the bait and a change in weight of the bait.

20. Bait scale device according to claim 16, wherein the signal comprises additional data, wherein the additional data is at least one out of a group, the group consisting of position data, weather data, bait scale device identifier and bait take time.

21. Bait scale device according to claim 16, wherein the signal comprises an alert signal if the weight of the bait falls below a predetermined weight alert threshold and/or the change in weight of the bait exceeds a predetermined weight change alert threshold.

22. Bait scale device according to claim 16, wherein the signaling means are configured for transmitting the signal in predetermined transmit time intervals.

23. Bait scale device according to claim 16, wherein the signaling means are configured for transmitting the signal if the weight of the bait falls below a predetermined weight threshold and/or the change in weight of the bait exceeds a predetermined weight change threshold.

24. Bait scale device according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined weight threshold and/or the predetermined weight change threshold are adjustable.

25. Bait scale device according to claim 16, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery, wherein the bait scale device comprises a wireless charging connection.

26. Bait scale device according to claim 16, wherein the signaling means are configured for transmitting a signal if the charge of the battery falls below a predetermined charge threshold.

27. Bait scale device according to claim 16, wherein a size of the bait scale device is such that the bait scale device fits into rodent bait stations, wherein a length of the bait scale device is equal to or less than 140 mm; a width of the bait scale device is equal to or less than 85 mm; and a height of the bait scale device is equal to or less than 90 mm.

28. Remote monitoring device configured to receive signals corresponding to a measured weight from a bait scale device according to claim 16 and configured to display weights of the bait.

29. Remote monitoring device according to claim 28, further configured to trigger an alert if the weight of the bait falls below a predetermined weight alert threshold and/or the change in weight of the bait exceeds a predetermined weight change alert threshold.

30. Remote monitoring device according to claim 28, further configured to evaluate a plurality of signals corresponding to the measured weight.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated further with reference to the embodiments described by way of examples in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a rodent bait station with a bait scale device;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a bait scale device;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of a bait scale device; and

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a modular baiting system.

[0040] It should be noted that some of the figures are purely diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. In the figures, elements which correspond to elements already described may have the same reference numerals. Examples, embodiments or optional features, whether indicated as non-limiting or not, are not to be understood as limiting the invention as claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a rodent bait station 1 with a bait scale device 2. The rodent bait station 1 is a standard rodent bait station 1 configured to accommodate a mechanical rat snap trap. Instead of the rat snap trap, the bait scale device 2 is placed. This is possible since the size of the bait scale device 2 is such that it fits into rodent bait stations 1, i.e., its length is equal to or less than 140 mm, its width is equal to or less than 85 mm and its height equal to or less than 90 mm. The rodent bait station 1 itself is tamper-proof and exhibits two access points 3 through which rodents may enter the rodent bait station 1. Inside the rodent bait station 1, the rodents may consume bait. The weight of the bait is measured by the bait scale device 2 and transmitted to a remote monitoring device. There, the measured weight of the bait can be used, e.g., to determine when bait has to be refilled and/or to determine the degree of rodent infestation.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a bait scale device 2. The bait scale device 2 comprises a bait holder 4 which is configured to receive a bait product. In this embodiment, the bait holder 4 comprises two pairs of hangers 5 such that two skewers loaded with bait may be supported by the respective pairs of hangers 5. Other bait holders 4 such as simple trays on which the bait may be put may be used instead of the bait holder 4 shown in this Figure. The bait scale device 2 further comprises a base unit 6 that houses the electronics. The base unit 6 will be described in more detail in FIG. 3.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of a bait scale device 2. Here, the bait holder 4 comprises only 2 hangers 5, such that only one skewer loaded with bait may be supported between the hangers 5.

[0044] The base unit 6 houses the electronics of the bait scale device 2. In particular, it houses an electronic weighing unit 7 which is configured to measure the weight of the bait held by the bait holder 4. In the present embodiment, the weight of the bait holder 4 loaded with the bait bends a deformable part 8 of the electronic weighing unit 7. The amount of bending, which increases as the weight of the bait increases, is measured by the electronic weighing unit 7 and hence the weight of the bait is determined. Other electronic weighing units 7, such as electronic weighing units 7 based on a pressure detection, may also be used instead of the electronic weighing unit 7 described here.

[0045] The base unit 6 further comprises a power source 9. The power source 9 provides electric power to the electronics of the bait scale device 2. According to the present embodiment, the power source 9 is a fixed, rechargeable battery and may be charged via a cable, in particular a USB-C cable, connecting at a charging port 10. Other possible embodiments may feature a wireless charging option, transferring the electric energy, e.g., by magnetic induction. Yet other possible embodiments may feature replaceable batteries. While this saves the time needed for charging, the base unit 6 has to be opened to replace the batteries.

[0046] Among the electronics of the base unit 6 is a circuit board 11. The circuit board 11 comprises a timing device 11.1. The timing device 11.1 is configured to activate the power source 9 and trigger a weight measurement by the electronic weighing unit 7 in predetermined time intervals. Since the power source 9 is activated only at the predetermined time intervals, the bait scale device is idle for a majority of the time and active only for relatively short time periods. Hence, the power source 9 may last for one year or even longer.

[0047] The circuit board 11 further comprises a signal generation unit 11.2 which is configured to generate a signal corresponding to the weight of the bait measured by the weighing unit 7. The signal generated by the signal generation unit 11.2 is then amplified by an amplifier 12 and transmitted to a remote monitoring device.

[0048] The base unit 6 further comprises a communication port 13, enabling wired communication between the bait scale device and, e.g., a smart phone or a laptop computer. Via said wired communication, the predetermined time intervals and/or other parameters of the bait scale device may be adjusted. Additionally or alternatively, said communication may also be performed via the charging port 10 or via a wireless connection. The predetermined time intervals may be adjusted, e.g., based on a current rodent infestation status. If, for example, no or only few rodents have been detected in a vicinity of the bait scale device 2, a long-term monitoring of the rodents with time intervals of one day to one week is sufficient. If, on the other hand, there has been a rodent outbreak in the vicinity, shorter time intervals such as one hour should be used to provide a closer monitoring.

[0049] The bait scale device 2 may comprise an additional power source (not shown here) providing electric power to the timing device 11.1. Said additional power source may be, in particular, a long-life battery. Since the timing device 11.1 is powered by the additional power source, the power source 9 may be completely turned off while the bait scale device 2 is idle, which further improves the endurance of the power source 9.

[0050] The timing device 11.1 may be directly connected to the power source 9. The power consumption of the timing device 11.1 in a direct connection to the power source 9 is very low. Further, the timing device 11.1 may have a connection to the electric circuit or electric circuits in which the electronic weighing unit 7, the signal generation unit 11.2 and/or the amplifier 12 are arranged, in particular to an electronic switch in said electric circuit(s). That way, the power source 9 may be activated for the electronic weighing unit 7, the signal generation unit 11.2 and/or the amplifier 12 by the timing device 11.1, while there is only very little electric energy consumption by the timing device 11.1 in the idle state of the bait scale device 2.

[0051] An on/off switch 14 provided on a front side of the base unit 6 allows turning the bait scale device 2 on and off. Turning the bait scale device 2 off while it is not in use is advantageous, since it saves battery power and prevents the bait scale device 2 from transmitting signals that do not correspond to an actual baiting use of the bait scale device 2.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a modular baiting system 15 comprising a plurality of rodent bait stations 1 with bait scale devices 2 and a remote monitoring device 16. The remote monitoring device 16 is shown as a smart phone but may as well be a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a computer or a web server. The remote monitoring device 16 is configured to receive the signals 17 generated and transmitted by the bait scale devices 2.

[0053] The weights of the bait measured by the bait scale devices 2 and received by the remote monitoring device 16 may be used in a variety of ways. As an example, bait weights at the different bait scale devices 2 may be checked. The weights of the bait or changes in the weights of the bait may also be displayed on a map, indicating the weights or changes in weight for the different bait scale devices 2, such that, e.g., areas with a high pest infestation may be easily recognized. Also, alerts may be triggered based on the received bait weight measurements. As an example, if the weight of the bait falls below a predetermined weight alert threshold, an alert is triggered to notify a technician to refill the bait at the corresponding rodent bait station 1. As another example, if the combined weight of the bait of a plurality or all of the bait stations falls below a predetermined weight alert threshold, an alert is triggered to notify a user to reorder bait products. As yet another example, if the change in weight of the bait exceeds a predetermined weight change alert threshold, an alert is triggered to notify a user of a possible emerging rodent infestation.

[0054] It has to be noted that embodiments of the invention are described with reference to different subject matters. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to method type claims whereas other embodiments are described with reference to the device type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the following description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter also any combination between features relating to different subject matters is considered to be disclosed with this application. However, all features can be combined providing synergetic effects that are more than the simple summation of the features.

[0055] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing a claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent 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 fulfil the functions of several items re-cited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are re-cited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.