System and method for pest detection
View Patent ↗Systems and methods for detecting presence and movement of pests. Various embodiments of a pest detection system can be based on, for example, a beam-interrupt detector or a thermal imaging device. The beam-interrupt detection based system can provide functionalities such as counting of pests crossing a given beam. A plurality of such beams at different heights can also allow distinguishing different sized pests. The thermal imaging based detection system can provide functionalities such as tracking movement of pests. A recording can be triggered by detection of pest movement, thereby improving the efficiency of recording and reviewing information indicative of presence and movement of pests in a monitored area. Movement of pests can be monitored on a passive basis, or by providing a stimulus that induces movement.
1. A system for detecting pests, comprising:
a camera configured to produce first and second digital images; and
a processor provided to said camera, said processor configured to examine said first and second digital images to detect a movement of one or more pests by determining movement of a pest-sized object in said first and second images, wherein said system is configured to suspend pest detection when motion is detected by a motion detector.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an illumination source configured to at least partially illuminate a field of view of said camera.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said illumination source comprises an infrared source.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein said illumination source comprises an ultraviolet source.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said camera comprises a zoom feature controlled by said processor.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said camera comprises a pan feature controlled by said processor.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said processor is configured to control said camera by using wireless communication.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein said processor is configured to count said one or more pests.
9. The system claim 1 , wherein said camera is configured to identify said one or more pests at least in part by measuring a size of said pest in said first image.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein said camera is configured to identify said one or more pests at least in part by measuring a size and movement track of said pest in said first and second images.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein said processor is configured to distinguish between pests and humans at least in part by measuring a size of a moving object in said first and second image.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein said system is configured to operate at night.
13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a light sensor, and wherein said system is configured to operate during periods of relative darkness.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein said system is configured to operate during one or more specified time periods.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein said camera is configured to send data at regular intervals.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein said camera is configured to send data when at least a partial interruption of said beam is detected.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein said camera is configured to send data when a backscatter from said beam changes.
18. The system of claim 1 , wherein said camera is configured to send data when interrogated by said processor.
19. A system for detecting pests, comprising:
a camera configured to produce first and second digita 1 images;
a processor provided to said camera, said processor configured to examine said first and second digital images to detect a movement of one or more pests by determining movement of a pest-sized object in said first and second images; and
a motion detector configured to detect motion from humans, and wherein said system is configured to operate during periods when motion is not detected.
20. A system for detecting pests, comprising:
a camera configured to produce first and second digital images;
a processor provided to said camera, said processor configured to examine said first and second digital images to detect a movement of one or more pests by determining movement of a pest-sized object in said first and second images, wherein said system is configured to suspend pest detection when a room light turns on.
21. A system for detecting pests, comprising:
a camera configured to produce first and second digital images; and
a processor provided to said camera, said processor configured to examine said first and second digital images to detect a movement of one or more pests by determining movement of a pest-sized object in said first and second images, wherein said camera is configured to send data when a specified pest detection count is exceeded.