PEST-CONTROL DEVICE
A pest-control device that repels pests with sound is illustrated and described. The pest-control device can, for example, be plugged into a standard wall socket. Sound-transmission openings in the pest-control device can be positioned to selectively direct sound sideways along the wall including the socket. This can increase the effectiveness of the device at repelling pests in corners along the edges of floors and countertops, where pests tend to travel. The pest-control device also can include a light sensor that detects the ambient light level. An output volume can be permanently configured or temporarily configured to increase in response to a signal or absence of signal from the light sensor. For example, the pest-control device can be configured to increase the volume of pest-repelling sound at night when pests are most active and people and pets typically are not present.
1 . A pest-control device, comprising:
a speaker;
an electrical plug compatible with a standard wall socket; and
a light sensor, wherein the pest-control device is permanently configured or can be temporarily configured to increase an output volume from the speaker in response to a signal or absence of signal from the light sensor.
2 . The pest-control device according to claim 1 , wherein the pest-control device is configured to emit pest-repelling sound including both sonic and ultrasonic frequencies.
3 . The pest-control device according to claim 1 , wherein the pest-control device has a front surface and a side surface, the front surface is substantially perpendicular to the side surface, and the front surface and the side surface each include at least one sound-transmission opening.
4 . The pest-control device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection between the electrical plug and a portion of the pest-control device including the speaker is substantially rigid.
5 . The pest-control device according to claim 1 , wherein the pest-control device can be suspended adjacent to a vertical wall by inserting the electrical plug into a standard electrical socket within the vertical wall.
6 . The pest-control device according to claim 5 , wherein the pest-control device has a side surface substantially perpendicular to the vertical wall when the pest-control device is suspended adjacent to the vertical wall with the electrical plug inserted into the standard electrical socket within the vertical wall, and the side surface includes at least one sound-transmission opening.
7 . The pest-control device according to claim 5 , wherein the pest-control device has a top surface when the pest-control device is suspended adjacent to the vertical wall with the electrical plug inserted into the standard electrical socket within the vertical wall, and the light sensor is configured to receive light through an opening in the top surface.
8 . The pest-control device according to claim 1 , further comprising a switch or potentiometer operable from an external portion of the pest-control device, wherein the setting of the switch or potentiometer determines whether or a degree to which the output volume from the speaker is increased in response to the signal or absence of signal from the light sensor.
9 . The pest-control device according to claim 8 , wherein the setting of the switch or potentiometer determines whether or the degree to which the output volume from the speaker is increased in response to the signal or absence of signal from the light sensor indicating low light relative to a threshold level of light.
10 . The pest-control device according to claim 8 , wherein the switch or potentiometer is a potentiometer.
11 . The pest-control device according to claim 10 , wherein the setting of the potentiometer determines the degree to which the output volume from the speaker is increased in response to the signal or absence of signal from the light sensor indicating low light relative to a threshold level of light.
12 . A pest-control device, comprising:
a speaker;
an electrical plug compatible with a standard wall socket; and
a frame at least partially enclosing the speaker, wherein the frame has a first side surface and a second side surface, the first and second side surfaces of the frame are configured to be substantially perpendicular to an external wall when the electrical plug is inserted into a standard electrical socket within the external wall, the first side surface and the second side surface of the frame each include at least one opening configured to transmit sound from the speaker, and the electrical plug is rigidly connected to the frame.
13 . The pest-control device according to claim 12 , wherein the pest-control device is configured to emit pest-repelling sound including both sonic and ultrasonic frequencies.
14 . The pest-control device according to claim 12 , further comprising a light sensor, wherein the pest-control device is permanently configured or can be temporarily configured to increase an output volume from the speaker in response to a signal or absence of signal from the light sensor.
15 . The pest-control device according to claim 14 , wherein the frame has a top surface configured to be substantially perpendicular to the external wall when the electrical plug is inserted into the standard electrical socket within the external wall, and the light sensor is configured to receive light through an opening in the top surface.
16 . The pest-control device according to claim 14 , further comprising a switch or potentiometer operable from an external portion of the pest-control device, wherein the setting of the switch or potentiometer determines whether or a degree to which the output volume from the speaker is increased in response to the signal or absence of signal from the light sensor.
17 . The pest-control device according to claim 16 , wherein the setting of the switch or potentiometer determines whether or the degree to which the output volume from the speaker is increased in response to the signal or absence of signal from the light sensor indicating low light relative to a threshold level of light.
18 . The pest-control device according to claim 16 , wherein the switch or potentiometer is a potentiometer.
19 . The pest-control device according to claim 18 , wherein the setting of the potentiometer determines the degree to which the output volume from the speaker is increased in response to the signal or absence of signal from the light sensor indicating low light relative to a threshold level of light.
20 . A pest-control device, comprising:
a speaker;
an electrical plug compatible with a standard wall socket;
a light sensor; and
means for increasing an output volume from the speaker in response to an ambient light level falling below a threshold value.