# US 10,368,539 B2 · Species specific extermination device

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- Number: US 10,368,539 B2
- Document ID: US10368539B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/889,368
- Filed: 2014-05-09
- Published: 2016-06-09
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2013-05-09
- Assignees: Aviantronics, LLC
- Applicants: Aviantronics, LLC
- Inventors: Pat M. Bolen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10368539B2

## CPC

- A01M 19/00: Apparatus for the destruction of noxious animals, other than insects, by hot water, steam, hot air, or electricity {(electric traps A01M23/38)}
- A01M 23/38: Electric traps
- A01M 29/26: specially adapted for birds, e.g. electrified rods, cords or strips
- A01M 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- G06T 7/97: {Determining parameters from multiple pictures (depth or shape recovery from multiple images G06T7/55; stereo camera calibration G06T7/85)}
- H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
- H04N 23/65: Control of camera operation in relation to power supply
- A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

The present invention includes an automated animal euthanization device for the destruction of an animal comprising: a housing having an housing opening to allow access to an interior cavity; a perch having a first perch end that extends into the interior cavity and a second perch end that extends through the housing opening and configured to accommodate the animal; a feed container position about the first perch end to provide food for the animal; an electrode set extending into the housing opening to contact the bird as it is positioned to eat the food; a camera position in the interior cavity to take a target image of the animal; a control unit connected to the camera to receive the target image and compare the target image to a set of reference images; a power supply connected to the control unit, the electrode set, and the camera to provide power for the operation thereof; and a container positioned below the perch to collect the animal falling from the perch.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An automated bird euthanization device for a destruction of a bird comprising:
a housing comprising an exterior shell having a housing opening to allow access to a housing interior, and an internal cavity formed between the exterior shell and the housing interior;
a feed storage container positioned in the internal cavity;
a feed delivery slot in the housing interior and connected to the feed storage container to provide the food;
a perch having a first perch end that extends into the housing interior and a second perch end that extends through the housing opening and configured to accommodate the bird;
a feed container connected to the first perch end and positioned about the feed delivery slot to hold food for the bird;
an electrode set extending into the housing opening to contact the bird as it is positioned to eat the food;
a camera positioned in the interior cavity to take a target image of the bird;
a data storage device connected to the camera and a control unit to store the target image, a set of reference images, and associated data;
the control unit connected to the camera to receive the target image and compare the target image to the set of reference images;
a power supply connected to the control unit, the electrode set, and the camera to provide power for the operation thereof;
one or more batteries connected to the power supply;
one or more solar panels connected to the one or more batteries;
wherein the control unit applies a current/voltage to the electrode set under certain conditions and the control unit controls the parameters associated with the current/voltage applied to the electrode set;
a timer connected to the power supply, the control unit and to the electrode set to control a duration of the current/voltage applied to the electrode set;
a container positioned below the perch to collect the bird falling from the perch; and
an automated lid positioned on the container and connected to the control unit to open and close the automated lid, and wherein the second perch end is connected to the automated lid.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the bird is a cowbird.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the timer closes an electrocution circuit for between 1-30 seconds.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the associated data is gps data, images, times, locations, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method of euthanization of an animal comprising the steps of:
providing the automated bird euthanization device for the destruction of a bird of claim 1;
providing the food in the feed container;
detecting a bird at the feed container with a sensor connected to the control unit;
taking the target image of the bird with the camera;
comparing the target image to the set of reference images via the control unit;
determining if the target image of the bird matches one of the reference images in the set of reference images via the control unit; and
energizing the set of electrodes via the control unit for a time determined by the timer sufficient to destroy the bird.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising:
opening the automated lid via the control unit to allow the animal to enter the container; and
closing the automated lid of the container via the control unit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising closing an electrocution circuit for between 1-30 seconds using the timer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising:
storing the target image in the data storage connected to the control unit; and
wherein the set of reference images and the associated data are stored in the data storage, and the associated data is gps data, images, times, locations, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the target image contains data representing about 50% of the bird.