US 7,441,367 B2Granted

Robotic pest removal system

AssigneeVMI Foundation

InventorsJames C. Squire, David L. Livingston, Daniel E Sonenshine, Dennis J. Crump, Glenn B. Hammond, Justin H. Woulfe, Gerald Allen Sullivan, Jr.

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An autonomous robotic system and method for removing pests from a specific location. The robotic system of the invention preferably comprises a means for attracting pests to at least one specific location; and a robotic means for collecting and/or exterminating pests attracted to the specified location. In certain embodiments, the robotic means comprises a mobile robot and a means for navigating the robotic means. In operation, pests are attracted to at least one location by an attracting means, and these pests are then collected and/or exterminated by a mobile, autonomous robot of the invention.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An automated pest control method comprising:

attracting a pest to at least one pre-selected location by distributing a chemoattractant to said at least one pre-selected location utilizing a length of perforated tubing, said chemoattractant being selected from the group consisting of CO2, 1-octen-3-ol, 2-nitrophenol, H2S, hypoxanthine, xanthine, inosine, adenine, hematin, sex attractant pheromones, and octenol;
utilizing at least one mobile robotic mechanism, comprising a pesticide, that traverses a pre-determined path corresponding to the length of perforated tubing in order to monitor the pre-selected location(s);
and
delivering a pest controlling amount of a pesticide with the mobile robotic mechanism(s), such that a pest present at the pre-selected location(s) is exposed to a pest controlling amount of the pesticide.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/374,440Filed 13 Mar 2006 · us provisional application
Priority: 14 Mar 2005
Published: US 2006/0204531 A114 Sep 2006
Granted: 28 Oct 2008
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

A01M 5/06
Wheeled machines, with means for stripping-off or brushing-off insects: with adhesive surfaces
A01M 1/02
Stationary means for catching or killing insects: with devices or substances, e.g. food, pheronones attracting the insects
A01M 1/023
With devices or substances, e.g. food, pheronones attracting the insects: attracting insects by the simulation of a living being, i.e. emission of…
A01M 1/145
Catching by adhesive surfaces: attracting and catching insects using combined illumination or colours and adhesive surfaces