# US 9,775,337 B2 · Methods and systems for directing birds away from equipment

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- Number: US 9,775,337 B2
- Document ID: US9775337B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/686,444
- Filed: 2012-11-27
- Published: 2014-05-29
- Granted: 2017-10-03
- Earliest claimed: 2012-11-27
- Assignees: Elwha LLC
- Applicants: Elwha LLC
- Inventors: William D. Duncan; Roderick A. Hyde; Muriel Y. Ishikawa; Jordin T. Kare; Thomas A. Weaver; Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9775337B2

## CPC

- A01M 29/18: using ultrasonic signals
- A01M 31/002: {Detecting animals in a given area}
- F03D 80/10: Arrangements for warning air traffic
- 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
- F03D: WIND MOTORS

## Abstract

A system for directing a bird away from equipment includes an emitter configured to transmit a beam of audio-modulated ultrasonic sound. The beam of audio-modulated ultrasonic sound is configured to frequency down-convert in the atmosphere to produce a specified audible sound for a bird at a selected distance away from the emitter.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for directing a bird away from equipment, comprising:
an emitter configured to transmit a beam of audio-modulated ultrasonic sound; and
a detector comprising at least one of a camera, radar, and LIDAR configured to:
detect the bird,
identify the type of bird in response to detecting the bird,
determine if the identified bird is a type of bird to be directed, and in response,
determine a location of the bird relative to the equipment;
a director in communication with said emitter and said detector, said director configured to control and direct the transmitted beam of the emitter based on at least one of the identified type of bird and the location of the bird relative to the equipment;
wherein the beam of audio-modulated ultrasonic sound is configured to frequency down convert in the atmosphere to produce a specified audible sound for the bird at a selected distance away from the emitter, wherein the specified audible sound is selected from the group of audible sounds consisting of a sound of a predator, a sound of a mate, a sound of prey, and a mobbing call;
wherein the specified audible sound is selected based on the type and location of the bird;
wherein the sound of a predator is selected to repel the bird away from an undesirable area; and
wherein the sound of a mate or prey is selected to attract the bird to a desirable area.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the audio-modulation of the audio-modulated ultrasonic sound is selected based upon the specified audible sound.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is configured to differentiate between a single bird and a flock of birds.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is configured to identify the bird as a raptor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is configured to determine a direction of travel of the bird.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein said director is further configured to direct the beam based on the direction of travel of the bird.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the specified audible sound is selected based on the direction of travel of the bird.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said director if further configured to direct the beam toward the bird.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the emitter transmits the ultrasonic sound toward the bird in response to detecting the bird.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the emitter transmits the ultrasonic sound toward the bird based upon the location of the bird.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic sound beam down-converts through the atmosphere to the specified audible sound that repels the bird.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic sound down-converts to the specified audible sound that attracts the bird.