Abstract:
A deer lure dispensing apparatus and method of use including a programmable dispensing system for effecting automatic dispersal of the lure. The hunter or other user programs a predetermined schedule for dispensing lure such as deer urine. Once the programmable, automatic animal lure dispensing unit is placed in the field, no human intervention is needed to effect the scheduled dispersals of lure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of animal lure dispensers in general, and in particular, to a programmable, aerosol-based animal lure dispensing method and apparatus providing the ability to programmably time the dispensing of the lure. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    As can be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,434 by Prather, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,550,689; 6,648,239; 5,738,851, and US patent application US 2004/0064995 A1, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse animal, and especially deer, lure dispensing systems. 
         [0005]    Most game lure dispensing systems presently available require a human to be present for operation and/or dispense lure on non-programmable bases. The drawback of this is clear to any hunter whose game is able to detect the presence of a human by scent. 
         [0006]    The Prather reference recognizes the inherent deficiencies in the well-known prior art drag and/or multiple scent wick dispersal systems and suggests an automated, timed release of the lure. However, a problem associated with the Prather scent dispersal system is that significant power is required to heat the lure via resistance heat. A fan is also used, and requires electrical power over and above that of the resistance heat. Therefore, the battery of the Prather unit will either have a very short lifespan, or will be large and bulky. In either instance, locating the Prather lure dispenser in a remote field location is problematic. 
         [0007]    Aerosol dispensed animal lures have relatively recently been introduced in the marketplace. The aerosol dispensing aspect of these lures provides clean, convenient dispensing in the field. 
         [0008]    There exists a longstanding need among hunters for a new and improved automatic, programmable, aerosol based scent dispersal device to dispense game animal lure, such as deer urine, on a predetermined time basis. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an aerosol dispensing method and apparatus to automatically dispense an animal lure on a programmable schedule. Another object of the present invention is to provide a programmable aerosol dispenser that requires a minimum of maintenance and visits while operating. 
         [0010]    The deer lure aerosol dispensing method and apparatus forming the basis of the present invention comprises, in general, an aerosol container containing animal lure, for instance liquid deer urine; and a timed dispenser system for actuating the aerosol container to dispense a quantity of lure at predetermined times. The dispensing system comprises a microcontroller programmed to accept details of a dispensing schedule and an actuator for opening the aerosol container&#39;s valve to release the animal lure according to the predetermined schedule. 
         [0011]    The actuation of the aerosol container may take a form similar to that used to dispense deodorant or insecticide inside buildings. Unlike these common devices, the present device will include a scheduling system, capable of accepting and storing dates and times to dispense the lure. An operator, such as the hunter, enters dates and time spans during those days dispensing is desired. In this way, hunters may place the lure near a tree-stand or blind, enter the dates and times for dispensing, and leave the unit. An advantage of the present invention is no human needs to be near the lure dispensing device, so no fresh human scent will be detected by the deer or other game. The dispensing unit may be placed well before the season starts to accustom, train and condition, and/or fool the animals to approaching the area of the tree stand or blind. Then, during hunting season, the hunter does not need to approach the lure dispenser any closer than the blind or tree stand. The lure dispenser will continue to dispense lure on the days and during the times chosen, thereby conserving lure and extending the supply in the aerosol container, thus minimizing the frequency of its replacement and, therefore, human intrusion and contamination of the area. The advantages of the scheduling include a savings of money due to less frequent purchase of the lure, and a minimizing of the need to replace the aerosol container and batteries, thereby risking leaving fresh human scent to the area. 
         [0012]    The energy requirements for the programmable, automatic lure dispensing device of the present invention are intentionally low. A quartz clock, a microprocessor, an actuator for opening the aerosol container&#39;s valve, and supporting components are all that are required. These components require only small amounts of energy to operate, so the battery or batteries used to supply that energy have long life. 
         [0013]    Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of a first process for using the programmable lure dispenser of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of a second process for using the programmable lure dispenser; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   a  is a depiction of scheduling information required to set up the programmable lure dispenser for use in a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   b  is a depiction of scheduling information required to set up the programmable lure dispenser for use in a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the programmable lure dispenser installed in the field; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the programmable lure dispenser, opened for replacing the aerosol container or for entering or checking scheduling data; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a clock mechanism and an actuating mechanism; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the lure dispenser with the case closed; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the lure aerosol container wherein a nozzle valve is not actuated; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the lure aerosol container wherein a nozzle valve is actuated and lure is being dispensed; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a flow diagram for logic to keep track of the contents of the aerosol container and to aid a user in scheduling applications; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  shows a hunter using a remote control device to control the programmable lure dispenser; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the remote control device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , flow diagrams are shown to indicate the simple steps for making use of the programmable, aerosol animal lure dispensing system  100  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the present invention. The two flow diagrams are shown because the order of the steps may not be important. In  FIG. 1 , the first step is to enter the desired lure dispensing schedule, as indicated in block  110 . The next step is to install the lure dispensing apparatus  100  in the desired location in the field as shown in  FIG. 4 . This is indicated in  FIG. 1  by reference number  120 . Such a location might be near the hunter&#39;s tree stand or blind. The installation could entail tying the lure dispensing device  100  to a branch in a tree, fastening it to a fence post or a post  410  placed for the purpose of this installation, setting the device on a rock, fastening it to the tree stand or blind, etc. The location of the device  100  is understood by those of ordinary skill in this art. 
         [0028]    With the lure dispenser  100  in place, the unit  100  is turned on, as indicated in block  130 , to begin its schedule of dispensing animal lure  910  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 2 , the first step shown in block  120  is to install the lure dispensing apparatus  100  in the desired location in the field. Next, the desired lure dispensing schedule is entered into the lure dispensing system  100  as indicated in block  110 . Finally, the unit  100  is turned on, as indicated in block  130 . Hence, the lure dispensing schedule may be entered before or after installing in the field. In particular, the lure dispensing schedule for a lure dispensing system  100  already in the field may be modified without removing the unit  100 . 
         [0030]    The data required, according to a first embodiment of this invention, are listed in  FIG. 3   a,  along with some example entries. A start date  310  and an end date  320 , are entered at the top of  FIG. 3   a.  The lure dispensing system  100  will attempt to dispense lure during the time between these dates  310 ,  320 . 
         [0031]    The second set of required data  330  indicates which days of the week the automatic lure dispensing system  100  will dispense lure  910 . Additionally, two time spans are provided each day during which lure  910  will be dispensed. The first time span is indicated by a first start time and a first end time. The second time span is indicated by a second start time and a second end time. Animal lure  910  will only be dispensed during these time spans on the day(s) chosen for lure  910  dispensing. Lure  910  will not be dispensed outside these time spans, or on days not chosen for lure dispensing. 
         [0032]    A quantity of lure  340  dispensed at a given time is selected by choosing Heavy, Medium, or Light at the bottom of  FIG. 3   a.  The application duration indicated by Heavy, Medium, or Light will depend on the lure being dispensed. Preferably, using deer urine, a light application would be a one-second mist, a medium application would be a two-second mist, and a heavy application would be a three-second mist. 
         [0033]    Scheduling information, required in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, is shown in  FIG. 3   b.  In this embodiment, each application of the game animal lure  910  (see  FIG. 9 ) is scheduled separately. A date, comprising a month, day, and year; a time of day; an indication of whether the time is before noon (AM) or after noon (PM) must be provided if the time is given on a twelve-hour clock basis, are the required data. The first column, Application Number, is provided by the system. The last column, AM/PM, may be entered by checking a box or similar. Note that logic within the programmable, aerosol animal lure dispensing system  100  may disallow more than a given number of applications based on the capacity of the aerosol lure container  520  (see  FIG. 5 ), as depicted in  FIG. 10  and described below. One way in which to limit the number of applications is to place a cap on the maximum value shown in the Application Number column, in the instance of  FIG. 3   b,  this number is  200 . 
         [0034]    The automatic animal lure dispensing apparatus  100  is shown attached to a post  410  in the field in  FIG. 4 . As already mentioned, there are a plurality of appropriate locations and installation methods. The present invention is not limited to a location in the field or attachment methods. For the purposes of this document, including the claims, field is defined simply as outdoors. Examples include open areas, such as pastures, wooded areas, river or creek bottoms, an island, a golf course, or a lawn. As the present invention is not limited as to the animal(s) for which it may be applied, locations for its use will be many and varied. 
         [0035]    The automatic animal lure dispensing apparatus  100  is shown with its water tight cover  510  open in  FIG. 5 . An aerosol lure container  520  contains the animal lure  910 , such as deer urine, under pressure. The nozzle  530  of the aerosol container  520  is made to be actuated for dispensing. Batteries  540 , preferably a plurality thereof, are provided to supply electrical energy for the microprocessor and spray actuation. A user interface assembly  550  is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , including the microprocessor (not visible), a display  605  which is preferably a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit, and operator controls. The operator controls include an on/off switch  610 , a reset button  615 , a data input key  620 , and two keys  625 ,  630  for displaying and controlling the clock. A low battery indicating light  635  is also shown to warn of the need to replace the batteries  540 . 
         [0036]    An optional heat strip  560  is shown in engaged to the aerosol lure container  520 . The heat strip is intended to improve operation of the automatic animal lure dispensing apparatus  100  in cold conditions. Advantages of heating the lure in the aerosol lure container  520  include: keeping the lure  910  from freezing; making the scent more realistic to the game animal; and ensuring the lure  910  will travel farther in cold weather upon dispensing. The optional heat strip  560  is preferably thermostatically controlled, and is only permitted to provide heat during a predetermined period of time before an application of lure  910  is scheduled. Battery  540  power is thereby conserved. 
         [0037]    Under the user interface assembly  550 , is an actuation assembly  640 . The preferred actuation assembly  640  is driven by a motor  645 . A solenoid actuator, energized by command of the microprocessor, may also be used. The present invention is not limited to a particular actuation method. 
         [0038]    The aerosol can&#39;s nozzle  530  is manipulated by an actuator finger  650 . The frequency of actuation is programmable, as discussed above. 
         [0039]    The programmable, automatic animal lure dispensing apparatus  100  is shown with its water tight cover  510  closed, as it would be in operation in the field, in  FIG. 7 . The lure  910  is ejected out an orifice  710 , which is aligned with the aerosol can&#39;s nozzle  530 . 
         [0040]    The case in which the components  520 ,  530 ,  540 ,  550  are housed is water tight to keep the electronic components dry, and to avoid corrosion that can cause high resistance connections in this low voltage application. 
         [0041]    Actuation of the aerosol can&#39;s nozzle  530  is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In  FIG. 8 , the actuator finger  650  has not rotated to connect with the nozzle  530 . When the time for dispensing the lure  910  arrives, the actuator finger  650  rotates toward a portion of the nozzle  530  which, when depressed, opens a valve (not shown). The actuator finger  650  has made contact with and depressed the portion of the aerosol can&#39;s nozzle  530  that results in lure  910  being dispensed in  FIG. 9 . Of course, other actuating mechanisms can be used instead of a motor and gears, such as a solenoid actuated plunger that pushes on the top of the nozzle  530  or simply a solenoid actuated valve. 
         [0042]    Lures  910  for which this invention may be used include, but are not limited to, deer, moose, elk, or other big game animals or for smaller animals such as fox, coyote or raccoon. 
         [0043]    As depicted in the flow diagram of  FIG. 10 , the control device may include logic to keep track of how many applications of lure  910  have been programmed into the device and how many applications of lure  910  are contained in the aerosol container  520 . Then, if a user tries programming the device  100  for more applications than the present capacity of the aerosol container  520 , the device  100  will provide an error message  1035 , and will prompt the user to program only up to as many applications as are currently available in the aerosol container  520 . This way the user will not think that lure  910  was dispensed when it was not. 
         [0044]    Beginning at the top of  FIG. 10 , a new aerosol lure container  520  is installed in the automatic animal lure dispensing apparatus  100  in block  1005 . In this way, a known quantity, measured in number of applications, of lure  910  is installed for a baseline measurement as shown in block  1010 . The maximum number of applications contained in a new aerosol lure container  520  is given the quantity, M, in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0045]    The instantaneous quantity of lure  910  in the aerosol lure container  520  is given the value, N 1 , and thus N 1 =M initially, as shown in block  1015 . 
         [0046]    The value, N, is simply a local placeholder for the instantaneous quantity of lure  910  in the aerosol lure container  520 , so N=N 1  as shown in block  1020 . A message is displayed in block  1022  to let the user know the maximum number of applications, N, permitted. 
         [0047]    In block  1025 , a user requests a number, n, of lure applications, according to  FIGS. 3   a  or  3   b.  The value of n is compared to the quantity of lure  910  in the aerosol lure container  520 , N, in a first comparator block  1030 . If too many applications have been requested, a helpful warning message is displayed in block  1035 , where the user is reminded of the maximum permitted number of applications, N. 
         [0048]    If an appropriate number of applications have been requested as determined by the first comparator block  1030 , a counter, k, is initialized to zero, and a message is generated in block  1045  to reveal what day the aerosol lure container  520  must be replaced. The replacement date is shown as MM/DD/YY in block  1045 , where MM represents two digits for the month, DD represents two digits for the day of the month, and YY represents two digits for the year in the 21 st  century. 
         [0049]    At the scheduled time, an application of lure  910  is effected by the automatic animal lure dispensing apparatus  100 , as indicated in block  1050 . The counter, k, is incremented by one in block  1055  to keep track of the number of applications. The number of applications, k, is compared to the number of requested applications, n, in a second comparator block  1060  to determine if all the requested applications have been effected. If all the requested applications have not been issued, the flow returns to block  1050 , where an additional application is effected at the scheduled time. 
         [0050]    If the number of applications, k, is equal to the requested number of applications, n, the number of remaining applications, N 1 , contained in the aerosol container  520  is calculated in block  1065 , which is then compared to the capacity of a new aerosol container  520 , M, in a third comparator block  1070 . If there remain applications available in the aerosol container  520 , the flow returns toward the top of the flow diagram, and the automatic animal lure dispensing apparatus  100  is ready for further applications as scheduled by the user. If the aerosol container  520  is empty, as estimated by the control system, a message is displayed, as shown in block  1075 , to warn the user the aerosol container  520  must be replaced. 
         [0051]    As those of ordinary skill will understand, the quantity of lure  910  contained in a new aerosol container  520  can be determined by experiment. For instance, a new aerosol container  520  may be emptied by a number of applications in the same way as it will be used in the field. The number of applications is counted and the quantity of lure  910  contained in the pressurized aerosol container  520  is given that value of applications. 
         [0052]    Alternatively, a single application or a small number of applications can be effected and the quantity of a single application determined therefrom. The quantity of a single application is divided into the quantity of lure  910  contained in a new aerosol container  520  to calculate a number of expected applications. Again, this number is the capacity of the new aerosol container  520 . 
         [0053]    As an example, a present, new aerosol container  520  containing deer urine under the brand name BUCK BOMB averages 115 two second applications. Therefore, the BUCK BOMB aerosol container  520  should be replaced after a total of 99 two-second applications to ascertain lure  910  is available for each application scheduled. Hence, the control device of  FIG. 10  would disallow more than 99 total applications of a single BUCK BOMB aerosol container  520 . Other lure aerosol containers  520  may have different capacities, as may future BUCK BOMB aerosol containers  520 . 
         [0054]    A hunter is shown in a tree stand in  FIG. 11  using a remote transmitter  1110  to control the operation of the automatic animal lure dispensing apparatus  100  without approaching the automatic animal lure dispensing apparatus  100 . The advantages of this feature include: use when a hunter needs to use a secondary stand because of a wind change; outfitters and guides may keep hunters from walking around stands to place fresh scent; a hunter may apply fresh scent when attempting to attract a buck from a distance downwind of the automatic animal lure dispensing apparatus  100 . 
         [0055]    The remote device  1110  is depicted in  FIG. 12 . Such a remote device may include a plurality of buttons  1210  or a touch pad, and a liquid crystal display screen  1220  for readout. Example uses of the remote device  1110  include: causing an immediate application of lure  910 ; disabling the automatic animal lure dispensing apparatus  100  due to rain, strong winds, etc.; programming a new lure dispensing schedule; and requesting the date of required replacement of the aerosol lure container  520 . 
         [0056]    Although only an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. 
         [0057]    Having thereby described the subject matter of the present invention, it should be apparent that many substitutions, modifications, and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention as taught and described herein is only to be limited to the extent of the breadth and scope of the appended claims.