Patent Publication Number: US-2023148584-A1

Title: Flying insect light trap monitoring device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/392,877 filed Apr. 24, 2019 which claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/662,293 filed Apr. 25, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to flying insect light traps, and more particularly, to glue board-type flying insect light traps, and related camera-based monitoring devices, systems, and methods for effectively monitoring and servicing flying insect light traps. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of flying insect light traps have been used in the pest control industry to attract and capture flying insects. These devices have generally been used to prevent flying insects from interfering with sensitive operations such as food processes and preparation, and to monitor the level of flying insect activity to determine if additional remediation steps are needed. Some existing flying insect light traps have typically consisted of one or more light bulbs that emit wavelengths of light that attract flying insects, and one or more glue boards that contain an adhesive coating on which flying insects are trapped. 
     When these types of traps are maintained as part of regular pest control services, a pest control technician removes old glue boards, cleans the trap, and inserts new glue boards. The technician also counts, often by rough estimation, the number of insects on the glue boards and records these readings for the purpose of determining trends and communication with the client. 
     However, the current method of counting and recording flying insect activity is problematic for various reasons. For example, manually counting is often either time consuming, inaccurate, or both. Further, the activity information is typically very limited as it is only captured as often as the pest control technician can physically inspects the trap. This inspection is often only once per week or less. Also, because of the low frequency of service, high pest activity is often recorded well after it occurs, which limits the effectiveness of the trap and potential remediation efforts. 
     Accordingly, there is a desire for improved flying insect light traps and monitoring thereof, including monitoring systems which overcome past difficulties and aid in effective and timely servicing and monitoring of these devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments described or otherwise contemplated herein substantially provide advantageous monitored flying insect light traps and related monitoring devices and systems. Embodiments generally can relate to monitoring devices that releaseably attach or are integrated for permanent or long term use with a flying insect light trap. The monitoring devices generally contain a camera pointed at one or more glue boards located in the trap. The monitoring devices can automatically, periodically, take photographic images of the glue board(s). Additionally, a computer vision algorithm can be used, locally or remotely, as part of an image processing engine to automatically detect the number of flies present on the glue board based on these photographic images. This information can be stored, either on the monitoring devices or on a separate server, for use in reporting and trending the flying insect activity in the trap. By recording the flying insect activity at regular intervals that are much more frequent than practical for humans to service the trap (e.g. once per hour), detailed activity trending can be collected and used by the pest control technicians to respond to high activity events and improve the response time of their service. 
     One embodiment relates to a flying insect light trap monitoring device that includes a housing, camera, controller, and communications module. The housing includes a mounting structure configured to couple with a flying insect light trap. The camera generally includes a wide angle lens. The camera and wide angle lens are secured to the housing and takes a digital photograph image of a glue board in the flying insect light trap. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The controller is secured within the housing and is communicatively coupled to the camera. The controller receives the digital photograph image. The communications module is operatively coupled with the controller and sends data packets, including the digital photograph image, to a remote server. 
     In some embodiments the monitoring device includes an image processing engine that processes the digital photograph image and automatically generates a count of flying insects shown on the glue board. In some embodiments, the image processing engine further classifies the flying insects shown on the glue board by size and shape. 
     In some embodiments, the digital photograph image is sent by the communications module for remote processing to determine a count of flying insects shown on the glue board. 
     In some embodiments, the communications module sends an alert signal for a technician when the flying insect light trap requires glue board replacement or serving. 
     One embodiment relates to a flying insect light trap monitoring system. The system includes a plurality of flying insect light traps, a plurality of monitoring devices, and a server. 
     The plurality of flying insect light traps, each includes: at least one light bulb that emits wavelengths of light that attract flying insects; a light housing supporting and partially surrounding the at least one light bulb; and a glue board in the light housing, adjacent the light bulb, that captures flying insects. The plurality of monitoring devices are each associated with a different one of the plurality of flying insect light traps. Each monitoring device includes: a housing including a mounting structure coupled to the light housing of the flying insect light trap it is associated; a camera and a wide angle lens, secured to the housing, that takes a digital photograph image of the glue board in the flying insect light trap; a controller, including a processor and a memory, secured within the housing and communicatively coupled to the camera, the controller receiving the digital photograph image; and a communications module, operatively coupled to the controller, that sends the digital photograph image for processing remotely. The server includes an image processing engine that receives the digital photograph image from the communications module and that processes the digital photograph image to determine an insect count. 
     In some embodiments, the image processing engine includes instructions that, when executed on the server, cause the server to: dewarp the digital photograph image to account for spacial warping near the edges of the images; normalize the digital photograph image to remove variations in lighting conditions and shadows; apply a Gaussian Blur to reduce noise present in the digital photograph image; use a threshold filter to distinguish between background objects and foreground objects in the digital photograph image; apply an erosion filter to shrink the area of the digital photograph image covered by each flying insect to separate closely located flying insects; and determine the insect count by automatically estimating the number foreground spots on the image. 
     In some embodiments, the image processing engine further includes instructions that, when executed on the server, cause the server: to classify the flying insects shown by size and shape. 
     Another embodiment relates to a method of monitoring flying insect light traps. The method includes capturing a digital photograph image of a glue board located in a flying insect light trap. The method further includes using an image processing engine that processes the digital photograph image and automatically provides an insect count. Use of the image processing engine includes: dewarping the digital photograph image to account for spacial warping near the edges of the image; normalizing the digital photograph image to remove variations in lighting conditions and shadows; applying a Gaussian Blur to reduce noise present in the digital photograph image; using a threshold filter to distinguish between background and foreground objects in the digital photograph image; applying an erosion filter to shrink the area of the digital photograph image covered by each flying insect to separate closely located flying insects; and determining the insect count by estimating the number foreground spots on the digital photograph image. Further, the method includes reporting the insect count. 
     Another embodiment relates to a flying insect light trap. The flying insect light trap includes at least one light bulb that emits wavelengths of light that attract flying insects, a light housing supporting and partially surrounding the at least one light bulb, a glue board in the light housing that is adjacent the light bulb and that captures flying insects, and a monitoring device. The monitoring device is coupled with the light housing and includes a camera, a controller, and a communications module. The camera has a wide angle lens and takes a digital photograph image of the glue board. The controller includes a processor and a memory that is communicatively coupled to the camera. The controller receives the digital photograph image. The communications module is operatively coupled to the controller and sends data packets, including the digital photograph image, to a remote server. 
     In some embodiments, the monitoring device includes an image processing engine that processes the digital photograph image and automatically generates a count of flying insects shown on the glue board. 
     In some embodiments, the image processing engine classifies the flying insects shown on the glue board by size and shape. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is an exploded perspective view of a flying insect light trap monitoring device, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of a flying insect light trap monitoring device attached to the front grill of a flying insect light trap, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a side cutaway view of a flying insect light trap monitoring device attached to the front grill of a flying insect light trap, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram of a flying insect light trap monitoring device, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a diagram of a flying insect light trap monitoring system, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a diagram of a flying insect light trap monitoring system, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram of a flying insect light trap monitoring system, and specifically, the flow of data packets including flying insect images and/or data from a flying insect light trap monitoring device, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a flow diagram of image processing used by the image processing engine to count flying insects using the monitoring device and/or system, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed subject matter to particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG.  1    generally shows an embodiment of a flying insect light trap monitoring device  100 . Such monitoring devices  100  are generally for use on, or as an integral part of, flying insect light traps  200  (see  FIGS.  2  and  3   ). In general, monitoring device  100  includes a housing  110 , camera  112 , controller  114 , and communications module  116 . Other components found in embodiments of the monitoring device  100  include a wide angle lens  120  and a LCD display board  122 . 
     The housing  110  collectively includes a rear housing  124  and a front housing panel  126 . Rear housing  124  defines a generally box-shaped structure that with generally flat wall surfaces on five sides that define an interior cavity. The rear housing  124  has one side with a rectangular opening  128  in which front housing panel  126  is retained. The rear housing  124  further includes mounting structures in the form of one or more hooks  130  that extend outwardly and downwardly from the two side edges surrounding the rectangular opening  128 . These hooks  130  are configured to hang on or otherwise releaseably couple with a grill or other pertinent structure of a flying insect light trap  102 . Various other mounting structures can be used to couple the housing  110  to a flying insect light trap  102 . Some examples may include clips, magnets, fasteners, brackets, adhesives, interference fits or other means of connection. Mounting structures can be integrally formed with the housing or may be otherwise secured to the rear housing  124  or front housing  126  for long term use. 
     Rear housing  124  can further include a button  132  mounted on its upper surface which can be pressed or otherwise manipulated for manual control of image capture and control of the device. Other types of buttons  132  and locations for placement of this button  132  are contemplated by this disclosure and  FIG.  1    should not be considered to be limiting. Rear housing may further include a window  134  for the LCD display  122  on the side of rear housing  124  opposite the rectangular opening  128 . Accordingly when a monitoring device  100  is mounted with the rectangular opening  128  adjacent a flying insect light trap  200 , the LCD display  122  can be readily viewed. 
     Front housing panel  126  is generally a flat panel of material with a notched perimeter sized to couple with the rear housing  124 . An aperture  136  is located at one side to prevent obstruction and accommodate the camera  112  and wide angle lens  120 . The interior surface of the front housing panel  126  further can include various mounting structures and components for supporting, securing, or coupling with the camera  112 , lens  120 , controller  114 , LCD display board  122  and other interior components and structures. 
     Rear housing  124  and front housing  126  can be made of plastic, metal, or other suitable material. Further, in some embodiments, the housing  110  may be waterproof or have components sealed in a watertight manner to prevent intrusion by moisture, insects or other unwanted material. The overall size of the housing  110  can vary, but can be very small dimensionally in some embodiments to avoid significant obstruction of light from the flying insect light trap  200  on which it is used. Some housings  110  can have dimensions of only an inch or two in length and height, for example. Other housings of various shapes and sizes can be used as well, such as cylindrical. The rectangular box-shaped configuration shown in  FIG.  1    should not be deemed to be limiting. 
       FIG.  1    also depicts camera  112  and an associated wide angle lens  120 . Camera  112  can be any type of digital camera of sufficient resolution and which is useful for taking pictures from short distances. Lens  120  is used with camera  112  and typically is a wide angle lens. For purposes of this disclosure, a “wide angle lens” includes the type of lenses referred to as “fisheye” and similar types of lenses. Use of a fisheye lens, or other wide angle lens, provides an expanded field of view to the camera  112 . This is such that the field of view for the camera can encompass an entire glue board  210  located in a flying insect light trap  200 , even when the camera  112  and lens  120  are in close proximity to the glue board  210 . Accordingly, the camera  112  and wide angle lens  120  are secured to the housing  110  and adapted to take a digital photograph image of a glue board  210  in the flying insect light trap  200 . 
     Controller  114  is generally depicted by a generic card structure in  FIG.  1    as well. The controller  114  can be a computer or computing device in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the controller  144  should be understood to include some or all of one or more processor(s)  140 , a memory  142 , related circuitry  144 , and/or various modules or engines (see  FIG.  4   ), among other components. In some embodiments, various modules or engines will share portions of the controller or only be partially embodied by the controller  114 . Controller  114  can be secured within the housing  110  and communicatively coupled to the camera  112 . In various embodiments, when operated, controller  114  can receive and/or control digital photographic images taken by the camera  112 . 
     Although not specifically depicted or called out in  FIG.  1   , a communications module  116  is part of the monitoring device  100  as well. Components of communications module  116  can be directly or indirectly secured to the housing  110  and operatively coupled with, partially embodied by, or integrated with the controller  114 . Communications module  116  is able to provide digital photograph images to a remote device  190  (see  FIGS.  5  and  6   ). 
     Communications module  116  can be configured to transmit and receive information related to the monitoring devices  100 . In particular, communications module  116  can transmit and receive data which a server  302  is configured to receive with a corresponding communications module  314 . In embodiments, communications module  116  can comprise communications software and transceiver circuitry. Transmitter circuitry can comprise one or more electronic elements configured to transmit and receive data related to monitoring devices  100  or its related system. For example, wireless transceiver circuitry can be configured for radio frequency (RF) communications, Wi-Fi communications, BLUETOOTH communications, or near-field communications (NFC). Wired transceiver circuitries can likewise be utilized, such as CAT-5 and CAT-6. In some embodiments, the communications module  116  may be provisioned to wirelessly connect to a network using Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi to a mobile device that can in turn be connected to the Internet or using Wi-Fi or long range radio to an intranet at a facility that is in turn connected to the Internet. 
       FIG.  1    also depicts an LCD display board  122  that can provide a small display screen that is operatively coupled to the controller  114  and can display output in response to manual presses of button  132 , for example. LCD display board  122  can be included on an outer surface of the housing via window, clear panel, or external mounting and can be used in a variety of ways to visually communicate any type of information desired to the operator, and should not be viewed as having limited capabilities. In some embodiments, the LCD board may serve as a user interface. 
       FIGS.  2  and  3    show a flying insect light trap monitoring device  100  attached to the flying insect light trap  200 .  FIG.  2    is shown from a partial front view and  FIG.  3    is shown from a side cutaway view. The flying insect light trap  200  is depicted having a light housing  202  partially surrounding a pair of light bulbs  204 . A horizontally-disposed grill  206  extends across the open side of the light housing  150 . Note that the grill  206  is considered part of the flying insect light trap light housing  202  for purposes of this disclosure. Accordingly, coupling to the grill  206  should be considered to be coupling with the light housing  202 . In the interior of the light housing  202 , opposite the side opening and grill  206 , is an adhesive glue board  210 . Adhesive glue board  210  is used to capture insects and is located adjacent the light bulbs  204 . The glue board  210  is generally mounted such that it can be readily removed and disposed of when the trap is being serviced. 
     In  FIGS.  2  and  3    the monitoring device  100  is hung on the grill  206  such that the outside face of the front housing panel  126  faces the glue board  210  located on the opposite interior side of the light housing  202 . Accordingly, the associated camera  112  and lens  120  directly faces the glue board  210  and is provided a generally unobstructed field of view  212 . 
     It should be understood that flying insect light traps  200  vary in sizes and shapes. The number and location of lights  204  and openings present may vary. This disclosure contemplates various sizes, types, housing layouts, and mounting structures for monitoring devices  100 , such that they are well-suited and sized for the particular flying insect light trap  200  being used. 
       FIG.  4    shows a general diagram of a flying insect light trap monitoring device  100 . Specifically, the diagram shows a variety of features and components that can be directly or indirectly coupled to or secured within the housing  110  of the monitoring device  100 . These components include: camera  112 , lens  120 , LCD display panel  122 , communications module  116 , processor  140 , memory  142 , circuitry  144 , controller  114 , and image processing module  150 . References to coupling of these components with or to the housing  110  is not restricted to direct contact with the housing  110  but is intended to include indirect attachment or securing, such as by securing multiple of these components together where only one component directly contacts the housing  110 . Controller  114  is shown in reference to and including processor  140 , memory  142  and circuitry  144 , although other components, such as communications module  116  can be considered to be part of or make use of components of the controller  114  in some embodiments. Likewise, image processing module  150  may include or partially make use of components such as processor  140 , memory  142 , or circuitry  144 , for example. Image processing engine  150  is further referenced in  FIG.  4   . Image processing engine  150  can make use of various components of the controller  114 . In some embodiments, no LCD display  122  will be included. Likewise, the components of the monitoring device  100  that are disclosed in  FIG.  4    should be understood to be operatively coupled to each other. Such coupling can be arranged in various non-limiting configurations. Communications module  116  can be configured and embodied in various ways as discussed throughout this application. 
       FIG.  5 A  shows a diagram of a flying insect light trap monitoring system  300 A. The system  300 A includes a plurality of flying insect light traps  200 , a plurality of monitoring devices  100  where each one is associated with one of the plurality of flying insect light traps  200 , and a remote server  310 . The insect light traps  200  refer to any suitable insect light trap as previously discussed. For example, the insect light traps  200  might each include, at least one light bulb  204  that emits wavelengths of light that attract flying insects, a light housing  202  supporting the light bulb(s), and a glue board  210  in the light housing  202  for capturing flying insects. In some embodiments, the monitoring devices  100  can each include a housing  110 , a camera  112  and a wide angle lens  120  that takes digital photograph images of the glue board  210  in the respective flying insect light trap  200 , and a communications module  116  that sends the digital photograph images to be processed at a separate processing location. 
     Specifically, the system  300 A of  FIG.  5 A  also includes a remote server  310  that can receive digital photograph images from the monitoring devices  100  and processes each of the images with a image processing engine  312  to determine information such as insect counts. A remote server  310  can include a computing platform or other device with software having capabilities of image processing. Accordingly, a remote server  310  can include one or more processors and databases  316 , for example. More specific details related to processing of images received with an image processing engine  312  will be discussed later related to  FIGS.  6  and  7   . 
     Many communication options  320  and configurations  322  are possible for sending metadata and images from the respective monitoring devices  100  to a remote server  310 . Communication options  320  and configurations  322  represented generically in  FIG.  5 A  to generally reflect any of a variety of well-known communication options and configurations between monitoring devices  100  and a remote server  310 . In some embodiments, data packets including the digital photograph image data are sent from each monitoring device  100  to a wireless router, which in turn, provides the data to the remote device  310 . In some embodiments the data packets including the digital photograph image data are transmitted to a local device which sends the data packets including the digital photograph image data to the remote device  310 . In other embodiments, the data packets including the digital photograph image data are directly sent to the remote device  310 . In some embodiments, all transmissions are wireless. In some embodiments, all transmissions are hardwired communications. Once remote server  310  receives the data, data including image data can be processed, tracked and reviewed. Insect counts can be determined and further transmitted to other computers, personal computing devices, or other end user devices  330  for review and manipulation. In some embodiments, the data can be reviewed and manipulated by an end user at the server  310 . 
       FIG.  5 B  shows a diagram of a flying insect light trap monitoring system  300 B. Similar to  FIG.  5 B , system  300 B includes a plurality of flying insect light traps  200 , a plurality of monitoring devices  100  where each one is associated with one of the plurality of flying insect light traps  200 , and a remote server  310 . However, in  FIG.  5 B , an image processing engine  150  is present at each individual monitoring device  100 , rather than at the server  310 . Accordingly, image data is processed at the monitoring devices  100 . Although image data is processed at the monitoring devices  100 , data packets of relevant data and photographic image data will generally be sent to the server  310  and distributed to end user devices  330 . 
     In  FIG.  6   , a schematic flow diagram is shown of a flying insect light trap monitoring system  400 , with similarities to  FIG.  5 A . In this system  400 , a customer location  410  is depicted, including a plurality of installed monitoring devices  100 . Each monitoring device  100  connects to a wireless router  420  which transmits data packets  422  (including digital photographic image data) to a central server  430  at a regular interval. In some embodiments, this interval will be once per hour, once every three hours, once per day, or other length of interval, for example. 
     As in the other systems described throughout this disclosure, the data packets  422  sent from the monitoring devices  100  can consist of various types of information in the form of raw captured image data and metadata. For example data packets  422  can include: the image captured by the camera; the time of the capture; identifiers for the device itself (such as the light trap to which it is attached, customer location, etc.); and/or the type of capture (i.e. if it was automatic/recurring or due to a manual button press). 
     The data packets are sent to a remote device, namely a server  430 , for processing. The server  430  includes an image processing engine  432  and a database  434 . Image processing engine  432  can include hardware and software for determining useful information from the data packets  422 . On the server  430 , an image processing algorithm (described in the next section) is used as part of the image processing engine  432  to determine the number of flying insects in the image. Additionally, it is possible to classify the flying insects based on size and/or shape. This information is then stored in a database  434  for later retrieval. 
     End user computing devices  440  can then make use of the processed images and data. Specifically, the captured images and associated data are consumed by an end-use application running on one or more computing devices  440 . These applications can be used by either the pest control technician or the customer, for example. 
     One example of an end-use application includes time-series trending of the flying insect activity. Specifically, by plotting the activity vs time, trends in activity can be visualized and used to inform corrective actions. This is depicted by trend plots  442  in  FIG.  6   . 
     Another example of an end-use application includes time-series plotting of differential flying insect activity. Specifically, by plotting differential activity vs time, the times of day causing the greatest activity change will stand out. This is depicted by differential trend plots  444  in  FIG.  6   , where change in flying insect activity vs time is shown for each device. 
     Another example of an end-use application that utilizes data packets  446  of aggregated trend data is shown in  FIG.  6    as well. It relates to heat-mapping of insect activity. More specifically, by plotting the activity based on the physical locations of the light traps, a heat map can be overlaid on a map of the customer location. This aids in understanding where—in the location—the activity is occurring. This is depicted by heat maps  448  in  FIG.  6   . 
     In various embodiments, including monitoring devices  100  and systems  300 A,  300 B, and  400 , the monitoring device or system may further include alerting and alarming capabilities as well. For example, upon processing of images at the monitoring devices  100  or server  310  (or  430 ), if a threshold valve for insect count is exceeded, an alarm or alert can be sent to a service technician at the end user devices  330  (or  440 ). Alerts could likewise be generated for a variety of other monitoring device conditions, malfunctions, errors, as well. For example, monitoring devices  100  may include sensors to sense trap errors and environmental data such as temperature, pressure, light, and sound. These alerts can be signals sent directly or indirectly to the end user devices  330  via the server  310  (or  430 ) or directly or indirectly from the monitoring devices  100  themselves. Appropriate wired or wireless communication, as previously referenced, can be utilized. Alerts can include push-notifications to user devices, email messages, text messages, vibrations, audible sounds or alarms. Details related to the location and status of the relevant trap can be provided with the alerts as well. In some cases, this may include images of the glue boards  210  in the light trap  200  generating the alert. Alerts enable a technician to promptly address traps that are in need of servicing and to maximize their usefulness by always ensuring an effective glue board is present, for example. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , a flow diagram  500  is provided of image processing, performed by an image processing engine  150  (or  312 ), that is used to count flying insects using the monitoring device  100  and/or related server  310  or system. As depicted in  FIG.  7   , in order to process a raw image and determine the number of flying insects on the glue board, a number of steps can be taken. 
     Once the raw image  510  is received, a dewarping process  512  is performed. Specifically, if a fisheye or similar lens is used, the fisheye lens causes the captured image to be spatially warped (as objects near the edge of the image, they appear smaller). In order to make all objects in the image a consistent size, a de-warping transformation is applied. 
     Once an updated image  514  is obtained, a normalizing process  516  is performed. Due to variations in lighting conditions and shadows, some portions of the image may be lighter or darker than others. Accordingly, the image is normalized in this step to remove such variation and ensure that the remaining steps are applied equally to all parts of the image. 
     Accordingly, the resulting new image  518  is then subjected to a Gaussian Blur at  520 . A Gaussian blur is applied to reduce the noise present in the image. An updated image  522  is obtained. 
     Next, a thresholding process  524  is performed on the image  522 . Specifically, the image is passed through a threshold filter to distinguish between background and foreground objects. The result is a further updated image  526 . 
     This is followed by an erosion process  528  that is carried out on the image  526 . This is necessary, as due to the random arrangement of flying insects on the glue board, some flying insects may overlap with one another in the image. An erosion filter is applied to shrink the area covered by each flying insect, thereby separating some insect that are in close proximity to one another. A final processed image  530  is obtained. 
     Finally, the flying insect count can be estimated by counting number of foreground spots remaining in the image. This is done automatically with a high degree of accuracy following the processing steps. In some embodiments, the flying insets shown on the glue board will further be classified by size and shape. Various other data sets can be obtained from the processed image to document insect activity and trap usage. In some embodiments, alerts will be sent out to technicians in response to flying insect counts that identify particular traps for servicing. 
     Accordingly, image processing engine  150  can include instructions that, when executed on a server  310 , for example, cause the server  310  to: dewarp the digital photograph image to account for spacial warping near the edges of the images; normalize the digital photograph image to remove variations in lighting conditions and shadows; apply a Gaussian Blur to reduce noise present in the digital photograph image; use a threshold filter to distinguish between background objects and foreground objects in the digital photograph image; apply an erosion filter to shrink the area of the digital photograph image covered by each flying insect to separate closely located flying insects; and determine the insect count by automatically estimating the number foreground spots on the image. Further, the image processing engine can further include instructions that, when executed on the server, cause the server: to classify the flying insects shown by size and shape. Further, determinations related to whether a threshold insect count or percentage of glue board surface has been used can be made. Alert signals to technicians can be sent as necessary based upon such determinations. 
     Methods of monitoring flying insect light traps may include first capturing a digital photograph image of a glue board located in a flying insect trap followed by using an image processing engine that processes the digital photographic image and automatically provides an insect count as described above. Further, reporting the insect count may be included as well. Some embodiments may include identifying if the processed images or the corresponding insect counts are indicative of traps requiring servicing and sending alerts to technicians indicating traps that require servicing. 
     Various advantageous features can be realized from the devices, systems, and methods disclosed. For example, the monitoring device and camera configurations disclosed generally provide devices which generally lack moving parts which can come with the benefit of reduced costs and increased reliability. Further, in various embodiments, the ability to automatically classify insects based upon size and shape with the device or system provides potentially useful details beyond even basic insect count details that would not be readily available otherwise. This can be useful as knowing the classification of insects can lead to potentially different remediation actions or efforts. Further, because photographic image data is retained at regular intervals, this can provide important proof of service evidence to show that technicians are timely and effectively servicing traps and doing their jobs well. Having this evidence can help alleviate this issue as a possible point of contention with clients and technicians if the services of a technician are ever called into question. 
     In embodiments, monitoring device  100 , monitoring system  300 A, monitoring system  300 B, monitoring system  400 , and/or their components or systems can include computing devices, microprocessors, modules and other computer or computing devices, which can be any programmable device that accepts digital data as input, is configured to process the input according to instructions or algorithms, and provides results as outputs. In an embodiment, computing and other such devices discussed herein can be, comprise, contain or be coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) configured to carry out the instructions of a computer program. Computing and other such devices discussed herein are therefore configured to perform basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations. 
     Computing and other devices discussed herein can include memory. Memory can comprise volatile or non-volatile memory as required by the coupled computing device or processor to not only provide space to execute the instructions or algorithms, but to provide the space to store the instructions themselves. In embodiments, volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or static random access memory (SRAM), for example. In embodiments, non-volatile memory can include read-only memory, flash memory, ferroelectric RAM, hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic tape, or optical disc storage, for example. The foregoing lists in no way limit the type of memory that can be used, as these embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     In embodiments, the system or components thereof can comprise or include various modules or engines, each of which is constructed, programmed, configured, or otherwise adapted, to autonomously carry out a function or set of functions. The term “engine” as used herein is defined as a real-world device, component, or arrangement of components implemented using hardware, such as by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field-programmable gate array (FPGA), for example, or as a combination of hardware and software, such as by a microprocessor system and a set of program instructions that adapt the engine to implement the particular functionality, which (while being executed) transform the microprocessor system into a special-purpose device. An engine can also be implemented as a combination of the two, with certain functions facilitated by hardware alone, and other functions facilitated by a combination of hardware and software. In certain implementations, at least a portion, and in some cases, all, of an engine can be executed on the processor(s) of one or more computing platforms that are made up of hardware (e.g., one or more processors, data storage devices such as memory or drive storage, input/output facilities such as network interface devices, video devices, keyboard, mouse or touchscreen devices, etc.) that execute an operating system, system programs, and application programs, while also implementing the engine using multitasking, multithreading, distributed (e.g., cluster, peer-peer, cloud, etc.) processing where appropriate, or other such techniques. Accordingly, each engine can be realized in a variety of physically realizable configurations, and should generally not be limited to any particular implementation exemplified herein, unless such limitations are expressly called out. In addition, an engine can itself be composed of more than one sub-engines, each of which can be regarded as an engine in its own right. Moreover, in the embodiments described herein, each of the various engines corresponds to a defined autonomous functionality; however, it should be understood that in other contemplated embodiments, each functionality can be distributed to more than one engine. Likewise, in other contemplated embodiments, multiple defined functionalities may be implemented by a single engine that performs those multiple functions, possibly alongside other functions, or distributed differently among a set of engines than specifically illustrated in the examples herein. 
     Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted. 
     Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended. 
     Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein. 
     For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.