Patent Description:
Electronic animal traps function by delivering an electric shock of a certain power to an animal in the trap. The level of delivered power is designed to reliably kill the trapped animal. To generate the shock, some electronic animal traps draw power from batteries. The output voltage from the batteries dictates in part the power of the shock delivered by the trap.

<CIT> discloses an electronic rodent trap with a voltage booster circuit for improved trap performance over the life of the battery. A circuit and method for boosting the voltage input to the gate of a MOSFET switch used in an electronic rodent trap is shown. By boosting the voltage to the gate, the MOSFET can be fully turned on to activate an effective killing cycle in the electronic rodent trap even when the trap's battery voltage has dropped to a level that would otherwise be insufficient to fully activate the MOSFET.

The output voltage of the batteries, however, decreases over the life of the batteries. The power of the shock output by the trap is therefore dependent on the remaining battery life; the electronic trap outputs a shock with more power than designed when the batteries are new, and outputs a shock with less power than designed when the batteries are low. Using more power than necessary when the batteries are new results in a shorter lifespan of the batteries and a correspondingly lesser number of uses of the electronic trap before replacing the batteries. Using less power than necessary when the batteries are low results in a less reliable kill of the trapped animal.

A system according to the present invention for controlling a shock output of an electronic animal trap includes a battery, a transformer having a primary coil connected to the battery, and a controller connected to the battery and the primary coil. The controller has a shock cycle module determining a battery capacity of the battery and determining a shock enable time based on the battery capacity. The shock cycle module controls a primary current from the battery to run through the primary coil for the shock enable time.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures, of which:.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will convey the concept to those skilled in the art.

A system of an electronic animal trap according to an embodiment for controlling a shock output of the electronic animal trap is shown in <FIG>. The system, as shown in <FIG>, comprises a controller <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a charge pump <NUM> connected to the controller <NUM> and the battery <NUM>, a voltage adjuster <NUM> connected to the controller <NUM> and the charge pump <NUM>, a transformer <NUM> connected to the battery <NUM>, a field-effect transistor <NUM> connected to the voltage adjuster <NUM> and the transformer <NUM>, and a plurality of shocking plates <NUM>.

The controller <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, includes a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM> connected to the processor <NUM>, and a shock cycle module <NUM>. The memory <NUM> is a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as ROM or RAM, capable of storing computer instructions thereon that are executable by the processor <NUM>. The shock cycle module <NUM>, described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>, is a process or a series of functions performed by the controller <NUM> when the processor <NUM> executes an algorithm stored in the memory <NUM>.

The controller <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, transmits a first charge pulse <NUM> and a second charge pulse <NUM> to the charge pump <NUM>, and transmits a shock pulse <NUM> to the voltage adjuster <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first charge pulse <NUM>, the second charge pulse <NUM>, and the shock pulse <NUM> are each <NUM> volts (V).

The battery <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, is connected to the controller <NUM>, the charge pump <NUM>, and the transformer <NUM> and supplies a battery voltage <NUM> to the controller <NUM>, the charge pump <NUM>, and the transformer <NUM>. In an embodiment, the battery voltage <NUM> is approximately <NUM> V. In an embodiment, the battery <NUM> is a plurality of D cell batteries, for example, four D cell batteries. In other embodiments, the battery <NUM> may be a single or any combination of known batteries capable of supplying a voltage necessary for a shock power described herein. The battery <NUM> has a battery capacity <NUM> corresponding to an approximate remaining life or capacity of the battery <NUM>. In the shown embodiment, the battery capacity <NUM> is expressed as a percentage, but may alternatively be any other measure of capacity.

The charge pump <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, receives the battery voltage <NUM> from the battery <NUM> and is connected to the controller <NUM> and the voltage adjuster <NUM>. The charge pump <NUM> is connected to the controller <NUM> at a first charge point <NUM> and a second charge point <NUM>; the first charge point <NUM> receives the first charge pulse <NUM> from the controller <NUM> and the second charge point <NUM> receives the second charge pulse <NUM> from the controller <NUM>, as described in greater detail below. The charge pump <NUM> is adapted to boost the battery voltage <NUM> to a boosted voltage <NUM> that is higher than the battery voltage <NUM>. In an embodiment, the battery voltage <NUM> is <NUM> V and the boosted voltage <NUM> is <NUM> V.

The voltage adjuster <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, receives the boosted voltage <NUM> from the charge pump <NUM> and the shock pulse <NUM> from the controller <NUM>. The voltage adjuster <NUM> outputs an adjusted voltage <NUM> based on the boosted voltage <NUM> and the shock pulse <NUM>; the voltage adjuster <NUM> ensures that the adjusted voltage <NUM> is output at a consistent voltage level. In an embodiment, the adjusted voltage <NUM> is <NUM> V.

The transformer <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, has a primary coil <NUM> and a secondary coil <NUM> inductively coupled to the primary coil <NUM>. The primary coil <NUM> has a primary number of turns that is less than a secondary number of turns of the secondary coil <NUM>, and the turns of the secondary coil <NUM> are oriented in a direction opposite to the turns of the primary coil <NUM>. The primary coil <NUM> is connected to the battery <NUM> and receives the battery voltage <NUM> from the battery <NUM>. In an embodiment, the transformer <NUM> is a flyback transformer.

The field-effect transistor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, receives the adjusted voltage <NUM> from the voltage adjuster <NUM>. In an embodiment, the field-effect transistor <NUM> is a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). The field-effect transistor <NUM>, based on the adjusted voltage <NUM> received from the voltage adjuster <NUM>, acts as a gate to allow or prevent a primary current from the battery <NUM> from flowing through the primary coil <NUM>.

At least one of the plurality of shocking plates <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, is electrically connected to the secondary coil <NUM>. As described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>, at least one of the shocking plates <NUM> receives a shock output voltage <NUM> from the secondary coil <NUM> induced from the current flowing through the primary coil <NUM>. In an embodiment, one of the shocking plates <NUM> is indirectly connected to the controller <NUM> through a protection circuitry; this shocking plate <NUM> does not receive the shock output voltage <NUM> from the secondary coil <NUM> but connects to ground through a diode.

A controlling <NUM> of the shock output voltage <NUM> executed by the shock cycle module <NUM> will now be described in greater detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

A detection step <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, initiates the shock cycle module <NUM>. In the detection step <NUM>, the shock cycle module <NUM> detects whether an animal is positioned on the shocking plates <NUM>. The shock cycle module <NUM> has a detected state and an open state. In the detected state, the shock cycle module <NUM> determines that an animal is positioned on the shocking plates <NUM> by detection of a predetermined impedance across the shocking plates <NUM>, with the animal itself connecting the shocking plates <NUM>. In the open state, the shock cycle module <NUM> determines that no animal is positioned on the shocking plates <NUM> by detection of an open circuit between the shocking plates <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined impedance is ten kilohms to one megohm, corresponding to a resistance level of a rat. In other embodiments, the predetermined impedance level may be adjusted to correspond to the resistance level of any other animal for which the trap is intended. In other embodiments, the shock cycle module <NUM> could be initiated based on any other detection of the presence of an animal on the shocking plates <NUM>.

In a battery determination step <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the shock cycle module <NUM> determines the battery capacity <NUM> of the battery <NUM> after the shock cycle module <NUM> is initiated. The controller <NUM> receives the battery voltage <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The shock cycle module <NUM> determines the battery capacity <NUM> based on a relationship between the battery voltage <NUM> and the battery capacity <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM>. For a <NUM> V battery <NUM>, for example, a battery voltage <NUM> of <NUM> V corresponds to a battery capacity <NUM> of <NUM>%, and a battery voltage <NUM> of approximately <NUM> V corresponds to a battery capacity <NUM> of <NUM>%. In an embodiment, the relationship between the battery voltage <NUM> and the battery capacity <NUM> is linear and, in other embodiments, the shock cycle module <NUM> may determine the battery capacity <NUM> by any other method.

In a total shock time step <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the shock cycle module <NUM> sets a total shock time for applying the shock output voltage <NUM> to the shocking plates <NUM> for a single detection of an animal on the shocking plates <NUM>. The total shock time, as described in greater detail below, includes a plurality of shock cycles <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In an embodiment, if the animal detected on the shocking plates <NUM> is a mouse, the total shock time is <NUM> seconds. In another embodiment, if the animal detected on the shocking plates <NUM> is a rat, the total shock time is <NUM> seconds. In other embodiments, the particular animal detected on the shocking plates <NUM> and the total shock time can vary based on the desired application.

The shock cycle module <NUM> calculates a wait time <NUM> and a shock enable time <NUM> of the shock cycle <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, in a shock cycle calculation step <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In an embodiment, the wait time <NUM> is calculated according to the following equation: <MAT>.

The shock cycle module <NUM> performs the calculation of Equation <NUM> with the battery capacity <NUM> determined from step <NUM> in units of whole number percentages (i.e. percentage* <NUM>), calculating the wait time <NUM> in units of microseconds (µs). In an embodiment, the shock enable time <NUM> is calculated according to the following equation: <MAT>.

The shock cycle module <NUM> performs the calculation of Equation <NUM> after the wait time <NUM> is calculated, calculating the shock enable time <NUM> in units of microseconds.

Although each of the shock enable time <NUM> and the wait time <NUM> depend on the battery capacity <NUM> as shown in the above equations, a total duration of the shock enable time <NUM> and the wait time <NUM> is the same and is independent of the battery capacity <NUM>. In the shown embodiment, the total duration of the shock enable time <NUM> and the wait time <NUM> is <NUM>.

With the shock enable time <NUM> and the wait time <NUM> calculated, the shock cycle module <NUM> performs a start charge pump step <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. In the step <NUM>, the shock cycle module <NUM> controls the controller <NUM> to send the first charge pulse <NUM> to the first charge point <NUM>, and thereafter sends the second charge pulse <NUM> to the second charge point <NUM>. The shock cycle module <NUM> continues to control the controller <NUM> to alternatingly send the first charge pulse <NUM> to the first charge point <NUM> and the second charge pulse <NUM> to the second charge point <NUM> for a number of cycles. In an embodiment, the number of cycles is <NUM>, and the first charge pulse <NUM> and the second charge pulse <NUM> each have a duration of <NUM> millisecond (ms). The step <NUM> in part allows the charge pump <NUM> to boost the battery voltage <NUM> to the boosted battery voltage <NUM> that is sufficient to operate the field-effect transistor <NUM>.

After the charge pump <NUM> is activated in the start charge pump step <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the shock cycle module <NUM> executes a shock cycle process <NUM> corresponding to the shock cycle <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In a first pulse step <NUM> of the shock cycle process <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the shock cycle module <NUM> controls the controller <NUM> to send the first charge pulse <NUM> to the first charge point <NUM> for a first charge pulse time <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In the shown embodiment, the first charge pulse time <NUM> is <NUM>.

In a second pulse step <NUM> of the shock cycle process <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the shock cycle module <NUM> controls the controller <NUM> to send the second charge pulse <NUM> to the second charge point <NUM> for a second charge pulse time <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The second charge pulse time <NUM> is the same as the first charge pulse time <NUM> and, in the shown embodiment, is <NUM>. In addition to the start charge pump step <NUM>, the steps <NUM> and <NUM> allow the charge pump <NUM> to boost the battery voltage <NUM> to the boosted voltage <NUM> that is sufficient to operate the field-effect transistor <NUM>.

In a shock pulse step <NUM> of the shock cycle process <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the shock cycle module <NUM> activates the field-effect transistor <NUM>. The shock cycle module <NUM> controls the controller <NUM> to output the shock pulse <NUM> through the voltage adjuster <NUM> and to the field-effect transistor <NUM>. With the boosted voltage <NUM> from steps <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the shock pulse <NUM>, the adjusted voltage <NUM> output by the voltage adjuster <NUM> is sufficient to activate the field-effect transistor <NUM>. The shock pulse <NUM> is output by the controller <NUM> for the shock enable time <NUM> determined in step <NUM>, activating the field-effect transistor <NUM> for the shock enable time <NUM>. In an embodiment, in the shock pulse step <NUM>, the shock cycle module <NUM> also controls the controller <NUM> to send the first charge pulse <NUM> to the charge pump <NUM> for the shock enable time <NUM> to maintain a charge of the charge pump <NUM>.

<FIG> show a plurality of shock cycles <NUM> according to a first exemplary embodiment and <FIG> show a plurality of shock cycles <NUM> according to a second exemplary embodiment. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the activation of the field-effect transistor <NUM> in step <NUM> of <FIG> applies the battery voltage <NUM> to the primary coil <NUM> and, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, allows a primary current I<NUM> corresponding to the battery voltage <NUM> to increase in the primary coil <NUM> for the shock enable time <NUM>.

In a wait step <NUM> of the shock cycle process <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the shock cycle module <NUM> sends the second charge pulse <NUM> to the second charge point <NUM> for the wait time <NUM> determined in step <NUM>.

At the end of the shock enable time <NUM>, and the transition of the shock pulse step <NUM> to the wait step <NUM>, the field-effect transistor <NUM> is switched off or deactivated. When the field-effect transistor <NUM> is switched off, the primary current I<NUM> in the primary coil <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> induces a secondary current I<NUM> in the secondary coil <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Because the secondary number of turns of the secondary coil <NUM> is greater than the primary number of turns of the primary coil <NUM>, and is oriented in an opposite direction, the shock output voltage <NUM> output from the secondary coil <NUM> and applied to the shocking plates <NUM>, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, is much larger than the battery voltage <NUM> and has a negative charge. In an embodiment, the shock output voltage <NUM> is approximately <NUM> kV. In other embodiments, the particular value of the shock output voltage <NUM> can be different based on the application.

The shock cycle process <NUM>, corresponding to a single shock cycle <NUM>, ends at the end of the wait time <NUM> in step <NUM>. In an embodiment, the single shock cycle <NUM> has a total length of <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, after the wait step <NUM>, the shock cycle module <NUM> compares a current shock time to the total shock time determined in step <NUM> in a cycle determination step <NUM>, the current shock time reflective of a time for the shock cycle process <NUM>. If the current shock time is less than the total shock time, the shock cycle module <NUM> initiates the shock cycle process <NUM> again, resulting in additional shock cycles <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The shock cycle module <NUM> continues to loop through the shock cycle process <NUM> until the current shock time is greater than or equal to the total shock time, upon which the process of controlling <NUM> the shock output voltage <NUM> ends.

As shown in the embodiment of <FIG> and the embodiment of <FIG>, the calculation of the shock enable time <NUM> depending on the battery capacity <NUM> results in a shock output voltage <NUM> that is the same regardless of the battery capacity <NUM>. The battery voltage <NUM> and the amount of time that the field-effect transistor <NUM> remains open in the shock pulse step <NUM>, determined by the shock enable time <NUM>, determine an energy stored in the transformer <NUM> that can induce the secondary current I<NUM> in the secondary coil <NUM>. Targeting a same peak primary current I<NUM> in the primary coil <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, induces a same secondary current I<NUM> in the secondary coil <NUM> at the switching off of the field-effect transistor <NUM>, which creates a same shock output voltage <NUM>. The control based on the calculated shock enable time <NUM> permits the shock output voltage <NUM> to be independent of the battery capacity <NUM>.

<FIG> show an exemplary embodiment in which the battery capacity <NUM> is <NUM>%; in this embodiment, the shock enable time <NUM> is <NUM> according to Equation <NUM> and Equation <NUM> above. <FIG> conversely show an exemplary embodiment in which the battery capacity <NUM> is <NUM>%; in this embodiment, the shock enable time <NUM> is <NUM> according to Equation <NUM> and Equation <NUM>. Because the battery voltage <NUM> is lower in the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the field-effect transistor <NUM> must remain activated for a longer shock enable time <NUM> in order to achieve a target peak primary current I<NUM> in the primary coil <NUM>. This calculation allows the output of a consistent shock output voltage <NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM> kV in the shown embodiment, prolonging the life of the battery <NUM> and maintaining the shock output voltage <NUM> at an ideal level for effectiveness.

Claim 1:
A system for controlling a shock output of an electronic animal trap, comprising:
a battery (<NUM>);
a transformer (<NUM>) having a primary coil (<NUM>) connected to the battery (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) connected to the battery (<NUM>) and the primary coil (<NUM>), characterised in that the controller (<NUM>) has a shock cycle module (<NUM>), the shock cycle module (<NUM>) being configured to determine a battery capacity (<NUM>) of the battery (<NUM>), to calculate a wait time (<NUM>) from the battery capacity (<NUM>), to determine a shock enable time (<NUM>) based on the wait time (<NUM>) calculated from the battery capacity (<NUM>), and to control a primary current (I<NUM>) from the battery (<NUM>) to run through the primary coil (<NUM>) for the shock enable time (<NUM>).