Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a secured wildlife observation device specifically engineered to aid users in safely navigating forests or national parks, allowing them to observe wildlife with enhanced accessibility and protection, thereby improving the experience and effectiveness of wildlife tracking and monitoring while ensuring minimal disturbance to the animals in their natural habitats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Observing wildlife in forests and national parks is essential for understanding ecosystems and fostering biodiversity conservation. Forests and parks provide a natural habitat for countless species, from mammals and birds to insects and plants, each playing a unique role in the ecological balance. Through wildlife observation, scientists and conservationists gather critical data on species behavior, population dynamics, and habitat needs. Such knowledge helps in crafting conservation strategies and assessing the health of natural environments. Additionally, observation allows for early detection of changes or threats, like invasive species, habitat degradation, or climate effects, which can then be addressed proactively. For the public, witnessing wildlife in its natural setting fosters a sense of connection and responsibility toward environmental stewardship. This not only enhances tourism and local economies but also spreads awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife for future generations, thus encouraging sustainable interactions with nature.

[0003] Traditional methods of wildlife observation in forests and national parks often include direct visual tracking, manual counting, and setting up physical traps or camera traps. Rangers and researchers commonly walk trails to identify species by sight, sound, or physical evidence such as footprints and droppings. They may also rely on binoculars, spotting scopes, and even hand-recorded notes for documenting animal behaviors and movements. While these methods offer valuable first-hand insight, they have notable drawbacks. Direct tracking can disturb the animals, altering their natural behaviors or driving them to other areas. Manual counting is often labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to human error, especially in dense habitats. Physical traps, though effective for collecting data on specific species, can pose risks to animals and non-target species. Additionally, these traditional methods limit coverage area, making it challenging to gather comprehensive data over large, remote, or inaccessible terrains. As a result, the data obtained may lack the precision needed for effective conservation planning.

[0004] US10398130B2 provides a monitoring system for influencing animal behavior includes a processor subsystem to: receive, at the monitoring system, an indication of an animal proximate to a restricted area; determine whether to activate a repellent device and an attractant device to maneuver the animal away from the restricted area; and activate the repellent device and the attractant device when the determination is positive.

[0005] US10772295B2 discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle for determining geolocation foraging zones for animals, the unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a processor-based monitoring device to monitor a plurality of geolocations, an identification device to identify an animal and to track a position of the animal in relation to the plurality of geolocations, a risk analysis device to evaluate a level of risk associated with each of the plurality of geolocations, and a mapping device coupled to the monitoring device to select a geolocation foraging zone when the level of risk associated with the geolocation foraging zone is below a predetermined threshold value.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices aim to influence animal behavior, but these devices typically lack the ability to detect the presence, type, and distance of an animal, and do not offer a responsive mechanism to either deter the animal or maintain a safe distance. Unlike traditional devices, the present invention integrates advanced sensing technology to detect wildlife presence and proximity, providing real-time alerts and automated responses to ensure user safety. Additionally, it aids users in navigating forests or national parks by offering guidance, reducing potential hazards, and promoting safe, respectful interaction with wildlife in their natural environment.

[0007] To address the limitations of existing devices, there is a need for an innovative solution that not only assists users in safely navigating through forests or national parks for wildlife observation, but also integrates advanced sensing technology to detect the presence, type, and distance of animals, offering a responsive mechanism to either deter wildlife or ensure a safe distance is maintained, thereby enhancing both the safety of the user and the conservation of wildlife by minimizing human interference and ensuring a more secure, interactive experience in natural environments.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device designed to assist users in navigating through forests or national parks for wildlife observation, enhancing ease of travel and safety while minimizing environmental disturbance; this device will allow users to explore challenging terrains effectively, ensuring a closer, more immersive experience in observing wildlife in their natural habitats.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of detecting an animal's presence, type, and distance, and accordingly provide means to either deter the animal or maintain a safe distance, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the risk of human-animal conflicts through proactive intervention and controlled deterrence.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that provide the user with information about a specific animal, enabling them to observe and understand its behaviors more effectively, thus enhancing their knowledge and appreciation of the animal's natural habits, social interactions, and overall lifestyle in a real-time or recorded format suitable for educational and research purposes.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a secured wildlife observation device that aids users in safely navigating through forests or national parks, equipped with features such as GPS tracking, real-time environmental data, and secure connectivity, ensuring an enhanced and protected wildlife observation experience while minimizing disruption to natural habitats and ensuring the safety of both users and wildlife.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a secured wildlife observation device, comprises of a meshed housing developed to be accessed by a user for getting accommodated inside the housing, a pair of looped track wheels arranged underneath the housing for moving the housing inside the forest/national parks to allow the accommodated user to experience a real time interaction with animals present in the forest/national parks, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the housing detect presence, kind and distance of an animal from the housing and accordingly directs the wheels to cease movement of the housing at a safe distance from the animal in view of allowing the user to observe behavior of the animal, a holographic projector installed on the housing project virtual images inside the housing demonstrating information about the detected animal in view of aiding the user in understanding behavior of the animal, a multi-sectioned chamber arranged on the housing, each integrated with a slidable plate allow the animal to intake food accommodated on the plate in view of feeding the animal, in case the imaging unit monitors aggressive behavior of the user, and an electronically controlled nozzle mounted on a water reservoir installed on the housing dispense pressurized water towards the animal in a regulated manner in view of deterring the animal away from the housing.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises of an air blower arranged on the housing, and an extendable protective canopy arranged on the housing.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an internal view of a secured wildlife observation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a secured wildlife observation device crafted to aid users in safely navigating forests or national parks, enhancing experience in observing wildlife by providing essential support for tracking, recording, and understanding animal behaviors in natural habitats without disturbing the surrounding environment.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an internal view of a secured wildlife observation device is illustrated, comprising a meshed housing 101 developed to be accessed by a user for getting accommodated, a touch interactive display panel 102 arranged on the housing 101, a pair of looped track wheels 103 arranged underneath the housing 101, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 installed on the housing 101, a holographic projector 105 installed on the housing 101, a multi-sectioned chamber 106 arranged on the housing 101, each integrated with a slidable plate 107, an electronically controlled nozzle 108 mounted on a water reservoir 109 installed on the housing 101, an air blower 110 arranged on the housing 101 and an extendable protective canopy 111 arranged on the housing 101.

[0023] The device proposed herein includes a meshed housing 101 that is developed to be accessed by a user for getting accommodated inside the housing 101, in view of observing wildlife in forest/national parks. The housing 101 as mentioned herein serves as a structural foundation to various components associated with the device, wherein the housing 101 is made up of material that includes but not limited to stainless steel, which in turn ensures that the device is of generous size and is light in weight.

[0024] In order to activate functioning of the device, a user is required to manually switch on the device by pressing a button positioned on the housing 101, wherein the button used herein is a push button. Upon pressing of the button, the circuits get closed allowing conduction of electricity that leads to activation of the device and vice versa.

[0025] Upon activation of the device by the user, an inbuilt microcontroller embedded within the housing 101 and linked to the switch generates a command to activate a touch interactive display panel 102 arranged on the housing 101 for providing input commands regarding an area within the forest/national park for observation of wildlife. The touch interactive display panel 102 as mentioned herein is typically an (Liquid Crystal Display) screen that presents output in a visible form. The screen is equipped with touch-sensitive technology, allowing the user to interact directly with the display using their fingers. A touch controller IC (Integrated Circuit) is responsible for processing the analog signals generated when the user inputs details regarding an area within the forest/national park for observation of wildlife. The touch controller is typically connected to the microcontroller through various interfaces which may include but are not limited to SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit).

[0026] The microcontroller is embedded with a GPS (Global Positioning System) module for fetching real-time location coordinates of the housing 101. The GPS (Global Positioning System) module is a satellite-based navigation system. The satellites present in space moving in fixed orbits transmits information about the real-time location of the housing 101 The signals travel at the speed of light and are intercepted by the GPS module such that the GPS module calculates the distance of each satellite and based on the time taken by the information to arrive at the receiver. The GPS module locates four or more satellites and calculates the distance between each of them. Using this information, the GPS module finds out the current location of the housing 101. Once the distance is determined, the GPS module uses a trilateration method to determine the exact position of the housing 101 and thus fetching the real-time location coordinates of the housing 101.

[0027] In response to input commands of the user, the microcontroller actuates a pair of looped track wheels 103 arranged underneath the housing 101 for moving the housing 101 in the forest/national park to allow the accommodated user to experience a real time interaction with animals present in the forest/national parks.

[0028] The pair of looped track wheels 103 uses continuous belt-like tracks that wrap around a series of wheels 103 attached to the housing 101. These tracks are powered by a motor, typically located within the housing 101. When the motor engages, it drives the tracks to rotate continuously around the wheels 103, creating traction with the ground. This traction allows the housing 101 to move smoothly across the forest/national park to allow the accommodated user to experience a real time interaction with animals present in the forest/national parks.

[0029] An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 installed on the housing 101 is activated by the microcontroller to detect presence, kind and distance of an animal from the housing 101. The imaging unit 104 comprises of an image capturing arrangement including a set of lenses that captures multiple images in surrounding of the housing 101, and the captured images are stored within memory of the imaging unit 104 in form of an optical data. The imaging unit 104 also comprises of a processor that is integrated with artificial intelligence protocols, such that the processor processes the optical data and extracts the required data from the captured images. The extracted data is further converted into digital pulses and bits and are further transmitted to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received data and determines presence, kind and distance of an animal from the housing 101.

[0030] The microcontroller assesses the distance between the animal and the housing 101 and commands the wheels 103 to stop the housing 101 at a safe, predetermined distance from the animal, ensuring that the user can observe the animal’s behavior without causing disturbance; helping maintain an optimal viewing position, protecting both the user and the animal while enabling uninterrupted observation of natural behaviors for research or educational purposes.

[0031] A holographic projector 105 installed on the housing 101 is actuated by the microcontroller to project virtual images inside the housing 101 demonstrating information about the detected animal. The holographic projector 105 works by creating and projecting holograms, which are three dimensional images formed by the interference of light waves. Firstly, the laser light from the holographic projector 105 is split into two beams, the object beam which interacts with the housing 101 and light waves are altered based on the shape and features of the housing 101 and the reference beam which remains unchanged. The altered object beam and the reference beam intersect to create an interference pattern. This pattern is reordered on a photosensitive surface such as a holographic plate 107. The interference pattern contains information about the phase and amplitude of the light waves preserving the three-dimensional details of the…. during projection, a laser beam is directed onto the recorded interference pattern diffracting the laser light, reconstructing the original wavefronts from the housing 101 and the reference beams. The reconstructed wavefronts create a three-dimensional image that appears to float in space to project virtual images inside the housing 101 demonstrating information about the detected animal in view of aiding the user in understanding behavior of the animal.

[0032] A multi-sectioned chamber 106 arranged on the housing 101, each integrated with a slidable plate 107 is deployed by the microcontroller to allow the animal to intake food accommodated on the plate 107 in view of feeding the animal. The slidable plate 107 includes a motorized slider, such that the plate 107 is mounted over the rack that are electronically operated by the microcontroller for moving over the rail. The microcontroller activates the slider for performing the sliding operation. The slider is powered by a DC (direct current) motor that is activated by the microcontroller by providing required electric current to the motor. The motor comprises of a coil that converts the received electric current into mechanical force by generating magnetic field, thus the mechanical force provides the required power to the rack to provide sliding movement to the plate 107 in order to deploy the plate 107 in order to allow the animal to intake food accommodated on the plate 107 in view of feeding the animal.

[0033] In case the microcontroller via the imaging unit 104 monitors aggressive behavior of the user, the microcontroller actuates an electronically controlled nozzle 108 mounted on a water reservoir 109 installed on the housing 101 to dispense pressurized water towards the animal in a regulated manner, based on kind of the detected animal. The electronically controlled nozzle 108 works by utilizing electrical energy to automize the flow solution in a controlled flow pattern by converting the pressure energy of a fluid into kinetic energy, which increases the fluid's velocity to get dispensed. Upon actuation of nozzle 108 by the microcontroller, the electric motor or the pump pressurizes water within the reservoir 109, increasing its pressure significantly. High pressure enables the water to get dispensed out with a high force towards the animal in a regulated manner, thus deterring the animal away from the housing 101.

[0034] A speaker mounted on the housing is synchronously activated by the microcontroller to produce high-frequency sounds, for maintaining a safe distance from the animal. The speaker works by receiving signals from the microcontroller, converting them into sound waves through a diaphragm’s vibration, and producing audible sounds with the help of amplification and control circuitry in order to produce high-frequency sounds, for maintaining a safe distance from the animal.

[0035] In case the animal corresponds to small animals, the microcontroller activates an air blower 110 arranged on the housing 101 to blow pressurized air towards the animal for deterring the animal. The air blower 110 comprises of a vortex, heater, impeller and an outlet duct. The blower 110 increases the pressure of the air drawn for the surrounding of the housing 101 by a series of vortex motions formed by the centrifugal movement of the impeller. Upon actuation of the blower 110 by the microcontroller, the impeller is rotating wherein the channels in the impeller push the drawn air from the surrounding forward through a heating unit, that increase the temperature of the absorbed air by creating the centrifugal movement that generates a helical movement of the air. During this centrifugal movement, the absorbed air is continuously compressed along the channel and the pressure increases linearly. The pressurized air is transferred from the outlet duct of the blower 110 towards the animal for deterring the animal.

[0036] Multiple LED flashlights arranged on the housing are subsequently activated by the microcontroller for deterring the animal. The LED flashlights are a two-lead semiconductor light source also known as p-n junction which produce the lighting when constant voltage is supplied across the diode. When the voltage is supplied across the diode, the electrons recombine with the electrons hole in the diode which result in conversion of electron into photons which is another form of light, thus deterring the animal.

[0037] In case the animal is not deterring, the microcontroller actuates an extendable protective canopy 111 arranged on the housing 101 to get deployed over the housing 101 in view of protecting the accommodated user from the animal. The extension/retraction of the extendable protective canopy 111 is operated by the microcontroller by employing a drawer arrangement installed within the canopy 111. The drawer arrangement consists of multiple plate 107s that are overlapped to each other with a sliding unit, wherein upon actuation of the drawer arrangement by the microcontroller, the motor in the sliding unit starts rotating a wheel coupled via a shaft in clockwise/anticlockwise direction providing a movement to the slider in the drawer arrangement to deploy the canopy 111 over the housing 101 in view of protecting the accommodated user from the animal.

[0038] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is preferably a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0039] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the meshed housing 101 that is developed to be accessed by the user for getting accommodated inside the housing 101, in view of observing wildlife in forest/national parks. Upon activation of the device by the user, the inbuilt microcontroller embedded within the housing 101 and linked to the switch generates the command to activate the touch interactive display panel 102 for providing input commands regarding the area within the forest/national park for observation of wildlife. In response to input commands of the user, the microcontroller actuates the pair of looped track wheels 103 for moving the housing 101 in the forest/national park to allow the accommodated user to experience the real time interaction with animals present in the forest/national parks. the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 is activated by the microcontroller to detect presence, kind and distance of the animal from the housing 101. The microcontroller assesses the distance between the animal and the housing 101 and commands the wheels 103 to stop the housing 101 at the safe, predetermined distance from the animal, ensuring that the user can observe the animal’s behavior without causing disturbance. the holographic projector 105 is actuated by the microcontroller to project virtual images inside the housing 101 demonstrating information about the detected animal in view of aiding the user in understanding behavior of the animal. the multi-sectioned chamber 106 with the slidable plate 107 is deployed by the microcontroller to allow the animal to intake food accommodated on the plate 107 in view of feeding the animal. In case the microcontroller via the imaging unit 104 monitors aggressive behavior of the user, the microcontroller actuates the electronically controlled nozzle 108 to dispense pressurized water towards the animal in the regulated manner, based on kind of the detected animal. In case the animal corresponds to small animals, the microcontroller activates the air blower 110 to blow pressurized air towards the animal for deterring the animal. In case the animal is not deterring, the microcontroller actuates the extendable protective canopy 111 to get deployed over the housing 101 in view of protecting the accommodated user from the animal.

[0040] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , C , Claims:1) A secured wildlife observation device, comprising:

i) a meshed housing 101 developed to be accessed by a user for getting accommodated inside said housing 101, wherein a pair of looped track wheels 103 are arranged underneath said housing 101 for moving said housing 101 on a ground surface of a forest/national parks to allow said accommodated user to experience a real time interaction with animals present in said forest/national parks;
ii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 installed on said housing 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said housing 101, respectively in sync with a proximity sensor mounted on said housing 101 to detect presence, kind and distance of an animal from said housing 101;
iii) an inbuilt microcontroller integrated with said housing 101 for processing said detected distance of animal along with kind of animal detected, in accordance to which said microcontroller directs said wheels 103 to cease movement of said housing 101 at a safe distance from said animal in view of allowing said user to observe behavior of said animal, wherein a holographic projector 105 is installed on said housing 101 that is actuated by said microcontroller to project virtual images inside said housing 101 demonstrating information about said detected animal in view of aiding said user in understanding behavior of said animal; and
iv) a multi-sectioned chamber 106 arranged on said housing 101, each integrated with a slidable plate 107 that is deployed by said microcontroller to allow said animal to intake food accommodated on said plate 107 in view of feeding said animal, wherein in case said imaging unit 104 monitors aggressive behavior of said user, said microcontroller actuates an electronically controlled nozzle 108 mounted on a water reservoir 109 installed on said housing 101 to dispense pressurized water towards said animal in a regulated manner in view of deterring said animal away from said housing 101.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein based on kind of said detected animal, said microcontroller regulates flow of water dispensed for deterring said animal.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an air blower 110 is arranged on said housing 101 that is actuated by said microcontroller to blow pressurized air towards said animal for deterring said animal, in case said aggressive animal corresponds to small animals.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case said animal is not deterring, said microcontroller actuates an extendable protective canopy 111 arranged on said housing 101, to get deployed over said housing 101 in view of protecting said accommodated user from said animal.