Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a pest repellent system and particularly to a vision based pest repellent system for polyhouses.
Description of Related Art
[002] Polyhouse farming has emerged as a prominent method of controlled environment agriculture, providing enhanced crop yields and protection against unfavorable weather conditions. However, a major challenge in polyhouse cultivation is the risk posed by insects and rodents. These pests not only damage crops physically but also spread diseases, resulting in substantial economic losses for farmers. Traditional pest control methods primarily depend on chemical pesticides, which, although effective in managing infestations, raise concerns regarding their environmental and health impacts.
[003] The excessive use of chemical pesticides has raised concerns about soil degradation, water contamination, and the decline of beneficial organisms such as pollinators and natural predators. Additionally, pests can develop resistance to chemical treatments over time, rendering them less effective and requiring increased application rates. This escalating cycle of pesticide dependence not only raises input costs for farmers but also contributes to long-term ecological imbalances. As a result, researchers and agriculturalists have sought alternative pest control measures that minimize environmental impact while ensuring effective protection against pests in polyhouse settings.
[004] Various non-chemical pest management strategies have been explored, including biological control agents, mechanical barriers, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches. While these methods provide certain advantages, they often require continuous monitoring, high implementation costs, or specialized knowledge.
[005] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced vision based pest repellent system for polyhouses that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a vision based pest repellent system for polyhouses. The system comprising an imaging unit, placed within and around a polyhouse, adapted to detect a presence of pests in the polyhouse. The system further comprising ultrasonic emitters, placed within and around the polyhouse, adapted to emit ultrasonic irradiation inside the polyhouse. The ultrasonic irradiation is emitted with variable frequencies to prevent the pests from developing resistance. The system further comprising a control unit communicatively connected to the imaging unit and to the ultrasonic emitters. The control unit is configured to receive the detected presence of the pests in the polyhouse; and activate the ultrasonic emitters to emit the ultrasonic irradiation, upon detection of the presence of the pests in the polyhouse.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for pest control using a vision based pest repellent system. The method comprising steps of placing ultrasonic emitters at locations within and around a polyhouse; receiving a detected presence of pests in the polyhouse; activating the ultrasonic emitters to emit ultrasonic irradiation, upon detection of presence of the pests in the polyhouse; adjusting a frequency and an intensity of the ultrasonic irradiation, based on detected pest activity; and monitoring and regulating the ultrasonic irradiation to ensure an optimal pest control.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a vision based pest repellent system for polyhouses.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a pest repellent system that eliminates the need for harmful chemical pesticides. The system may be an eco-friendly and non-toxic solution for crop protection.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a pest repellent system that selectively targets pests without disrupting beneficial insects and biodiversity.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a pest repellent system that requires minimal upkeep compared to repeated pesticide applications, reducing labor and input costs for farmers.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a pest repellent system that ensures healthier plant growth, leading to better crop yields and improved produce quality.
[0013] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0014] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a vision based pest repellent system for polyhouses, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for pest control using the vision based pest repellent system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] 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 scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a vision based pest repellent system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100) for polyhouses, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may be adapted to detect pests and pest activity in a polyhouse 102. Further, the system 100 may be adapted to ultrasonically conduct pest control in the polyhouse 102. The conduction of ultrasonic pest control may reduce reliance on chemical reagents. The pests controlled by the system 100 may be, but not limited to, insects, rodents, flies, and so forth. The system 100 may be installed in the polyhouse 102. The polyhouse 102 may be a greenhouse-like structure that may utilize a plastic covering to create a controlled environment for growing crops.
[0023] The system 100 may comprise an imaging unit 104, ultrasonic emitters 106, a directional emission engine 108, a control unit 110, a remote control 112, a power supply unit 114, and a computing unit 116.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the imaging unit 104 may be placed within and around the polyhouse 102. The imaging unit 104 may be adapted to detect a presence of the pests in the polyhouse 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the imaging unit 104 may be further configured to estimate an extent of the pests present in the polyhouse 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the imaging unit 104 may also be configured to detect a human presence in the polyhouse 102. The imaging unit 104 may be, but not limited to, an image sensor, a light sensor, a thermal screener, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging unit 104 may be a camera. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the imaging unit 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic emitters 106 may be placed within and around the polyhouse 102. The ultrasonic emitters 106 may be arranged in a predetermined pattern to ensure an uniform coverage of the polyhouse 102. The ultrasonic emitters 106 may be adapted to emit ultrasonic irradiation inside the polyhouse 102. Further, the ultrasonic irradiation may be emitted with variable frequencies to prevent the pests from developing resistance. Furthermore, a frequency and an intensity of the ultrasonic irradiation may be adjustable to target specific types of the pests. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic emitters 106 may be ultrasonic speakers. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the ultrasonic emitters 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, the ultrasonic emitters 106 may comprise the directional emission engine 108. The directional emission engine 108 may be adapted to focus the ultrasonic irradiation on targeted areas with higher pest activity.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be connected to the imaging unit 104 and to the ultrasonic emitters 106. The control unit 110 may be configured to receive the detected presence of the pests in the polyhouse 102.
[0027] Further, upon detection of the presence of the pests in the polyhouse 102, the control unit 110 may be configured to activate the ultrasonic emitters 106 to emit the ultrasonic irradiation. In some embodiments of the present invention, before activating the ultrasonic emitters 106, the control unit 110 may be configured to determine that no humans are present in surroundings of the polyhouse 102 to prevent potential unintended exposure. The control unit 110 may be configured to analyze the human presence based on the images received from the imaging unit 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 110 may be configured to receive signals from Infrared sensors, motion detectors, cameras with Artificial Intelligence (AI) based recognition, biometric scanning, or a combination thereof, to analyze the human presence in proximity of the surroundings of the polyhouse 102.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may further comprise a safety alert mechanism designed to notify individuals who may be sensitive to ultrasonic emissions, such as pregnant women and children. The control unit 110 may be configured to transmit an alert to the computing unit 116 upon determining the presence of such individuals within or in proximity to the polyhouse 102 through the imaging unit 104. The alert may be transmitted as relay notifications through various channels such as mobile applications, SMS alerts, audible alarms, or visual indicators like LED signals. The alert may also be transmitted to wearable devices or smart home assistants within a proximal range to provide real-time notifications. In cases where an individual enters the polyhouse 102 while the ultrasonic emitters 106 are active, the system 100 may be configured to automatically deactivate the ultrasonic emissions to ensure safety.
[0029] The control unit 110 may further be adapted to adjust irradiation parameters such as the frequency, intensity, and/or duration of the ultrasonic irradiation emitted by the ultrasonic emitters 106 based on the detected extent of the pests. By enabling the dynamic adjustment in the irradiation parameters, the control unit 110 may be configured to enable an effective pest deterrence with an optimized power consumption. Additionally, the system 100 may include an adaptive response mechanism such as the control unit 110 may be configured to trigger an escalation in the intensity of the ultrasonic irradiation upon detecting a prolonged high pest presence. The control unit 110 may further be configured to prompt an alert to a user for additional pest control measures.
[0030] The control unit 110 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the remote control 112 may be adapted to transmit commands to the control unit 110 to adjust the frequency and the intensity of the ultrasonic irradiation emitted by the ultrasonic emitters 106. For example, in scenarios where a higher concentration of pests is detected within a specific area of the polyhouse 102, a user may utilize the remote control 112 to manually increase the ultrasonic frequency to a predefined level that is more effective in repelling pests. Conversely, if minimal pest activity is detected, the user may lower the intensity of the ultrasonic irradiation to conserve energy. The remote control 112 may be implemented as a handheld wireless device, a mobile application, or an integrated control panel within the polyhouse 102, allowing for convenient real-time adjustments.
[0031] In an exemplary scenario of the present invention, the ultrasonic irradiation emitted by the ultrasonic emitters 106 may create a bodily stress and disorientation in the pests. As the pests may be going under the bodily stress and mental confusion, the pests may tend to escape a vicinity of the ultrasonic irradiation. As the ultrasonic emitters 106 may be placed and arranged in the predetermined pattern inside of the polyhouse 102, therefore, to escape the vicinity of the ultrasonic irradiation, the pests may leave the polyhouse 102 altogether. Moreover, if the pests may not be leaving the polyhouse 102, then the frequency and the intensity of the ultrasonic irradiation may be elevated. The elevated ultrasonic irradiation may cause a stress in the pests, and may deter the pests from the polyhouse 102 to achieve a pest-free environment in the polyhouse 102.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the remote control 112 may further be configured with an adaptive mode that allows automatic frequency modulation based on real-time pest behavior data. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be configured to analyze pest movement patterns, species-specific sensitivity, and environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature, and adjust the ultrasonic irradiation dynamically for optimal pest deterrence. Additionally, the remote control 112 may include an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered recommendation module that may be configured to suggest optimal frequency and intensity settings based on historical pest activity data and environmental conditions.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 114 may be adapted to supply operational power to the control unit 110. The power supply unit 114 may be, but not limited to, a solar panel, a battery, a mains power connection, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the power supply unit 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the computing unit 116 may be adapted for remote monitoring of the ultrasonic emitters 106. The computing unit 116 may further be adapted for a control interface (not shown) of the ultrasonic emitters 106. The computing unit 116 may be, but not limited to, a personal computer, a desktop, a server, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, a notebook, a netbook, a smartphone, a wearable device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the computing device, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the remote control 112 may be communicatively linked to the computing unit 116 via a wired or wireless connection, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, LoRa, or a cellular network. This connection enables seamless data exchange between the remote control 112 and the computing unit 116, allowing users to remotely adjust ultrasonic frequency, intensity, and duration through an intuitive interface on the computing device. Additionally, the computing unit 116 may be configured to log and analyze the control adjustments made via the remote control 112, generating reports on pest activity trends and system performance over time.
[0035] Furthermore, the computing unit 116 may serve as a bridge between the remote control 112 and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven automation system, enabling predictive adjustments based on historical pest behavior data, environmental conditions, and real-time detection inputs. The integration of the computing unit 116 with cloud-based analytics may also facilitate remote diagnostics and software updates for optimizing functionality of the system 100.
[0036] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for pest control using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] At step 202, the ultrasonic emitters 106 may be placed at locations within and around the polyhouse 102.
[0038] At step 204, the system 100 may receive the detected presence of the pests in the polyhouse 102 using the imaging unit 104.
[0039] At step 206, if the presence of the pests may be detected in the polyhouse 102, then the method 200 may proceed to a step 208. Otherwise, the method 200 may return to the step 204.
[0040] At step 208, the system 100 may activate the ultrasonic emitters 106 to emit the ultrasonic irradiation.
[0041] At step 210, the system 100 may adjust the frequency and the intensity of the ultrasonic irradiation, based on the detected pest activity.
[0042] At step 212, the system 100 may monitor and regulate the ultrasonic irradiations to ensure an optimal pest control.
[0043] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0044] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A vision based pest repellent system (100) for polyhouses, the system (100) comprising:
an imaging unit (104) placed within and around a polyhouse (102), and adapted to detect a presence of pests in the polyhouse (102), wherein the imaging unit (104) is an imaging unit;
ultrasonic emitters (106) placed within and around the polyhouse (102), and adapted to emit ultrasonic irradiation inside the polyhouse (102), wherein the ultrasonic irradiation is emitted with variable frequencies to prevent the pests from developing resistance; and
a control unit (110) communicatively connected to the imaging unit (104) and to the ultrasonic emitters (106), characterized in that the control unit (110) is configured to:
receive the detected presence of the pests in the polyhouse (102); and
activate the ultrasonic emitters (106) to emit the ultrasonic irradiation, upon detection of the presence of the pests in the polyhouse (102).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic emitters (106) comprise a directional emission engine (108) adapted to focus the ultrasonic irradiation on targeted areas with higher pest activity.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a remote control (112) adapted to adjust a frequency and an intensity of the ultrasonic irradiation emitted by the ultrasonic emitters (106).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a frequency and an intensity of the emitted ultrasonic irradiation is adjustable to target specific types of pests selected from insects, rodents, flies, or a combination thereof.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic emitters (106) are arranged in a predetermined pattern to ensure a uniform coverage of the polyhouse (102).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a power supply unit (114) adapted to supply operational power to the control unit (110), wherein the power supply unit (114) is selected from a solar panel, a battery, a mains power connection, or a combination thereof.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic emitters (106) are ultrasonic speakers.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a computing unit (116) adapted for remote monitoring and control interface.
9. A method (200) for pest control using a vision based pest repellent system (100), characterized in that the method (200) comprising steps of:
placing ultrasonic emitters (106) at locations within and around a polyhouse (102);
receiving a detected presence of pests in the polyhouse (102);
activating the ultrasonic emitters (106) to emit ultrasonic irradiation, upon detection of presence of the pests in the polyhouse (102);
adjusting a frequency and an intensity of the ultrasonic irradiation, based on detected pest activity; and
monitoring and regulating the ultrasonic irradiation to ensure an optimal pest control.
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pests are selected from insects, rodents, flies, or a combination thereof.
Date: March 07, 2025
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant