Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an anti-poaching system and particularly to an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled anti-poaching system for forest conservation.
Description of Related Art
[002] Conservation of forest ecosystems faces continuous threats due to illegal activities such as poaching and unauthorized logging. Traditional methods of forest surveillance often depend on physical patrols, fencing, and manual observations. These approaches lack efficiency in covering vast forest areas and do not ensure timely response to threats. The absence of scalable and real-time monitoring systems continues to hinder the ability of authorities to act before significant damage occurs.
[003] Technological attempts to assist in forest protection have introduced the use of remote sensors, camera traps, and aerial surveillance. Camera traps capture photographic evidence but offer limited coverage and rely on battery life and memory cards. Aerial surveillance methods such as drones and helicopters involve high operational costs and limited flight durations. While these tools provide some level of automation, they do not form a unified or continuous monitoring system across multiple locations.
[004] Existing electronic solutions further suffer from connectivity challenges in dense forests, high deployment costs, and maintenance requirements. Many systems lack the ability to relay information instantly or to function autonomously in remote areas. As a result, there remains a critical gap in reliable, affordable, and efficient methods to monitor tree conditions and detect human or environmental threats in real-time.
[005] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced Internet of Things (IoT) enabled anti-poaching system for forest conservation that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled anti-poaching system for forest conservation. The system comprising a tree unit adapted to be installed on a tree. The tree unit comprises a temperature sensor adapted to measure a temperature of the tree; a gyroscopic sensor adapted to measure an orientation of the tree; an operational amplifier adapted to encode the measured temperature and the orientation in a data packet; and a radio transmitter adapted to transmit the data packet to a radio receiver. The system further comprising a base station wirelessly connected to the tree unit. The base station comprises a microcontroller communicatively connected to the radio receiver. The microcontroller is configured to receive the data packet from the radio receiver; decode the data packet; compare the orientation of the tree with a first preset threshold level; compare the temperature of the tree with a second preset threshold level, when the orientation of the tree deviates from the first preset threshold level; generate an alert, when the temperature of the tree deviates from the second preset threshold level; and activate a communication unit to transmit the generated alert to a user device.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for forest conservation using an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled anti-poaching system. The method comprising steps of measuring a temperature of a tree; measuring an orientation of the tree; encoding the measured temperature and the orientation in a data packet; transmitting the data packet, using a radio transmitter, to a radio receiver; receiving the data packet from the radio receiver; decoding the data packet; comparing the orientation of the tree with a first preset threshold level; comparing the temperature of the tree with a second preset threshold level, when the orientation of the tree deviates from the first preset threshold level; generating an alert, when the temperature of the tree deviates from the second preset threshold level; and activating a communication unit to transmit the generated alert to a user device.
[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 an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled anti-poaching system for forest conservation.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an anti-poaching system that provides immediate detection of tree tampering or temperature anomalies, allowing authorities to respond quickly to potential poaching or environmental threats.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an anti-poaching system that lowers labor costs and reduces risks for forest rangers.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an anti-poaching system that enables comprehensive coverage without significant infrastructure.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an anti-poaching system that ensures long-term, economical operation, especially suited for resource-constrained conservation efforts.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an anti-poaching system that ensures centralized data access and automatic SMS alerts, making it easier to manage and track forest conditions from remote locations.
[0014] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0015] 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
[0016] 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:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled anti-poaching system for forest conservation, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2A illustrates a first graph, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2B illustrates a second graph, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2C illustrates a user interface, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0021] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for forest conservation using the Internet of Things (IoT) enabled anti-poaching system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] 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
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled anti-poaching system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100) for forest conservation, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may be adapted to monitor trees in a forest and/or conservational area. The system 100 may alert authorities upon detecting disturbances in the trees. The authorities may further intervene to prevent deforestation and poaching of the trees.
[0027] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may incorporate non-limiting hardware components to enhance the processing speed and efficiency as the system 100 may comprise a tree unit 102, a base station 104, a user device 106, a temperature sensor 108, a gyroscopic sensor 110, an operational amplifier 112, a radio transmitter 114, a radio receiver 116, a microcontroller 118, a communication unit 120, a wireless communicator 122, an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled cloud server 124, and a display unit 126. In an embodiment of the present invention, the hardware components of the system 100 may be integrated with computer-executable instructions for overcoming the challenges and the limitations of the existing systems.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the tree unit 102 may be adapted to be installed on a tree. The tree unit 102 may comprise components such as, but not limited to, the temperature sensor 108, the gyroscopic sensor 110, the operational amplifier 112, the radio transmitter 114, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any components that may be encapsulated in the tree unit 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensor 108 may be adapted to measure a temperature of the tree. The temperature sensor 108 may be embedded in a bark, a trunk, a branch, and so forth of the tree. The temperature sensor 108 may be, but not limited to, a thermocouple, a thermometer, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensor 108 may be a 10k Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the temperature sensor 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gyroscopic sensor 110 may be adapted to measure an orientation of the tree. The gyroscopic sensor 110 may be embedded in a bark, a trunk, a branch, and so forth of the tree. The gyroscopic sensor 110 may be, but not limited to, a ring laser gyro, a disk laser gyro, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gyroscopic sensor 110 may be an ADXL335 accelerometer. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the gyroscopic sensor 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the operational amplifier 112 may be adapted to encode the measured temperature and the orientation in a data packet. The operational amplifier 112 may be, but not limited to, an encoder, a multiplexer, a demultiplexer, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operational amplifier 112 may be an LM358 dual op-amp. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the operational amplifier 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the radio transmitter 114 may be adapted to transmit the data packet to the radio receiver 116. The radio transmitter 114 may be a part of the tree unit 102. However, the radio receiver 116 may be a part of the base station 104. The radio transmitter 114 may operate on an electromagnetic spectrum frequency of 433 megahertz (MHz).
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base station 104 may be adapted to be in a wireless connection with the tree. The base station 104 may comprise components such as, but not limited to, the radio receiver 116, the microcontroller 118, the communication unit 120, the wireless communicator 122, the Internet of Things (IoT) enabled cloud server 124, the display unit 126, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any components that may be encapsulated in the base station 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the radio receiver 116 may be adapted to receive the data packet transmitted by the radio transmitter 114. The radio receiver 116 may operate on an electromagnetic spectrum frequency of 433 megahertz (MHz). The radio receiver 116 may further be adapted to transmit the data packet to the microcontroller 118.
[0035] The microcontroller 118 may be communicatively connected to the radio receiver 116. The microcontroller 118 may be configured to receive the data packet from the radio receiver 116. The microcontroller 118 may be configured to decode the data packet. The microcontroller 118 may be configured to compare the orientation of the tree with a first preset threshold level. Upon comparison, if the orientation of the tree deviates from the first preset threshold level, then the microcontroller 118 may be configured to compare the temperature of the tree with a second preset threshold level. Upon comparison, if the temperature of the tree deviates from the second preset threshold level, then the microcontroller 118 may be configured to generate an alert.
[0036] The microcontroller 118 may be configured to activate the communication unit 120 to transmit the generated alert to the user device 106. The communication unit 120 may be, but not limited to, an Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) modem, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) modem, a Code Divisional Multiple Access (CDMA) modem, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 120 may be a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) modem. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication unit 120, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] The microcontroller 118 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 118 may be an Arduino Uno. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the microcontroller 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The microcontroller 118 may further be powered by a power supply unit (not shown). The power supply unit may supply a 9-volt (v) Direct Current (DC) to the microcontroller 118.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communicator 122 may be adapted to upload the decoded data packet to the Internet of Things (IoT) enabled cloud server 124 for a real-time status monitoring and recordkeeping. The Internet of Things (IoT) enabled cloud server 124 may operate on a ThingsSpeak protocol. The wireless communicator 122 may be, but not limited to, a Bluetooth Radio, a Long Range (LoRa) radio, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communicator 122 may be an Espressif 8266 (ESP8266) wireless radio. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the wireless communicator 122, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 126 may be adapted to display the real-time status monitoring of the tree. The display unit 126 may be, but not limited to, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 126 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). Further, the display unit 126 may feature a backlight that may be turned on and/or turned off based on a requirement. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit 126, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 106 may be an electronic device adapted to be used by the authorities. The user device 106 may be adapted to receive the alert generated by the microcontroller 118. The alert received by the user device 106 may be represented on a user interface 204 of the user device 106. In an embodiment of the present invention, the alerts and the user interface 204 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2C.
[0041] The user device 106 may further be adapted to enable the real-time status monitoring of the tree. The real-time status monitoring may be conducted by a first graph 200 and a second graph 202. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first graph 200 and the second graph 202 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, respectively.
[0042] The user device 106 may be, but not limited to, a smartphone, a laptop, a wearable accessory, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0043] FIG. 2A illustrates the first graph 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first graph 200 may represent the measurement of the orientation of the tree. The measurement of the orientation of the tree may lie between 1 and 0. The value "1" may indicate the orientation of the tree may deviate from the first preset threshold level, whereas the value "0" may indicate the orientation of the tree may lie between the first preset threshold level.
[0044] FIG. 2B illustrates the second graph 202, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The second graph 202 may represent the measurement of the temperature of the tree. The measurement of the temperature of the tree may lie between 1 and 0. The value "1" may indicate the temperature of the tree may deviate from the second preset threshold level, whereas the value "0" may indicate the temperature of the tree may lie between the first preset threshold level.
[0045] FIG. 2C illustrates the user interface 204, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user interface 204 may be adapted to represent the alert received on the user device 106. In an embodiment of the present invention, the alert represented on the user interface 204 of the user device 106 may be of a first type and a second type. The first type of the alert may indicate a deviation of the orientation of the tree from the first preset threshold level. The second type of the alert may indicate a deviation of the temperature of the tree from the second preset threshold level.
[0046] The first type and the second type of the alert represented on the user interface 204 may be, but not limited to a pop-up alert, a flash alert, a ringer alert, a silent alert, a push alert, a hidden alert, an electronic mail alert, an always on-screen alert, and so forth. In a predefined embodiment of the present invention, the first type and the second type of the alert represented on the user interface 204 may be a Short Message Service (SMS) alert. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any first type and the second type of the alert that may be represented on the user interface 204, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0047] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for forest conservation using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] At step 302, the system 100 may measure the temperature of the tree.
[0049] At step 304, the system 100 may measure the orientation of the tree.
[0050] At step 306, the system 100 may encode the measured temperature and the orientation in the data packet.
[0051] At step 308, the system 100 may transmit the data packet, using the radio transmitter 114, to the radio receiver 116.
[0052] At step 310, the system 100 may receive the data packet from the radio receiver 116.
[0053] At step 312, the system 100 may decode the data packet.
[0054] At step 314, the system 100 may compare the orientation of the tree with the first preset threshold level. If the orientation of the tree deviates from the first preset threshold level, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 316. Else, the method 300 may revert to a step 304.
[0055] At step 316, the system 100 may compare the temperature of the tree with the second preset threshold level. If the temperature of the tree deviates from the second preset threshold level, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 318. Else, the method 300 may revert to a step 302.
[0056] At step 318, the system 100 may generate the alert.
[0057] At step 320, the system 100 may activate the communication unit 120 to transmit the generated alert to the user device 106.
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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. An Internet of Things (IoT) enabled anti-poaching system (100) for forest conservation, the system (100) comprising:
a tree unit (102) adapted to be installed on a tree, the tree unit (102) comprises:
a temperature sensor (108) adapted to measure a temperature of the tree;
a gyroscopic sensor (110) adapted to measure an orientation of the tree;
an operational amplifier (112) adapted to encode the measured temperature and the orientation in a data packet; and
a radio transmitter (114) adapted to transmit the data packet to a radio receiver (116); and
a base station (104) wirelessly connected to the tree unit (102), wherein the base station (104) comprises:
a microcontroller (118) communicatively connected to the radio receiver (116), characterized in that the microcontroller (118) is configured to:
receive the data packet from the radio receiver (116);
decode the data packet;
compare the orientation of the tree with a first preset threshold level;
compare the temperature of the tree with a second preset threshold level, when the orientation of the tree deviates from the first preset threshold level;
generate an alert, when the temperature of the tree deviates from the second preset threshold level; and
activate a communication unit (120) to transmit the generated alert to a user device (106).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a wireless communicator (122) adapted to upload the decoded data packet to an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled cloud server (124) for a real-time status monitoring and recordkeeping.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a display unit (126) adapted to display a real-time status monitoring of the tree.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor (108) is a 10k Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gyroscopic sensor (110) is an ADXL335 accelerometer.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operational amplifier (112) is an LM358 dual op-amp.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radio transmitter (114) and the radio receiver (116) are configured to operate on an electromagnetic spectrum frequency of 433 megahertz (MHz).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (118) is an Arduino Uno.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication unit (120) is a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) modem.
10. A method (300) for forest conservation using an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled anti-poaching system (100), the method (300) is characterized by steps of:
measuring a temperature of a tree;
measuring an orientation of the tree;
encoding the measured temperature and the orientation in a data packet;
transmitting the data packet, using a radio transmitter (114), to a radio receiver (116);
receiving the data packet from the radio receiver (116);
decoding the data packet;
comparing the orientation of the tree with a first preset threshold level;
comparing the temperature of the tree with a second preset threshold level, when the orientation of the tree deviates from the first preset threshold level;
generating an alert, when the temperature of the tree deviates from the second preset threshold level; and
activating a communication unit (120) to transmit the generated alert to a user device (106).
Date: April 22, 2025
Place: Noida

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