Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an ultrasonic mosquito repellent, particularly to a smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent, and a method for repelling mosquitos by utilizing snoring sound of a user.
Description of Related Art
[002] Mosquitoes, houseflies, and honeybees are examples of some common insects that live alongside humans. These insects are the primary opponents of human communities. Because these pests are well-known for transmitting illness, the label "enemy" seems appropriate. Mosquito-borne illnesses are those that are spread by mosquito bites. Mosquito bites can transmit diseases such as the Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue fever, and malaria. Purchasing mosquito repellent in addition to essential household supplies has become a common practice in social communities. Mosquito repellants have been successfully marketed in the business sector as a preventative and precautionary measure.
[003] All pest antiperspirants evaporate on the skin, impairing a mosquito's ability to detect its prey. This is how medications like Icaridin and diethyltoluamide (often referred to as DEET) work. Although DEET is presently the most powerful insect repellent on the market and remains effective for up to four hours after application, it is not completely safe, particularly at large doses. Citronella and tea tree oil are some examples of natural essential oils that appear to have less negative health effects but are less reliable. The only entirely safe type of protection is a physical barrier, such as fly screens on windows, mosquito nets over beds, or appropriate protective clothing
[004] Conventionally, the solution is designed in the form of spreading chemical vapor over the skin that causes various allergic reactions and breathing syndromes. In addition, over usage of such chemicals can cause side effects.
[005] There is thus a need for a smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent that can overcome the shortcoming faced by traditional methods in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent. The mosquito repellent includes a sound sensor configured to sense snoring sounds produced by the user. The mosquito repellent further includes an ultrasonic wave emitter configured to produce ultrasonic vibrations of a specific frequency, wherein the ultrasonic wave emitter is powered by a battery. The mosquito repellent further includes a processing unit connected to the sound sensor and the ultrasonic wave emitter. The processing unit is configured to: receive the sensed snoring sound produced by the user from the sound sensor; compare the received snoring sound produced by the user with a threshold value stored in a memory; actuate the ultrasonic wave emitter in a buck mode, when the received snoring sound produced by the user is greater than the threshold value; and actuate the ultrasonic wave emitter in a boost mode, when the received snoring sound produced by the user is less than the threshold value.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for repelling mosquitos using ultrasonic waves. The method comprising steps of: receiving a sensed snoring sound produced by a user from a sound sensor; comparing the received snoring sound produced by the user with a threshold value stored in a memory; actuating an ultrasonic wave emitter in a buck mode, when the received snoring sound produced by the user is greater than the threshold value; and actuating the ultrasonic wave emitter in a boost mode, when the received snoring sound produced by the user is less than the threshold value.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application provide a smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent that discourages usage of chemical based mosquito repellant.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent that utilizes ultrasonic frequencies falling outside of human hearing ranges.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent that is designed to minimize the utilization of the mosquito repellant which results in conservation of energy and less exposure to ultrasonic radiations.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent that provides a solution to healthcare centers associated with infants and patients with breathing syndromes.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent that is designed to be cost-effective, and less hazardous.
[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 block diagram depicting a smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a processing unit of the smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for repelling mosquitos using ultrasonic waves, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] 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
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent 100 (hereinafter referred to as the mosquito repellent 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the mosquito repellant 100 may be designed to minimize a utilization of the mosquito repellant 100 that results in a conservation of energy and a less exposure to ultrasonic radiations. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the mosquito repellant 100 may be designed to provide a solution to healthcare centers associated with infants and patients with breathing syndromes. The mosquito repellant 100 may be designed to be odorless to prevent any potential irritation or respiratory distress. Additionally, mosquito repellant 100 may be non-allergenic to minimize a risk of triggering allergies or sensitivities in users. Furthermore, the mosquito repellant 100 may be designed to be cost-effective, and less hazardous. According to embodiments of the present invention, the mosquito repellant 100 may be used in locations such as, but not limited to, a bedroom, a hotel room, a dormitory, a train coach, an airplane, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location for utilization of the mosquito repellant 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mosquito repellent 100 may comprise a sound sensor 102, a processing unit 104, an ultrasonic wave emitter 106, a battery 108, a battery charging unit 110, and a smart controller 112.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sound sensor 102 may be configured to sense snoring sounds produced by the user. The sound sensor 102 may be arranged in an auditory proximity to the snoring sounds produced by the user, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sound sensor 102 may receive analogue sound waves that may later be converted to digital pulses. The process of conversion from the analogue sound waves to the digital pulses may be executed using a transducer (not shown), in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sound sensor 102 may be, but not limited to, a dynamic sound sensor, a condenser sound sensor, a ribbon sound sensor, a carbon sound sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sound sensor 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] The processing unit 104 of the mosquito repellant 100 may be connected to the sound sensor 102, to receive the snoring sounds produced by the user, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 104 may further be connected to the ultrasonic wave emitter 106. The processing unit 104 may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in a memory (not shown) to generate the output. In an embodiment of the present invention, the computer-executable instructions may comprise a sound processing algorithm, a frequency describer for ultrasonic wave emitter 106, and so forth. The processing unit 104 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processing unit 104 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] The memory may be a non-transitory data storage medium that may be configured to store the computer-executable instructions, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The memory may be, but not limited to, a Random-Access Memory (RAM) device, a Read Only Memory (ROM) device, a flash memory, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may be configured to produce ultrasonic vibrations of a specific frequency. The ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may further be configured to convert snoring sound (emitted by the user while asleep) into ultrasonic vibrations of the specific frequency, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may be configured to apply advanced signal processing techniques to analyze snoring sound produced by the user and extract the characteristic features of snoring sound from ambient noise. The extracted characteristic features of the snoring sound may further be subjected to a frequency-up conversion process to convert them into ultrasonic vibrations of the specific frequency, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may utilize the frequency-up conversion process to modulate the snoring sound onto a carrier signal with a higher frequency. This process may involve mixing or heterodyning methods to achieve a desired modulation.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the modulation techniques may be an amplitude modulation (AM), a frequency modulation (FM), a phase modulation (PM), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the modulation techniques including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] The ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may be capable of producing the ultrasonic vibrations based on an output generated by the processing unit 104 of the mosquito repellant 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the frequency of the ultrasonic vibrations emitted by the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may be in a range above 20,000 Hertz (Hz) or 20 kiloHertz (kHz).
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may be capable of producing the ultrasonic vibrations of a maximum frequency. The resulting ultrasonic frequencies fall outside the audible range for humans and have a proven repellent effect on the mosquitoes. In another embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may be capable of producing the ultrasonic vibrations of a medium frequency. Further, the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may be configured to be operated on a buck-boost conversion principle. The buck-boost conversion principle may regulate the frequencies of the ultrasonic vibrations that may be produced by the ultrasonic wave emitter 106, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, a buck mode of the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may increase an intensity of the ultrasonic vibrations of the specific frequency in a gradual manner.
[0036] In another embodiment of the present invention, the boost mode of the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may increase the intensity of the ultrasonic vibrations of the specific frequency in a sudden manner.
[0037] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may further be configured to remain in a sleep mode. The sleep mode of the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 prevents the generation of the ultrasonic vibrations of the specific frequency.
[0038] According to embodiments of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may be, but not limited to, a mechanical generator, an electrical generator, an oscillator generator, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the ultrasonic wave emitter 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery 108 may be configured to provide an operational power to the ultrasonic wave emitter 106. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the battery 108 may be a rechargeable battery. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the battery 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0040] According to embodiments of the present invention, the battery 108 may be of any composition such as, but not limited to, a Nickel – Cadmium battery, a Nickel – Metal Hydride battery, a Zinc – Carbon battery, a Lithium – Ion battery, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any composition of the battery 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0041] According to embodiments of the present invention, the battery 108 may be of any form factor such as, but not limited to, an AAA form, an AA form, a button form, a chip form, a bar form, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any form factor of the battery 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery 108 may be charged using the battery charging unit 110.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the smart controller 112 may be configured to incorporate smart features in the mosquito repellent 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the smart features incorporated in the mosquito repellent 100 by the smart controller 112 may be, but not limited to, a setting of timer, a connectivity with a user device (not shown), an application of motion sensors, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any smart features incorporated by the smart controller 112 in the mosquito repellent 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the smart controller 112 may allow the user to set the timer for the mosquito repellent 100. This feature may enable the user to schedule the operation of the mosquito repellent 100 and may specify a duration for which the mosquito repellent 100 should be active.
[0044] In another embodiment of the present invention, the smart controller 112 may have a capability to establish a wireless connection with the user device that may be but not limited to a smartphone, a tablet, or a computer via a communication medium (not shown). In the embodiments of the present invention, the communication medium may be a Bluetooth, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), other communication protocols, and so forth. The capability to establish the wireless connection may allow the user to control and monitor the mosquito repellent 100 remotely using a dedicated mobile application (not shown) or a web interface (not shown). Through the connected user device, the user may access additional functionalities, that may be but not limited to adjusting settings, checking a battery status, receiving notifications, gathering a usage data, and so forth.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the processing unit 104 of the mosquito repellent 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing unit 104 may comprise the computer-executable instructions in a form of programming modules that may be a data receiving module 200, a data comparison module 202, and an actuation module 204.
[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the sensed snoring sound produced by the user from the sound sensor 102. The data receiving module 200 may further transmit the snoring sound produced by the user to the data comparison module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be configured to compare the received snoring sound produced by the user with a threshold value stored in a memory. Upon comparison, the data comparison module 202 may be configured to transmit either a buck mode activation signal or a boost mode activation signal to the actuation module 204. In an embodiment of the present invention, the buck mode activation signal may be transmitted when the received snoring sound produced by the user is greater than the threshold value. The boost mode activation signal may be transmitted when the received snoring sound produced by the user is less than the threshold value, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation module 204 may be configured to actuate the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 in either a buck mode or a boost mode based upon either the buck mode activation signal or the boost mode activation signal received. While operating in the buck mode or the boost mode, the battery 108 may be disconnected from the battery charging unit 110, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may be actuated in the buck mode when the received snoring sound produced by the user is greater than the threshold value. The ultrasonic wave emitter 106 may be actuated in the boost mode when the received snoring sound produced by the user is less than the threshold value, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation module 204 may further be configured to enable the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 to remain in the sleep mode when there are no snoring sounds produced by the user. While operating in the sleep mode, the battery 108 may be connected to the battery charging unit 110, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for repelling mosquitos using ultrasonic waves, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] At step 302, the mosquito repellent 100 may sense the snoring sound produced by the user from the sound sensor 102.
[0051] At step 304, the mosquito repellent 100 may check for any received snoring sound produced by the user from the sound sensor 102. The method 300 may proceed to a step 308 when the mosquito repellent 100 may sense the snoring sound produced by the user. Otherwise, the method 300 may proceed to a step 306.
[0052] At step 306, the mosquito repellent 100 may remain in the sleep mode.
[0053] At step 308, the mosquito repellent 100 may compare the received snoring sound produced by the user with the threshold value stored in the memory. The method 300 may proceed to a step 310 when the received snoring sound produced by the user is greater than the threshold value stored in the memory. Otherwise, the method 300 may proceed to a step 312.
[0054] At step 310, the mosquito repellent 100 may actuate the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 in the buck mode.
[0055] At step 312, the mosquito repellent 100 may actuate the ultrasonic wave emitter 106 in the boost mode.
[0056] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the diagrams and combinations of blocks in the diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto one or more general purpose computers, special purpose computers, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce machines, such that the instructions which execute on the computers or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks. Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the block or blocks.
[0057] 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 spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0058] 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 smart ultrasonic mosquito repellent (100), the mosquito repellent (100) comprising:
a sound sensor (102) configured to sense snoring sounds produced by the user;
an ultrasonic wave emitter (106) configured to produce ultrasonic vibrations of a specific frequency, wherein the ultrasonic wave emitter (106) is powered by a battery (108); and
a processing unit (104) connected to the sound sensor (102), and the ultrasonic wave emitter (106), wherein the processing unit (104) is configured to:
receive the sensed snoring sound produced by the user from the sound sensor (102);
compare the received snoring sound produced by the user with a threshold value stored in a memory;
actuate the ultrasonic wave emitter (106) in a buck mode, when the received snoring sound produced by the user is greater than the threshold value; and
actuate the ultrasonic wave emitter (106) in a boost mode, when the received snoring sound produced by the user is less than the threshold value.
2. The mosquito repellent (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery (108) is disconnected from a battery charging unit (110) when the ultrasonic wave emitter (106) is operating in the buck mode or in the boost mode.
3. The mosquito repellent (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buck mode of the ultrasonic wave emitter (106) increases an intensity of the ultrasonic vibrations of the specific frequency in a gradual manner.
4. The mosquito repellent (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the boost mode of the ultrasonic wave emitter (106) increases an intensity of the ultrasonic vibrations of the specific frequency in a sudden manner.
5. The mosquito repellent (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (104) is configured to enable the ultrasonic wave emitter (106) to remain in a sleep mode when the processing unit (104) receives no snoring sounds produced by the user.
6. The mosquito repellent (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery (108) is connected to the battery charging unit (110) when the ultrasonic wave emitter (106) is in a sleep mode.
7. The mosquito repellent (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleep mode of the ultrasonic wave emitter (106) stops a generation of the ultrasonic vibrations of the specific frequency.
8. The mosquito repellent (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic wave emitter (106) is configured to apply advanced signal processing techniques to analyze snoring sound produced by the user and extract the characteristic features of snoring sound from ambient noise.
9. The mosquito repellent (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a smart controller (112) configured to incorporate smart features in the mosquito repellent (100).
10. A method (300) for repelling mosquitos using ultrasonic waves, the method (300) comprising steps of:
receiving a sensed snoring sound produced by a user from a sound sensor (102);
comparing the received snoring sound produced by the user with a threshold value stored in a memory;
actuating an ultrasonic wave emitter (106) in a buck mode, when the received snoring sound produced by the user is greater than the threshold value; and
actuating the ultrasonic wave emitter (106) in a boost mode, when the received snoring sound produced by the user is less than the threshold value.
Date: December 14, 2023
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)