Method and apparatus for detecting target objects

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a method and devices for the detection of target objects, such as landmines, using the odor characteristics which may be associated with the target objects as a way of detecting their presence. The invention includes devices used to carry out a method of training live animals, such as rats, to seek out the target objects in the field, or to localize, unearth, and mark the location thereof.

1 . A method for detecting the presence and location of a target object comprising the steps of: 
 training a live animal in a controlled environment to respond to certain characteristics associated with the target object;    rewarding the animal when the characteristic associated with the target object has been sensed; and    releasing the animal into an area to detect the presence of such target objects in said area by sensing said characteristics associated with the target object.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the live animal is trained to develop an addiction to a substance having a characteristic odor which is associated with the target object.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the live animal is rewarded with a positive reinforcement in the form of an addictive drug or foodstuff when the characteristic odor associated with the target object is detected by the animal by isolating and identifying the characteristic odor associated with the target object.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of mounting on the animal a carry pack that releases conspicuous pellets or signals at predetermined intervals of time to identify an area or areas where the animal spent increased periods of time.  
   
   
       5 . A receptacle for use in training an animal to detect the presence of a target object, the receptacle comprising: 
 a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber in use receives a substance having a characteristic odor to be sensed by the animal and the second chamber in use receives a substance comprising a reward to the animal;    at least one hole in the first chamber through which the odor of the substance therein may pass from the first chamber to the outside of the first chamber;    access means in the second chamber so that the animal can obtain at least a portion of the substance in the second chamber.    
   
   
       6 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising means for connecting the housing to the target object.  
   
   
       7 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the housing is substantially cylindrical in shape, and a base is formed at one end of the housing and is secured to a dummy or actual target object.  
   
   
       8 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the at least one hole in the housing defining the first chamber comprises a plurality of perforations formed in the housing.  
   
   
       9 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the access means in the housing defining the second chamber comprises a plurality of apertures formed in the housing through which the substance comprising the reward is dispensed to the animal.  
   
   
       10 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the access means in the housing defining the second chamber comprises a plurality of apertures formed in the housing through which the substance comprising the reward is accessed by the animal.  
   
   
       11 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the target object is a landmine and the receptacle is attached thereto.  
   
   
       12 . A carry pack for an animal used to detect the presence of a target object by sensing a characteristic odor associated with the target object, the carry pack comprising: 
 a container housing defining a chamber, the container housing having a forward end and a rearward end;    an aperture in the container housing through which route markers located in the chamber can be dispensed from the chamber to the outside thereof;    dispensing means associated with the container housing for ejecting from the chamber at predetermined intervals route markers in the container housing;    attachment means for securing the container housing to the animal.    
   
   
       13 . A carry pack as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the aperture is at the rearward end of the container housing and has mounted therein a tube through which route markers are dispensed.  
   
   
       14 . A carry pack as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the attachment means comprise a pair of front shoulder straps for securing around the arms of the animal and a rear abdominal strap for securing to the abdomen of the animal.  
   
   
       15 . A carry pack as claimed in  claim 12  further comprising route markers in the container housing, the route markers comprising a plurality of highly visible pellets.  
   
   
       16 . A carry pack for an animal used to detect the presence of a target object by sensing a characteristic odor associated with the target object, the carry pack comprising: 
 a container housing defining a space;    transmission and receiving means within the space for effecting communication between the carry pack and a remote control source;    a chamber within the space for containing route markers, the chamber further having a dispensing channel leading to the outside of the container housing and a timed release means for sequentially ejecting route markers from the chamber at predetermined intervals;    a prong extending from the container housing and having an outside end outside the container housing and an inside end within the space, the prong having at its outside end activation means which can be activated by the animal;    a signal processor in the space and connected to the inside end of the prong, the signal processor processing signals originating from the activation means, and being connected to the transmission and receiving means;    a substance delivery means connected to the signal processor for delivering to the animal a predetermined substance in response to the activation of the activation means.    
   
   
       17 . A carry pack as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the container housing comprises a substantially flat base member, a cover plate which fits over the base member, and an antenna connected to the transmission and receiving means within the space.  
   
   
       18 . A carry pack as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the activation means comprises a clasp which is activated by the biting or gnawing thereof by the animal.  
   
   
       19 . A carry pack as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the prong further comprises a light member along its length, the light member being illuminated when the remote control source determines that the animal has been in a specific area for a preselected amount of time.  
   
   
       20 . A carry pack as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the substance delivery means comprises at least one supply container for a substance for delivery to the animal, a flexible tube extending from the supply container, a pump for pumping the substance from the supply container through the flexible tube, and a dispensing end on the flexible tube though which the substance is provided to the animal.  
   
   
       21 . A carry pack as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the dispensing end comprises a cannula for intracranial insertion in the animal.  
   
   
       22 . A carry pack as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the substance delivery means comprises three separate supply containers each having its own flexible tube so that different substances can be delivered to the animal.  
   
   
       23 . A carry pack as claimed in  claim 16  further comprising a plurality of external antenna for location with respect to each other so as to define a search area in which the animal carrying the carry pack operates.  
   
   
       24 . A kit for use in the detection of a target object to be detected by an animal, the kit comprising: 
 a receptacle having a first chamber for containing a substance having an odor associated with the target object and at least one hole through which the odor can permeate to the ambient environment, and a second chamber for containing a reward substance and having access means for providing access to the animal; and    a carry pack for mounting on the animal, the carry pack having dispensing means for dispensing visible objects therefrom at predetermined intervals.    
   
   
       25 . A kit as claimed in  claim 24  further comprising a plurality of antennae for arrangement with respect to each other so as to define a search area, and wherein the carry pack comprises transmission and receiving means for effecting electronic signal communication with the antennae.  
   
   
       26 . A kit as claimed in  claim 25  comprising at least three antennae which are used to define a triangular search area.  
   
   
       27 . A kit as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the carry pack comprises: 
 a container housing defining a space;    transmission and receiving means within the space for effecting communication between the carry pack and a remote control source;    a chamber within the space for containing the visible objects, the dispensing means comprising a dispensing channel leading to the outside of the container housing and a timed release means for sequentially ejecting visible objects from the chamber at predetermined intervals;    a prong extending from the container housing and having an outside end outside the container housing and an inside end within the space, the prong having at its outside end activation means which can be activated by the animal;    a signal processor in the space and connected to the inside end of the prong and to the transmission and receiving means, the signal processor processing signals originating from the activation means;    a substance delivery means connected to the signal processor for delivering to the animal a predetermined substance in response to the activation of the activation means.