Sensor for a wireless animal trap detection system

Abstract

An animal trap sensor includes a base having a distal end and a proximal end, a switch having a first metallic element and a second metallic element, and a signal unit, in which, when the first metallic element contacting the second metallic element, thereby forming a closed circuit, such that the signal unit transmits a signal to an off-site receiver. Or, an animal trap sensor includes a first portion and a second portion electrically connected with a signal unit including a power supply, in which, when the first and the second portions are disposed at a first distance between each other, thereby generating an output property, in which, when the first and the second portions are disposed at a second distance between each other, which is different from the first distance, thereby changing the output property and causing the signal unit to transmit a signal to an off-site receiver.

1 . A method of trapping an animal comprising:
 providing an animal trap;   disposing an animal trap sensor unto the animal trap, wherein the animal trap sensor comprises:
 a first portion comprising a magnet, and 
 a second portion comprising a magnetically-responsive component and electrically connected with a signal unit comprising a power supply; 
   moving the first portion and the second portion, when the animal trap is tripped, from a first distance between each other, which generates an output property, to a second distance between each other, which is different from the first distance, thereby changing the output property and causing the signal unit to generate a signal; and   sending the signal to an off-site receiver to register a capture event.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the animal trap sensor further comprises a test mode control mechanism for initiating the test mode. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the test mode control mechanism comprises a test mode button for initiating the test mode. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal unit further comprises an indicator configured to indicate that the animal trap is triggered. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the capture event registered in the test mode is not counted as a capture event in a trend analysis for predicting future capture event. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the output property comprises a voltage. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein changing the output property comprises lowering the voltage. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetically-responsive component is a Hall effect sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetically-responsive component is a magnetoresistor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal comprises a trigger message. 
     
     
         11 . A method of trapping an animal comprising:
 providing an animal trap;   disposing an animal trap sensor unto the animal trap, wherein the animal trap sensor comprises:
 a first portion comprising a magnet, and 
 a second portion comprising a magnetically-responsive component and electrically connected with a signal unit comprising a power supply; 
   optionally initiating a test mode and sending a signal to an off-site receiver;   optionally moving the sensor and sending a move signal to the off-site receiver;   moving the first portion and the second portion, when the animal trap is tripped, from a first distance between each other, which generates an output property, to a second distance between each other, which is different from the first distance, thereby changing the output property and causing the signal unit to generate a signal; and   sending the signal to the off-site receiver to register a capture event,
 wherein, when the test mode is initiated, if the off-site receiver receives the signal to register a capture event, this indicates that the animal sensor is operational; and if the off-site receiver does not receive the signal, this indicates that the animal sensor is not operational, and 
 wherein the move signal indicates the sensor has been moved and is not operational. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising initiating a test mode and sending a signal to the off-site receiver. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising moving the sensor and sending a move signal to the off-site receiver. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the animal trap sensor further comprises a test mode control mechanism for initiating the test mode. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the test mode control mechanism comprises a test mode button for initiating the test mode. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the capture event registered in the test mode is not counted as a capture event in a trend analysis for predicting future capture event. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the output property comprises a voltage. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein changing the output property comprises lowering the voltage. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnetically-responsive component is a Hall effect sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnetically-responsive component is a magnetoresistor.