Abstract: A system may include a trap and a consumable. The trap may include a data capture mechanism configured to capture data and send the data to a system operator. The consumable may include a device having an associated electronic identification code. A status-determining mechanism may be configured to determine a status of the consumable, which status may be readable via the data capture mechanism. The consumable may include a sensor configured to detect flying insects via mutual capacitance sensing. The sensor may be configured to provide a directional fringe field responsive to a flying insect. The sensor may include a plurality of sensor triplets arranged in a grid array. Each sensor triplet may include a sensor conductor and two electrically conductive un-grounded conductors. The two un-grounded conductors may be disposed one on either side of the sensor conductor to form the sensor triplet.

Abstract: A pest monitoring system may include a sensor and a sensor unit. The sensor may be configured to measure a change in fringe capacitance. The sensor unit may include a housing, at least one microprocessor, a non-volatile memory, a transceiver, a clock, and a connector operatively connected to the sensor. The housing may include a power source. The sensor unit may be programmed to manage power usage.

Abstract: A pest monitoring system may include a sensor and a sensor unit. The sensor may be configured to measure a change in fringe capacitance. The sensor unit may include a housing, at least one microprocessor, a non-volatile memory, a transceiver, a clock, and a connector operatively connected to the sensor. The housing may include a power source. The sensor unit may be programmed to manage power usage.

Abstract: A sensor unit may include a sensor, a housing, at least one microprocessor, a non-volatile memory, a transceiver, a clock, and a connector. The sensor may be configured to measure a change in fringe capacitance and may be tuned to at least one of detect and identify a given animal. The housing may include a power source. The connector may operatively connect the sensor to the housing. The at least one microprocessor may be programmed to continuously recalibrate a baseline capacitance.

Abstract: A system may include a trap and a consumable. The trap may include a data capture mechanism configured to capture data and send the data to a system operator. The consumable may include a device having an associated electronic identification code. A status-determining mechanism may be configured to determine a status of the consumable, which status may be readable via the data capture mechanism. The consumable may include a sensor configured to detect flying insects via mutual capacitance sensing. The sensor may be configured to provide a directional fringe field responsive to a flying insect. The sensor may include a plurality of sensor triplets arranged in a grid array. Each sensor triplet may include a sensor conductor and two electrically conductive un-grounded conductors. The two un-grounded conductors may be disposed one on either side of the sensor conductor to form the sensor triplet.

Abstract: A sensor unit may include a sensor, a housing, at least one microprocessor, a non-volatile memory, a transceiver, a clock, and a connector. The sensor may be configured to measure a change in fringe capacitance and may be tuned to at least one of detect and identify a given animal. The housing may include a power source. The connector may operatively connect the sensor to the housing. The at least one microprocessor may be programmed to continuously recalibrate a baseline capacitance.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting changes in fringe capacitance responsive to at least one of a target animal and a target pest by mutual capacitance sensing may include a plurality of conductors including an electrically conductive sensor conductor, which is a transmit electrode, and two electrically conductive un-grounded conductors, which are each a receive electrode, disposed on opposing sides of the sensor conductor defining a triplet. The plurality of conductors may be supported on an un-grounded conductive substrate which is electrically isolated, via an electrical insulator, from the plurality of conductors. Each conductor of the plurality of conductors may have a width and a thickness, and may be disposed spaced apart from the other conductors of the plurality of conductors and the un-grounded conductive substrate by a distance such that a directional fringe field responsive to the at least one of the target animal and the target pest is generatable.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting changes in fringe capacitance responsive to at least one of a target animal and a target pest by mutual capacitance sensing may include a plurality of conductors including an electrically conductive sensor conductor, which is a transmit electrode, and two electrically conductive un-grounded conductors, which are each a receive electrode, disposed on opposing sides of the sensor conductor defining a triplet. The plurality of conductors may be supported on an un-grounded conductive substrate which is electrically isolated, via an electrical insulator, from the plurality of conductors. Each conductor of the plurality of conductors may have a width and a thickness, and may be disposed spaced apart from the other conductors of the plurality of conductors and the un-grounded conductive substrate by a distance such that a directional fringe field responsive to the at least one of the target animal and the target pest is generatable.