Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to control modules for controlling the firing of automatic
traps such as clay pigeon traps.
Background
[0002] Clay pigeon traps or throwers are typically spring-operated traps for projecting
targets (typically "clay pigeons", "clays" or "skeets") into the field of fire of
sporting guns. Clay pigeon traps are conventionally required to operate in either
of two modes. In a first mode, targets are projected laterally across the line of
sight of the guns, to simulate the flight of birds such as pheasants. In the second
mode, the targets are projected along the ground, in the fashion of a bolting rabbit,
or vertically upwards in the manner of a springing teal.
[0003] In general, automatic clay pigeon traps include a throwing mechanism and a release
mechanism. The release mechanism can be activated or actuated. For example, clay pigeon
traps may consist of a frame or body on which is pivoted a swinging arm or blade for
projecting a target at a velocity approximating, for example, the speed of flight
of a game bird or the speed of a bolting rabbit. The blade is often spring-loaded
by means of a strong tension spring anchored at one end to the body and at the other
end to the blade. The blade is usually designed to be swung by the spring through
an arc. The blade is formed with a flange or fence on its upper surface against which
targets to be projected slide outwards from the pivot during the "throw" or projection
swing of the blade. The rigid frame or body can be secured to a larger stand or base
for firm support on the ground. In most cases, an operator will direct the activation
of one or more of the traps depending on the requirements of the users.
[0004] Whilst the described clay pigeon trap set ups work well for large shooting parties
or events where an operator is present close to the traps to both reload and fire
multiple traps as and when is required by the shooters, their use by individuals or
smaller parties who do not have a dedicated operator can be laborious. Even for larger
shoots the described systems are not ideal either for convenience or for safety reasons.
One option for individuals or smaller parties is to use a remote operating device
where a wire can be run from the trap to a user such that they can actuate the trap
from a distance by sending an electrical signal down the wire. However, this is usually
limited to the user actuating a single trap (although there are some systems where
multiple traps are hard wired together, so they can be actuated from a single user)
and there are challenges in setting the trap up, particularly when the terrain is
uneven or covered in scrub, bushes etc. as will often be the case for such activities
which are commonly carried out in a countryside environment.
[0005] Another option, as described in
US 4302749 is to use voice activated commands, however this runs the risk of unwanted or incorrect
firing of the trap and is generally only used for specific shooting disciplines such
as DTL. Similar incorrect firing issues are also found with RF wave transmissions
which can pick up other RF signals and interference.
[0006] There have also been some recent attempts to use Bluetoothâ„¢ to trigger traps via
a triggering unit. However, this has limitations due to the inclusion of Bluetoothâ„¢
in that the triggering unit must be very close to the user and limits the system to
a single user at a time. Such attempts also require significant processing on the
user device with no processing occurring at the triggering unit such that preferred
timings, multiple shot commands cannot easily be accessed by other users.
[0007] Although the present document refers to clay pigeon traps, it will be understood
that the term "trap" or "traps" can refer to physical moving target projection devices
in general or, more preferably moving target projection devices for shooting.
[0008] The present invention aims to obviate or mitigate limitations associated with the
prior art.
Summary of the Invention
[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a control module
for controlling one or more traps. The control module comprises a processor and transceiver
unit adapted to generate a wireless local area network in accordance with a wireless
communication standard enabling user devices to communicate control data to the control
module in accordance with the wireless communication standard. Responsive to receipt
of control data, the processor is adapted to generate relay control signals for selectively
energising one or more relays to generate a trap trigger signal which when received
by a trap causes the trap to fire.
[0010] Optionally, the control data indicates a specific trap and the processor is adapted
to generate a relay control signal for selectively energising a relay associated with
the trap indicated by the control data.
[0011] Optionally, the one or more relays are housed within the control module.
[0012] Optionally, each relay is connectable to a trap via a trap control line.
[0013] Optionally, the processor and transceiver are adapted to communicate data to and
from one or more slave control modules via the wireless local area network and the
processor and transceiver are operable to determine if the control data relates to
a trap connected to a slave control module, and if so generate and transmit a trap
fire command via the wireless local area network to that slave module which when received
by the slave control module causes the slave control module to generate a relay control
signal for selectively energising a relay associated with the trap indicated by the
control data.
[0014] Optionally, the processor is adapted to run software providing a web server and host
thereon a website accessible to user devices, wherein the user devices can communicate
control data to the processor via the webserver.
[0015] Optionally, the website is displayable on web-browser software running on user devices
to provide a control interface and control data can be input by a user via the control
interface.
[0016] Optionally, the website requires a user to enter a predetermined authorisation code
to gain access to the web-browser.
[0017] Optionally, the processor is arranged to generate relay control signals and to transmit
trap fire commands to slave control modules responsive to control data from a single
user device at any one time.
[0018] Optionally, the wireless communication standard is an 802.11 standard.
[0019] Optionally, the control module is adapted to receive a power input from a trap.
[0020] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a slave control
module for controlling one or more traps. The slave control module comprises a processor
and transceiver unit adapted to receive, via a wireless local area network established
in accordance with a wireless communication standard, a trap fire command transmitted
from a master control module. Responsive to receipt of said trap fire command, said
processor is adapted to generate relay control signals for energising one or more
relays to generate a trap trigger signal which when received by a trap causes the
trap to fire.
[0021] Optionally, the trap fire command indicates a specific trap and the processor is
adapted to generate a relay control signal for selectively energising a relay associated
with the trap indicated by the trap fire command.
[0022] Optionally, the one or more relays are housed within the control module.
[0023] Optionally, each relay is connectable to a trap via a trap control line.
[0024] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of
operating a control module for controlling one or more traps. The method comprises
generating a wireless local area network in accordance with a wireless communication
standard enabling user devices to communicate control data to the control module in
accordance with the wireless communication standard, receiving control data from a
user device, and responsive to receipt of the control data, generating relay control
signals for energising one or more relays to generate a trap trigger signal which
when received by a trap causes the trap to fire.
[0025] Optionally, the method further comprises determining if the control data relates
to a trap connected to a slave control module, and if so generating and transmitting
a trap fire command via the wireless local area network to that slave module which
when received by the slave control module causes the slave control module to generate
a relay control signal for selectively energising a relay associated with the trap
indicated by the control data.
[0026] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of
operating a slave control module for controlling one or more traps. The method comprises
receiving, via a wireless local area network established in accordance with a wireless
communication standard, a trap fire command transmitted from a master control module,
responsive to receipt of said trap fire command, and generating relay control signals
for energising one or more relays to generate a trap trigger signal which when received
by a trap causes the trap to fire.
[0027] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer
program comprising computer readable instructions which when executed by a processor,
causes the processor to perform a method according to the third aspect or the fourth
aspect.
[0028] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a trap control
system comprising a control module according to the first aspect and one or more slave
control modules according to the second aspects and a plurality of traps, at least
one of the plurality of traps connected to the control module and another trap of
the plurality of the traps connected to the one or more slave control module.
[0029] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a control module
for controlling the firing of one or more traps. Advantageously, the control module
establishes a wireless local area network (for example an 802.11 based wireless local
area network) on which is received control data for controlling the firing of traps
connected to the control module. Conventional user devices, such as smartphones and
tablets equipped with suitable transceivers (e.g. "Wi-Fi enabled" devices) can readily
identify and communicate control data for controlling the firing of traps on such
a network. Further, advantageously, and in contrast to certain prior art techniques
relying on peer-to-peer communication provided, for example by Bluetooth, by virtue
of the control module providing a wireless local area, multiple user devices can communicate
data with the control module.
[0030] Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the control module is adapted to implement
a web server and host a website accessible by user devices. The website, displayable
on conventional user device browser software provides a convenient means for providing
a control interface for communicating control data conventional user devices to the
control module.
[0031] Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the control module, acting as a master control
module, is adapted communicate trap fire commands to one or more slave control modules
via the wireless local area network. This extends the number of traps that can be
controlled beyond those physically connected to the master control module.
[0032] Various further features and aspects of the invention are defined in the claims.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only
with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like parts are provided with corresponding
reference numerals and in which:
Figure 1 provides a schematic diagram of a trap control module in accordance with
certain embodiments of the invention;
Figure 2 provides a schematic diagram depicting a trap control module, corresponding
to the trap control module shown in Figure 1, in use in a system comprising several
traps connected to the trap control module;
Figure 3 provides a schematic diagram showing a user interface of a user device which
is within range of a wireless LAN established by a trap control module according to
certain embodiments of the invention;
Figure 4 provides a schematic diagram depicting the user interface of the user device
displaying a web browser on which is shown a trap control web page hosted by the webserver
implemented on the controller unit in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;
Figure 5 provides a schematic diagram of a system comprising a master trap control
module and a first and second slave trap control module in accordance with certain
embodiments of the invention, and
Figure 6 provides a schematic diagram illustrating a user interface on a user device
showing a web-browser displaying a web page provided by a web server hosted on a master
trap control module connected to two slave trap control modules as depicted in Figure
5.
Detailed Description
[0034] Figure 1 provides a schematic diagram of a trap control module 101 in accordance
with certain embodiments of the invention.
[0035] The control module 101 includes a controller unit 102 comprising a processor unit
103 connected to a radio transceiver unit 104 and a memory unit 105. The memory unit
has stored thereon software which the processor is arranged to retrieve and run. The
processor unit 103 of the controller unit 102 is further connected to a relay controller
106 which is connected to a number of trap relays 107, 108, 109 which each provide
a trap control line (Trap control line 1, Trap control line 2, Trap control line 3).
[0036] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the control module 101 includes three trap relays.
However, in other embodiments, other numbers of trap relays can be provided, for example
four, five or six.
[0037] Typically, the controller unit 102 is provided by a suitably programmed single-board
computer equipped with wireless transceiver hardware such as a Nano Pi NEO Air. However,
it will be appreciated that any suitable hardware can be used including "custom" hardware,
for example one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).
[0038] Using techniques known in the art, the controller unit 102 is adapted to establish
a wireless local area network (WLAN) in accordance with a wireless networking standard,
typically the 802.11 standard. Further, the controller unit 102 is adapted to act
as an access point for the network. In this way data can be communicated to and from
remote devices, e.g. tablets and smartphones equipped with 802.11 (e.g. Wi-Fi) compatible
hardware and software.
[0039] Furthermore, the software run by the processor unit 103 enables the controller unit
102 to implement a webserver which is accessible to remote devices via the wireless
LAN. The memory 105 has stored thereon webpage data enabling the webserver to host
one or more web pages (a website) via which the relay controller 106 can be controlled.
Specifically, the relay controller 106 can be controlled by the processor unit 103
to energise individual trap relays and to thereby generate a trap trigger signal on
the corresponding trap control line.
[0040] Typically, the relay controller is an electronic component (e.g. an IC) adapted to
receive relay control signals from the processor unit which identifies a specific
relay (for example by outputting one of a number of predetermined sequence of bits,
where each sequence of bits identifies a specific relay), and then generates a suitable
energising input (e.g. an energising current or voltage) to the relay identified by
the relay control signal.
[0041] The control system 101 is typically housed in a discrete housing with a trap control
line port providing control line jacks, allowing trap control lines to be plugged
into the control module 101.
[0042] In certain embodiments, each trap relay comprises two electrical relays, where a
first relay is connected to the relay controller, a second relay is connected to the
first relay. In use, the first relay is triggered by the relay controller and the
second relay is triggered by the first relay. This arrangement reduces the likelihood
of "false firing" where a trap trigger signal is generated unintentionally, for example
when the control module is powered on. The electrical relays can be provided by any
suitable means, for example suitable electromechanical relays or solid state relays.
[0043] Figure 2 provides a schematic diagram depicting a trap control module 202, corresponding
to the trap control module 101 shown in Figure 1, in use in a system 201 comprising
several traps connected to the trap control module.
[0044] The trap control module 202 is connected to a number of traps 203, 204, 205, (for
example electrically actuated clay pigeon traps) via corresponding trap control lines
206, 207, 208. As described above, the controller unit of the trap control module
provides a wireless LAN enabling user devices 209, 210 (for example 802.11 compatible
tablets or smartphones) to communicate data to and from the trap control module 202.
More specifically, the user devices can access a website hosted on the webserver implemented
by the controller unit of the trap control module and thereby communicate trap control
information (data) to the trap control module 202. Responsive to receipt of this control
information, the processor unit of the trap control module is arranged to generate
corresponding relay control signals which are input to the relay controller. In accordance
with the relay control signals, the relay controller then selectively energises the
relays triggering the firing of the traps 203, 204, 205.
[0045] Figure 3 provides a schematic diagram showing a user interface 301 (e.g. touchscreen
display) of a user device (e.g. a smartphone) which is within range of a wireless
LAN established by a trap control module as described with reference to Figures 1
and 2. The user interface 301 is shown displaying a screen which enables a user to
select a wireless network with which to connect. The trap control module, acting as
an access point for the wireless LAN, broadcasts a network identifier which is received
by the user device. In accordance with conventional operation, the user device extracts
network name text information from the network identifier and displays a network name
302. The user can then select the network name 302 (e.g. by touch input to a corresponding
area of the touchscreen display) and responsive to this, the user device and the trap
control module, acting as an access point, establish a wireless connection.
[0046] Once the wireless connection is established, data can be communicated to and from
the user device in the same way that data can be communicated to and from the user
device when connected to a conventional wireless access point providing onward access
to a network.
[0047] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, once a wireless connection is established
in this way, control information can be communicated from the user device to the trap
control module using a web interface.
[0048] More specifically, conventional browser software can be opened on the user device
and used to generate an HTTP request (for example, by entering any web address or
a predetermined IP address). On receipt of this request, the controller unit is adapted
to return web data hosted on the webserver.
[0049] Figure 4 provides a schematic diagram depicting the user interface 301 of the user
device displaying a web browser 401 on which is shown a trap control web page 402
hosted by the webserver implemented on the controller unit.
[0050] The trap control web page 402 includes a number of graphical elements 403, 404, 405
each of which can be selected (for example by touch input to a corresponding area
of the user device touchscreen display). Each graphical element 403, 404, 405 corresponds
to a trap that can be fired. For example, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, on selection
of a first of the graphical elements 403, the web page 402 is such that the web browsing
software communicates a first trap fire message to the web server. On receipt of this
message, the software running on the processor unit 103 is adapted to control the
processor unit 103 to send a relay control signal to the relay controller 106 which
causes the first relay 107 to energise which generates a trap trigger signal on the
first trap control line 206. This signal is received by the first trap 203 which then
fires.
[0051] Similarly, on selection of a second of the graphical elements 404, a second trap
fire message is sent to the web server. On receipt of this message, the processor
unit 103 sends a relay control signal to the relay controller 106 which causes the
second relay 108 to energise which generates a trap trigger signal on the second trap
control line 207. This signal is received by the first trap 203 which then fires.
[0052] In certain embodiments, the number of traps that can be controlled can be increased
by using further trap control modules. In such embodiments, one trap control module
can be designated a master trap control module, and the other trap control modules
are designated slave control modules.
[0053] Figure 5 provides a schematic diagram of a system comprising a master trap control
module 501 and a first slave trap control module 502 and a second slave trap control
module 503.
[0054] The master trap control module 501 is connected via trap control lines to a first
set of three traps 504, 505, 506, the first slave trap control module 502 is connected
via trap control lines to a second set of three traps 507, 508, 509 and the second
slave trap control module 503 is connected via trap control lines to a third set of
three traps 510, 511, 512.
[0055] The master trap control module 501 operates in the same way as the trap control module
described above. However, the trap control web page hosted on the controller unit
of the master trap control module 501, as well as enabling control of the first set
of three traps 504, 505, 506, also enables trap fire messages to be generated and
sent to the web server relating to the second set of three traps 507, 508, 509 connected
to the first slave trap control module 502, and the third set of three traps 510,
511, 512 connected to the second slave trap control module 503.
[0056] The master trap control module 501 and each of the slave trap control modules 502,
503 have controller units which are adapted to communicate data to and from each other.
In other words, data can be communicated between the master trap control module 501
and the first slave trap control module 502 and data can be communicated between the
master trap control module 501 and a second slave trap control module 503. Typically,
this is achieved by each slave module connecting to the wireless LAN provided by the
master trap control module 501 in the same way that user devices connect to the master
trap control module as described above (i.e. with the master control module acting
as an access point to the network). Typically, each slave trap control module will
be pre-programmed with the network identifier of the master trap control module and
on power up will be arranged to establish a wireless connection with the master trap
control module automatically.
[0057] In use, there is provided a master trap with a master trap control module and optionally
one or more slave traps with slave trap control modules. In certain embodiments, the
master or slave designation of a trap control module is set during manufacture. In
other embodiments, each trap control module could be configured to act either as a
slave trap control module or a master trap control module by a user selecting the
configuration. This could be via a physical switch or via a suitable software control
provided on the trap control web page.
[0058] When the master trap control module 501 receives, via the web browser running on
the user device, a trap fire message relating to a trap to which one of the slave
trap control modules is connected, the software running on the processor unit of the
master trap control module is arranged to determine, for example using a pre-programmed
look up table, to which of the slave trap control modules the trap in question is
connected. The software then controls the processor to control the transceiver unit
of the master trap control module to communicate a corresponding trap fire command
to the relevant slave trap control module using the wireless connection established
between them.
[0059] On receipt of this trap fire command, software running on the processor unit of the
slave trap control module in question is arranged to determine to which trap the trap
fire command relates, and control the processor unit to generate and send a relay
control signal to the relay controller of the slave trap control module which causes
the relay controller to energise the relay relating to the trap in question. A trap
trigger signal on the relevant trap control line is thereby generated which causes
the trap in question to fire.
[0060] In this way, the wireless LAN established by the master trap control module can be
used both to receive trap control information from a user using a conventional user
device, but can also be used to control any number of slave master trap control modules.
[0061] Figure 6 provides a schematic diagram illustrating a user interface 601 on a user
device showing a web-browser displaying a web page provided by a web server hosted
on a master trap control module connected to two slave trap control modules as depicted
in Figure 5.
[0062] In certain embodiments the web page hosted by the web server may include additional
functionality. For example, there may be score card functionality allowing, for example,
name data associated with different shooters to be entered and displayed and score
data relating to each shooter to be entered and displayed adjacent the corresponding
name data. In certain embodiments, the web page may include a trap firing control
page (as shown for example in figures 4 and 6) and a separate score card page. The
user of the user device can switch between these pages allowing the score data to
be updated after a given trap has fired. In certain embodiments, a combined view web
page is provided that allows the traps to be fired and scores recorded from the same
browser page.
[0063] In certain embodiments the web page may include authentication functionality requiring
a predetermined password to be entered before a user can access the functionality
provided by the web page.
[0064] In certain embodiments, the web page may include functionality to define different
firing modes specifying different variables relating to the firing of the traps. For
example, a first firing mode could control a trap to fire a single clay, a second
firing mode could control a trap to fire two clays in sequence and a third firing
mode could control a trap to fire three clays in sequence. Further variables could
control the time delay between firing clays. Other variables could allow a sequence
of trap firing. For example, fire two clays from the first trap separated by five
seconds, followed by three clays from the fourth trap separated by three seconds and
so on. Other firing modes may relate to random firing of one or more traps. In such
embodiments, control information relating to such differing firing modes can be entered
by a user via the trap control web page, processed by the software running on the
processor unit to generate corresponding relay control signals (or trap fire messages
for slave trap control modules, which in turn generate corresponding relay control
signals at the slave trap control module) for firing the traps in accordance with
the user defined firing mode.
[0065] In certain embodiments, functionality is implemented that ensures that only a single
user can control the firing of traps at any one time. For example, one user is designated
a "trap master" and the software running on the processor will only respond to trap
control information (e.g. trap fire instructions) from that user. This can be achieved
in any suitable way. In certain embodiments, this is achieved by identifying users
via session cookies that are generated when a user logs in to the web page. For example,
in certain embodiments, as each trap master has a login pin number, once a user logs
in a session cookie is generated. This uses the standard http session protocols for
identification of the logged in user and therefore only allows the trap master to
generate fire commands for traps associated with that user.
[0066] In certain embodiments, trap control modules in accordance with embodiments of the
invention are provided with power supply units adapted to receive power from a power
output from a trap.
[0067] As described above, operation of a trap control module in accordance with embodiments
of the invention is controlled principally by software stored within memory and executed
by a processor. In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, there is
provided computer software which can be stored on a memory unit and executed by a
processor of a trap control module as described above. In accordance with certain
embodiments, the computer software comprises instructions which when implemented on
the processor, cause the processor to control a trap control module as a master trap
control module as described above. In certain embodiments, the computer software comprises
instructions which when implemented on the processor, cause the processor to control
the trap control module as a slave trap control module as described above. The software
can be written, compiled and stored using techniques known in the art.
[0068] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,
abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent
or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated
otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent
or similar features.
[0069] It will be appreciated that features from one embodiment may be appropriately incorporated
into another embodiment unless technically unfeasible to do so.
[0070] It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been
described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may
be made. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to
be limiting, with the scope being indicated by the following claims.
1. A control module for controlling one or more traps, said control module comprising
a processor and transceiver unit adapted to generate a wireless local area network
in accordance with a wireless communication standard enabling user devices to communicate
control data to the control module in accordance with the wireless communication standard,
wherein responsive to receipt of control data, said processor is adapted to generate
relay control signals for selectively energising one or more relays to generate a
trap trigger signal which when received by a trap causes the trap to fire.
2. A control module for according to claim 1, wherein the control data indicates a specific
trap and the processor is adapted to generate a relay control signal for selectively
energising a relay associated with the trap indicated by the control data.
3. A control module according to any previous claim, wherein the processor is adapted
to run software providing a web server and host thereon a website accessible to user
devices, wherein the user devices can communicate control data to the processor via
the webserver.
4. A control module according to claim 3, wherein the website is displayable on web-browser
software running on user devices to provide a control interface and control data can
be input by a user via the control interface.
5. A control module according to any previous claim, adapted to receive a power input
from a trap.
6. A slave control module for controlling one or more traps, said slave control module
comprising a processor and transceiver unit adapted to receive, via a wireless local
area network established in accordance with a wireless communication standard, a trap
fire command transmitted from a master control module, wherein, responsive to receipt
of said trap fire command, said processor is adapted to generate relay control signals
for energising one or more relays to generate a trap trigger signal which when received
by a trap causes the trap to fire.
7. A slave control module according to claim 6, wherein the trap fire command indicates
a specific trap and the processor is adapted to generate a relay control signal for
selectively energising a relay associated with the trap indicated by the trap fire
command.
8. A control module according to claim 1 or 2 or a slave control module according to
claim 7, wherein the one or more relays are housed within the control module.
9. A control module or a slave control module according to claim 8, wherein each relay
is connectable to a trap via a trap control line.
10. A control module according to claim 8 or 9, when dependant on claims 1 or 2, wherein
the processor and transceiver are adapted to communicate data to and from one or more
slave control modules via the wireless local area network and the processor and transceiver
are operable to determine if the control data relates to a trap connected to a slave
control module, and if so generate and transmit a trap fire command via the wireless
local area network to that slave module which when received by the slave control module
causes the slave control module to generate a relay control signal for selectively
energising a relay associated with the trap indicated by the control data.
11. A method of operating a control module for controlling one or more traps, said method
comprising:
generating a wireless local area network in accordance with a wireless communication
standard enabling user devices to communicate control data to the control module in
accordance with the wireless communication standard,
receiving control data from a user device
responsive to receipt of the control data, generating relay control signals for energising
one or more relays to generate a trap trigger signal which when received by a trap
causes the trap to fire.
12. A method of operating a control module according to claim 11, further comprising:
determining if the control data relates to a trap connected to a slave control module,
and if so
generating and transmitting a trap fire command via the wireless local area network
to that slave module which when received by the slave control module causes the slave
control module to generate a relay control signal for selectively energising a relay
associated with the trap indicated by the control data.
13. A method of operating a slave control module for controlling one or more traps, said
method comprising:
receiving, via a wireless local area network established in accordance with a wireless
communication standard, a trap fire command transmitted from a master control module,
responsive to receipt of said trap fire command,
generating relay control signals for energising one or more relays to generate a trap
trigger signal which when received by a trap causes the trap to fire.
14. A computer program comprising computer readable instructions which when executed by
a processor, causes the processor to perform a method according to claim 11 or 12,
or claim 13.
15. A trap control system comprising a control module according to claim 5 and one or
more slave control modules according to claim 6 and a plurality of traps, at least
one of the plurality of traps connected to the control module and another trap of
the plurality of the traps connected to the one or more slave control module.