Hinge sensor for barrier

• US 10,352,734 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2015
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ricks, Sean, Warren, Jeremy B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Syed, Nabil H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eustaquio, Cal J
• Application Number:
  US14/693,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20160084678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/00 Additional features or accessories of hinges edge protecting devices E06B3/88
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 7/00 Accessories for wings not provided for in other groups of this subclass specially adapted for furniture A47B95/00; door-lifters B66F, E04F21/00; knobs or handles E05B
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/322 by using absolute position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/354 End positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for determining operation of an openable barrier and direction of movement of a person through an opening controlled by the barrier. A method includes detecting with a hinge sensor a closed position for the barrier, the hinge sensor being mounted to a hinge of the barrier, determining with the hinge sensor when the barrier changes position from the closed position to an open position, detecting with at least one motion sensor motion of an object in proximity to the opening, and determining a direction of movement of the object through the opening based on whether the motion is detected before or after detecting the change in position of the barrier.

Claims

1. A method for determining direction of passage through an opening controlled by a barrier, comprising:

detecting with a hinge sensor a closed position for the barrier, the hinge sensor being mounted to a hinge of the barrier, the hinge sensor having a physical fixed portion and a physical rotatable portion;

determining a position of the physical fixed portion relative to the hinge;

determining a position of the physical rotatable portion relative to the physical fixed portion using a measured value of the hinge sensor, the measured value of the hinge sensor comprising a change in angular position and a distance of separation between the physical rotatable portion and the physical fixed portion;

detecting with the hinge sensor the barrier changing from the closed position to an open position using the determined position of the physical fixed portion relative to the hinge and the determined position of the physical rotatable portion relative to the physical fixed portion;

detecting, via a motion sensor, a movement of an object through the opening based at least in part on the barrier changing from the closed position to the open position, wherein the hinge sensor comprises the motion sensor; and

determining a direction of the movement of the object through the opening based at least in part on a change in angular position and a distance of separation between the physical fixed portion and the physical rotatable portion, the movement occurring before and after the change in position of the barrier.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting data concerning the direction of the movement of the object through the opening.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

fixing a position of the physical fixed portion relative to the hinge; and

rotatably mounting the physical rotatable portion to the physical fixed portion, the physical rotatable portion being arranged in contact with and movable by the barrier.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is mounted to the barrier.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is mounted to a wall or door frame adjacent to the opening.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor comprises a first portion positioned on an exit side of the opening, and a second portion positioned on an entry side of the opening.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining with the hinge sensor movement of the barrier between one open position and another open position.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining with the hinge sensor a direction of movement of the barrier from the closed position toward the open position, or from the open position toward the closed position.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the direction of the movement of the object through the opening comprises:

determining that the object passes through the opening in a first direction when motion is detected prior to detecting movement of the barrier; and

determining that the object passes through the opening in a second direction when motion is detected after detecting movement of the barrier.

10. A sensor assembly for use with a barrier, comprising:

a hinge sensor mounted to a hinge of the barrier and operable to determine movement of the barrier, the hinge sensor having a physical fixed portion and a physical rotatable portion;

the hinge sensor being operable to;

determine a position of the physical fixed portion relative to the hinge;

determine a position of the physical rotatable portion relative to the physical fixed portion using a measured value of the hinge sensor, the measured value of the hinge sensor comprising a change in angular position and a distance of separation between the physical rotatable portion and the physical fixed portion; and

detect the barrier changing from a closed position to an open position using the determined position of the physical fixed portion relative to the hinge and the determined position of the physical rotatable portion relative to the physical fixed portion;

the hinge sensor comprising at least one motion sensor operable to;

detect movement of an object through an opening of the barrier; and

determine a direction of the movement of the object through the opening based at least in part on a distance of separation between the physical fixed portion and the physical rotatable portion, the movement occurring before and after the change in position of the barrier.

11. The sensor assembly of claim 10, wherein the hinge sensor is mounted to a hinge pin of the hinge.

12. The sensor assembly of claim 10, wherein the hinge sensor includes a first portion that maintains a fixed position relative to the barrier, and a second portion that moves relative to the barrier, and the hinge sensor determines movement of the barrier based on at least one of a relative position between the first and second portions and a change in position of the second portion.

13. The sensor assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a wireless transmitter configured to transmit data concerning the determined direction of the movement of the object through the opening.

14. The sensor assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one motion sensor is mounted to the hinge.

15. The sensor assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one motion sensor includes a plurality of motion sensors configured to be arranged at different locations relative to the opening.

16. A direction of movement detecting assembly, comprising:

a hinge sensor mounted to a hinge of a barrier operable to detect movement of the barrier, the hinge sensor having a physical fixed portion and a physical rotatable portion;

the hinge sensor being operable to;

determine a position of the physical fixed portion relative to the hinge;

determine a position of the physical rotatable portion relative to the physical fixed portion using a measured value of the hinge sensor, the measured value of the hinge sensor comprising a change in angular position and a distance of separation between the physical rotatable portion and the physical fixed portion; and

detect the barrier changing from a closed position to an open position using the determined position of the physical fixed portion relative to the hinge and the determined position of the physicall rotatable portion relative to the physical fixed portion;

the hinge sensor comprising at least one motion sensor operable to;

detect movement of an object through an opening of the barrier based at least in part on the changing from the closed position to the open position; and

a controller operable to;

determine a direction of the movement of the object through the opening based at least in part on a distance of separation between the physical fixed portion and the physical rotatable portion, the movement occurring before and after the change in position of the barrier.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the controller is located remotely from the hinge sensor and the at least one motion sensor, the assembly further comprising:

a transceiver operable to wirelessly transmit the barrier movement data and the motion data to the controller.

18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the hinge sensor includes a fixed portion and a moveable portion, and movement of the moveable portion relative to the fixed portion indicates movement of the barrier relative to the opening.

19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the at least one motion sensor comprises a passive infrared sensor.