Dual technology occupancy sensor and method for using the same
First Claim
1. A sensor, adapted to control a lighting circuit, comprising:
- an infrared energy sensor, adapted to output an infrared energy detection signal indicative of detection or non-detection of infrared energy;
a microwave energy sensor, adapted to output a microwave energy detection signal indicative of detection or non-detection of microwave energy; and
a controller, adapted to output a control signal to control activation and deactivation of said lighting circuit in response to a condition of said infrared energy detection signal and a condition of said microwave energy detection signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual technology motion or occupancy sensor, and a method for using the same, to control a lighting circuit to activate and deactivate lights in a monitored area. The sensor employs an infrared energy sensor, a microwave energy sensor, and a controller. The infrared energy sensor outputs an infrared energy detection signal indicative of detection or non-detection of infrared energy, and the microwave energy sensor outputs a microwave energy detection signal indicative of detection or non-detection of microwave energy. The controller outputs a control signal to control activation and deactivation of the lighting circuit in response to a condition of the infrared energy detection signal and a condition of the microwave energy detection signal. Specifically, the controller activates the lighting circuit to turn on the lights in the monitored area when the infrared energy detection signal and microwave energy detection signal indicate occupancy or motion in the monitored area, and maintains the lights in the active state as long as either the microwave energy sensor or the infrared energy sensor sense occupancy or motion in the monitored area.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor, adapted to control a lighting circuit, comprising:
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an infrared energy sensor, adapted to output an infrared energy detection signal indicative of detection or non-detection of infrared energy;
a microwave energy sensor, adapted to output a microwave energy detection signal indicative of detection or non-detection of microwave energy; and
a controller, adapted to output a control signal to control activation and deactivation of said lighting circuit in response to a condition of said infrared energy detection signal and a condition of said microwave energy detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling a lighting circuit, comprising:
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detecting for infrared energy in a monitored area and providing an infrared energy detection signal indicative of detection or non-detection of said infrared energy;
detecting for microwave energy in said monitored area and providing a microwave energy detection signal indicative of detection or non-detection of said microwave energy; and
controlling activation and deactivation of said lighting circuit in response to a condition of said infrared energy detection signal and a condition of said microwave energy detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification