Non-intrusive sensor and method
First Claim
1. A sensor assembly comprising:
- at least one sensor adapted to generate first data; and
at least one processing entity in data communication with said sensor and adapted to process said first data to produce second data, said second data having at least one desired effect associated therewith.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor assembly adapted for remotely monitoring spaces such as residences or businesses, with enhanced privacy. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensor assembly is configured to look like a convention passive infrared device (PIR), and includes a CMOS camera and associated data processing. The data processing selectively alters the image data obtained by the camera so as to allow a remote operator to view only certain features of the data, thereby maintaining privacy while still allowing for visual monitoring (such as during alarm conditions to verify “false alarm” status). Alternate system configurations with local and/or remote data processing and hardwired or wireless interfaces are also disclosed.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A sensor assembly comprising:
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at least one sensor adapted to generate first data; and
at least one processing entity in data communication with said sensor and adapted to process said first data to produce second data, said second data having at least one desired effect associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Covert security sensor apparatus, comprising:
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at least one camera adapted to generate video signals relating to at least one monitored location;
wherein said apparatus is configured to look like another type of sensor such that the presence of said at least one camera is not readily discernable by inhabitants of said location. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A security sensor, comprising:
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at least one camera adapted to generate video data relating to at least one monitored location;
at least one processing entity in data communication with said camera and adapted to process said video data to produce processed video data for viewing at a remote location; and
at least one distribution entity adapted to distribute said processed data to said remote location;
wherein said processed data allows viewing of only certain features of said monitored location or its inhabitants.
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21. Low-cost, replaceable sensor apparatus comprising:
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a low cost B/W camera element;
a signal interface operatively coupled to said camera element and adapted for quick connect/disconnect coupling to a complementary external signal interface;
a molded housing element substantially containing said camera element; and
a molded base element removably coupled to said housing element;
wherein said camera element, signal interface, and housing element cooperate to make said sensor apparatus substantially disposable from a cost perspective. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A quick-change, low-cost sensor assembly adapted to permit removal of a sensor and replacement with another identical or different sensor, comprising:
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a sensor element having;
(i) A low-cost molded sensor housing;
(ii) at least one low-cost sensor disposed at least partly within said housing; and
(iii) at least one first electrical interface adapted to transmit electrical power and information signals to and from said at least one sensor; and
a support element adapted to support and removably mate with said sensor element, said support element comprising at least one second electrical interface adapted to transmit electrical power and information signals to and from said at least one first interface;
wherein said at least one first and second electrical interfaces are adapted for rapid separation from each other incident with said removal of said sensor element from said support element.
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24. A quick-change, covert sensor assembly, comprising:
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a sensor element having;
(i) at least one optical sensor; and
(ii) at least one first electrical interface adapted to transmit electrical power and information signals to and from said at least one sensor; and
a support element adapted to support and removably mate with said sensor element, said support element comprising at least one second electrical interface adapted to transmit electrical power and information signals to and from said at least one first interface;
wherein said at least one first and second electrical interfaces are adapted for rapid separation from each other incident with said removal of said sensor element from said support element; and
wherein said sensor assembly is adapted to appear as a non-visual sensor in order to deceive individuals for which optical monitoring is desired.
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25. A method of manufacturing a low-cost sensor assembly, comprising:
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providing at least one low cost sensor;
molding a housing member adapted to accommodate at least a portion of said at least one sensor;
disposing said at least one sensor at least partly within said housing member;
providing a quick-disconnect base element adapted for mating with said housing member, said base element facilitating rapid disconnection and replacement of said housing member; and
mating said housing member with said base element.
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26. A method of operating a disposable sensor assembly, comprising:
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providing a low cost sensor element having a low-cost housing member adapted to accommodate at least a portion of said at least one sensor;
providing a quick-disconnect base element being mated with said housing member, said base element facilitating rapid disconnection and replacement of said sensor element, including electrical signals exchanged there between;
operating said sensor element for a period of time;
disconnecting said sensor element from said base element;
and replacing said sensor element with another.
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27. High privacy sensor apparatus, comprising:
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at least one sensor adapted to generate first data; and
at least one processing entity in data communication with said sensor and adapted to process said first data to produce second data, said second data intentionally altering said first data sufficiently that video derived therefrom is sufficiently reduced in resolution or content such that details of individuals being monitored by said apparatus are not discernable. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A method of operating security monitoring apparatus disposed at a first location, the method comprising:
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providing at least one sensor having signal processing apparatus;
processing first data collected by said at least one sensor using said apparatus to produce second data, said second data having at least one attribute associated therewith;
monitoring said first location using said second data; and
selectively, and responsive to a first indication, monitoring said first location using said first data. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A remote security monitoring system, comprising:
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sensors disposed at one or more locations to be monitored;
at least one processing entity in operative communication with said sensors and adapted to process raw data from the sensors to produce processed data, said processed data having at least one desired attribute not present in said raw data;
at least one remote monitoring entity adapted to utilize the processed data; and
a network interface adapted to transfer said processed data from said processing entity to said remote entity. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification