Motion detectors and occupancy sensors with improved sensitivity, angular resolution and range

• US 20050045826A1
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electro-Optic Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Electro-Optic Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Barone, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,053,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/353
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/193 using focusing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 250/01 Passive intrusion detectors

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improving the sensitivity, angular resolution and range of motion detectors, occupancy sensors and similar systems. Specifically, an improved infrared input section is described which employs at least one additional lens, possibly segmented, before a lens array. This pre-focusing lens collects incident infrared radiation over the entire entrance aperture and partially focuses it onto one element of the lens array. The final lens array which focuses the radiation onto a detector may be an array of Fresnel lenses as in the prior art, an array of microlenses or a diffractive optics array. It is also possible to implement this system is such a way that moving infrared sources at any angular orientation will be detected as opposed to prior art systems in which only sources which cross the planes separating an array of angular sectors are detected.

Claims

1-30. -30. (canceled)

31. In an electrical switch having structure movable between an on position and an on off position, the electrical switch having a portion exposed to ambient radiation upon installation, the improvement comprising:

an entrance aperture on the electrical switch, the entrance aperture configured to admit a portion of the ambient radiation to a detector for sensing changes in ambient radiation.

32. An electrical switch as in claim 31 wherein the entrance aperture is located on the movable structure.

33. An electrical switch as in claim 31 further comprising a radiation-transparent cover element over at least a portion of the entrance aperture.

34. An electrical switch as in claim 33 wherein the cover element comprises a lens array of one or more elements.

35. An electrical switch as in claim 33 wherein the entrance aperture is located on the movable structure.