PASSIVE INFRA-RED DETECTORS

• US 20070029486A1
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Visonic Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Zhevelev, Boris, Kotlicki, Yaacov, Lahat, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,319,228 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/339.20
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/026 Control of working procedures of a pyrometer, other than calibration; Bandwidth calculation; Gain control
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/07 Arrangements for adjusting the solid angle of collected radiation, e.g. adjusting or orienting field of view, tracking position or encoding angular position optical collimating elements G01J5/0806
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0802 Optical filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0806 Focusing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or concave mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0846 having multiple detectors for performing different types of detection, e.g. using radiometry and reflectometry channels
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/193 using focusing means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/18 Prevention or correction of operating errors G08B29/02, G08B29/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 250/01 Passive intrusion detectors

Abstract

A passive infra-red detector including at least three sub-detectors, each sub-detector being operative to receive infra-red radiation from a corresponding one of at least three sub fields-of-view, each sub field-of-view being exclusively defined by an optical element which does not define any other sub field of view, the sub fields-of-view being angled with respect to each other, adjacent ones of the sub fields-of-view being separated by a gap of no more than 30 degrees and at least one of the sub fields-of-view having at least one of the following characteristics: extending over no more then 45 degrees in azimuth; and including not more than three azimuthally distributed detection zones, and signal processing circuitry, operative to receive output signals from the sub detectors and to provide a motion detection output.

Claims

1-38. -38. (canceled)

39. A passive infra-red detector comprising:

at least three sub-detectors, each of said at least three sub-detectors being operative to receive infra-red radiation from a corresponding one of at least three sub fields-of-view, each of said at least three sub fields-of-view being exclusively defined by an optical element which does not define any other of said at least three sub fields of view, said at least three sub fields-of-view being angled with respect to each other; and

reduced false alarm signal processing circuitry, receiving output signals from said at least three sub-detectors and providing a motion detection output and being operative to eliminate at least some false alarms at least based on sensed time relationships between said output signals.

40. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein said at least three sub fields-of-view are substantially non-overlapping.

41. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein said signal processing circuitry is operative to process said output signals by noting time durations of said output signals from adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors and providing said motion detection output at least when the ratio between said time durations is within a predetermined range of values.

42. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 41 and wherein said predetermined range of values is 0.5 to 2.0.

43. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein said signal processing circuitry is operative to process said output signals by noting a time difference between receipt of said output signals and time durations of said output signals and to provide said motion detection output if, in response to receipt of said output signals from at least two adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors having respective time durations and a time difference therebetween, said time durations and said time difference therebetween having a time relationship therebetween which meets at least one predetermined criterion.

44. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 43 and wherein said at least one predetermined criterion comprises whether a ratio between said time difference and at least one of said time durations lies within a predetermined range of values.

45. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 43 and wherein said at least one predetermined criterion comprises whether ratios between said time difference and each of said time durations lie within a predetermined range of values.

46. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 44 and wherein said predetermined range of values is based at least in part on divergence angles of at least two zones of two different ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view corresponding to said at least two adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors.

47. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 44 and wherein said predetermined range of values is based at least in part on an angle between at least two zones of two different ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view corresponding to said at least two adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors.

48. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein each said optical element is directed in a corresponding direction, the corresponding directions of said optical elements of each two of said at least three sub-detectors being different.

49. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein said optical element comprises a non focusing optical element.

50. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 49 and wherein said non-focusing optical element comprises a reflective optical element.

51. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein said optical element comprises a focusing element.

52. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 51 and wherein said focusing element comprises at least one of a reflective element, a refractive element, a diffractive element and a cylindrical optical element.

63. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein said signal processing circuitry is operative to note a sequence of receipt of said output signals by said at least three sub-detectors and to provide motion direction output based on said sequence.

64. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein said signal processing circuitry is operative to note a sequence of receipt of said output signals by said at least three sub-detectors and to provide motion path output information based on said sequence.

65. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein said passive infra-red detector is operative to receive radiation from a field-of-view having a field-of-view divergence angle of at least 45 degrees.

66. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises a single coplanar azimuthally distributed detection zone.

67. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises multiple coplanar azimuthally distributed detection zones.

68. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises a single vertically distributed detection zone.

69. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises multiple vertically distributed detection zones.

70. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 66 and wherein adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view are separated by a gap of no more than 30 degrees.

71. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 67 and wherein said azimuthally distributed detection zones have corresponding divergence angles and said gap has an angular extent which is less than or equal to twice the largest angular extent of said divergence angles of detection zones of said adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view.

72. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 70 and wherein said gap has an angular extent which is less than or equal to a largest azimuthal angle A-2B between any two adjacent detection zones of said adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view.

73. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 39 and also comprising a housing formed with an aperture adapted for passage therethrough of infra-red radiation, wherein said at least three sub fields-of-view intersect generally at an intersection region located at said aperture, and said aperture is generally equal in size to the size of said intersection region.

74. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 73 and wherein a window transparent to infra-red radiation is located adjacent said aperture.

75. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 74 and wherein a center of said window is located generally at a center of said aperture.

76. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 74 and wherein said window has a circular cross-section.

77. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 74 and wherein said window is generally flat.

78. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 74 and wherein said window is formed of at least one of HDPE, Silicon and Germanium.

79. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 74 and also comprising masking detection functionality for providing an alarm output upon detection of masking materials obstructing said window.

80. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 74 and also comprising a guard element surrounding said window for providing mechanical protection to said window.

53. A passive infra-red detector comprising:

at least three sub-detectors, each operative to receive infra-red radiation from a corresponding one of at least three sub fields-of-view, said at least three sub fields-of-view being substantially non-overlapping and being angled with respect to each other; and

signal processing circuitry, receiving output signals from said at least three sub-detectors and noting time differences between receipt of said output signals from adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors and providing a motion detection output in response to receipt of said output signals from said adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors having a time difference which is at least within certain predetermined limits.

223. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 53 and wherein said signal processing circuitry is operative to note a sequence of receipt of said output signals by said at least three sub-detectors and to provide motion direction output based on said sequence.

224. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 53 and wherein said signal processing circuitry is operative to note a sequence of receipt of said output signals by said at least three sub-detectors and to provide motion path output information based on said sequence.

225. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 53 and wherein said passive infra-red detector is operative to receive radiation from a field-of-view having a field-of-view divergence angle of at least 45 degrees.

226. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 53 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises a single coplanar azimuthally distributed detection zone.

227. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 53 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises multiple coplanar azimuthally distributed detection zones.

228. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 53 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises a single vertically distributed detection zone.

229. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 53 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises multiple vertically distributed detection zones.

230. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 226 and wherein adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view are separated by a gap of no more than 30 degrees.

231. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 227 and wherein said azimuthally distributed detection zones have corresponding divergence angles and said gap has an angular extent which is less than or equal to twice the largest angular extent of said divergence angles of detection zones of said adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view.

232. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 230 and wherein said gap has an angular extent which is less than or equal to a largest azimuthal angle A-2B between any two adjacent detection zones of said adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view.

233. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 53 and also comprising a housing formed with an aperture adapted for passage therethrough of infra-red radiation, wherein said at least three sub fields-of-view intersect generally at an intersection region located at said aperture, and said aperture is generally equal in size to the size of said intersection region.

234. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 233 and wherein a window transparent to infra-red radiation is located adjacent said aperture.

235. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 234 and wherein a center of said window is located generally at a center of said aperture.

236. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 234 and wherein said window has a circular cross-section.

237. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 234 and wherein said window is generally flat.

238. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 234 and wherein said window is formed of at least one of HDPE, Silicon and Germanium.

239. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 234 and also comprising masking detection functionality for providing an alarm output upon detection of masking materials obstructing said window.

240. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 234 and also comprising a guard element surrounding said window for providing mechanical protection to said window.

54. A passive infra-red detector comprising:

at least three sub-detectors, each operative to receive infra-red radiation from a corresponding one of at least three sub fields-of-view, said at least three sub fields-of-view being angled with respect to each other; and

signal processing circuitry, receiving output signals from at least two adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors, noting time durations of said output signals and providing a motion detection output in response to receipt of said output signals from said at least two adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors having respective time durations, the ratio of which is within predetermined limits.

55. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 54 and wherein said at least three sub fields-of-view are substantially non-overlapping.

56. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 54 and wherein said ratio is within the range of 0.5 to 2.0.

241. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 54 and wherein said signal processing circuitry is operative to note a sequence of receipt of said output signals by said at least three sub-detectors and to provide motion direction output based on said sequence.

242. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 54 and wherein said signal processing circuitry is operative to note a sequence of receipt of said output signals by said at least three sub-detectors and to provide motion path output information based on said sequence.

243. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 54 and wherein said passive infra-red detector is operative to receive radiation from a field-of-view having a field-of-view divergence angle of at least 45 degrees.

244. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 54 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises a single coplanar azimuthally distributed detection zone.

245. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 54 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises multiple coplanar azimuthally distributed detection zones.

246. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 54 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises a single vertically distributed detection zone.

247. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 54 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises multiple vertically distributed detection zones.

248. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 244 and wherein adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view are separated by a gap of no more than 30 degrees.

249. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 245 and wherein said azimuthally distributed detection zones have corresponding divergence angles and said gap has an angular extent which is less than or equal to twice the largest angular extent of said divergence angles of detection zones of said adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view.

250. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 248 and wherein said gap has an angular extent which is less than or equal to a largest azimuthal angle A-2B between any two adjacent detection zones of said adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view.

251. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 54 and also comprising a housing formed with an aperture adapted for passage therethrough of infra-red radiation, wherein said at least three sub fields-of-view intersect generally at an intersection region located at said aperture, and said aperture is generally equal in size to the size of said intersection region.

252. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 251 and wherein a window transparent to infra-red radiation is located adjacent said aperture.

253. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 252 and wherein a center of said window is located generally at a center of said aperture.

254. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 252 and wherein said window has a circular cross-section.

255. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 252 and wherein said window is generally flat.

256. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 252 and wherein said window is formed of at least one of HDPE, Silicon and Germanium.

257. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 252 and also comprising masking detection functionality for providing an alarm output upon detection of masking materials obstructing said window.

258. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 252 and also comprising a guard element surrounding said window for providing mechanical protection to said window.

57. A passive infra-red detector comprising:

at least three sub-detectors, each operative to receive infra-red radiation from a corresponding one of at least three sub fields-of-view, said at least three sub fields-of-view being angled with respect to each other; and

signal processing circuitry, receiving output signals from at least two adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors, noting time differences between receipt of said output signals and time durations of said output signals and providing a motion detection output in response to receipt of said output signals from at least two adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors having respective time durations and a time difference therebetween, said time durations and said time difference therebetween having a time relationship therebetween which meets at least one predetermined criterion.

58. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 57 and wherein said at least three sub fields-of-view are substantially non-overlapping.

59. A passive infra-red detector according to claims 57 and wherein said at least one predetermined criterion comprises whether a ratio between said time difference and at least one of said time durations lies within a predetermined range of values.

60. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 57 and wherein said at least one predetermined criterion comprises whether ratios between said time difference and each of said time durations lie within a predetermined range of values.

61. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 59 and wherein said predetermined range of values is based at least in part on divergence angles of at least two zones of two different ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view corresponding to said at least two adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors.

62. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 59 and wherein said predetermined range of values is based at least in part on an angle between at least two zones of two different ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view corresponding to said at least two adjacent ones of said at least three sub-detectors.

259. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 57 and wherein said signal processing circuitry is operative to note a sequence of receipt of said output signals by said at least three sub-detectors and to provide motion direction output based on said sequence.

260. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 57 and wherein said signal processing circuitry is operative to note a sequence of receipt of said output signals by said at least three sub-detectors and to provide motion path output information based on said sequence.

261. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 57 and wherein said passive infra-red detector is operative to receive radiation from a field-of-view having a field-of-view divergence angle of at least 45 degrees.

262. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 57 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises a single coplanar azimuthally distributed detection zone.

263. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 57 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises multiple coplanar azimuthally distributed detection zones.

264. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 57 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises a single vertically distributed detection zone.

265. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 57 and wherein at least one of said at least three sub fields-of-view comprises multiple vertically distributed detection zones.

266. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 262 and wherein adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view are separated by a gap of no more than 30 degrees.

267. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 263 and wherein said azimuthally distributed detection zones have corresponding divergence angles and said gap has an angular extent which is less than or equal to twice the largest angular extent of said divergence angles of detection zones of said adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view.

268. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 266 and wherein said gap has an angular extent which is less than or equal to a largest azimuthal angle A-2B between any two adjacent detection zones of said adjacent ones of said at least three sub fields-of-view.

269. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 57 and also comprising a housing formed with an aperture adapted for passage therethrough of infra-red radiation, wherein said at least three sub fields-of-view intersect generally at an intersection region located at said aperture, and said aperture is generally equal in size to the size of said intersection region.

270. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 269 and wherein a window transparent to infra-red radiation is located adjacent said aperture.

271. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 270 and wherein a center of said window is located generally at a center of said aperture.

272. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 270 and wherein said window has a circular cross-section.

273. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 270 and wherein said window is generally flat.

274. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 270 and wherein said window is formed of at least one of HDPE, Silicon and Germanium.

275. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 270 and also comprising masking detection functionality for providing an alarm output upon detection of masking materials obstructing said window.

276. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 270 and also comprising a guard element surrounding said window for providing mechanical protection to said window.

81-150. -150. (canceled)

151. A passive infra-red detector comprising:

at least two sub-detectors each operative to receive infra-red radiation from a corresponding one of at least two sub fields-of-view; and

signal processing circuitry, receiving output signals from said at least two sub-detectors and noting time relationships of said output signals from said at least two sub-detectors and providing a motion detection output in response to receipt of said output signals from said at least two sub-detectors having a time relationship which meets at least one predetermined criterion,

at least one of said at least one predetermined criterion being time duration of at least one of said output signals.

152. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein two of said at least two sub-detectors have substantial horizontal separation therebetween.

153. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 152 and wherein said at least one predetermined criterion is based at least in part on the extent of said substantial horizontal separation.

154. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein said at least two sub-detectors are angled with respect to each other by a horizontal separation angle and said at least one predetermined criterion is based at least in part on the extent of said horizontal separation angle.

155. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein each of said at least two sub fields-of-view includes at least one detection zone which diverges by a corresponding horizontal divergence angle and said at least one predetermined criterion is based at least in part on the extent of said horizontal divergence angles.

156. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein said at least one predetermined criterion comprises at least one of:

whether a time duration of at least one of said output signals lies within a predetermined range of values;

whether a time duration between receipt of a first output signal from a first one of said at least two sub-detectors and receipt of a second output signal from a second one of said at least two sub-detectors lies within a predetermined range of values;

whether a ratio of a first time duration of said first output signal and a second time duration of said second output signal lies within a predetermined range of values;

whether a ratio of said first time duration of said first output signal and said time duration between receipt of a first output signal from a first one of said at least two sub-detectors and receipt of a second output signal from a second one of said at least two sub-detectors lies within a predetermined range of values; and

whether a ratio of said second time duration of said second output signal and said time duration between receipt of a first output signal from a first one of said at least two sub-detectors and receipt of a second output signal from a second one of said at least two sub-detectors lies within a predetermined range of values.

157. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein said signal processing circuitry utilizes said time relationships of said output signals from said at least two sub-detectors to compute a speed of motion of an intruder generating said output signals and provides said motion detection output if said speed of motion is within a predetermined speed range.

158. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 157 and wherein said predetermined speed range is between 0.1 to 3 meters per second.

159. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 154 and wherein said signal processing circuitry utilizes said time relationships of said output signals from said at least two sub-detectors to compute a distance from the detector of an intruder generating said output signals and provides said motion detection output if said distance is within a predetermined distance range.

160. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 159 and wherein said signal processing circuitry utilizes the extent of at least one of said substantial horizontal separation between said at least two sub-detectors;

said horizontal separation angle between said at least two sub fields-of-view and a divergence angle of at least one detection zone of at least one of said at least two sub fields-of-view to compute said distance and provides said motion detection output if said distance is within said predetermined distance range.

161. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein said signal processing circuitry utilizes said time relationships of said output signals from said at least two sub-detectors to compute a ratio representing an extent of change in a speed of motion of an intruder generating said output signals of said at least two sub-detectors and provides said motion detection output if said ratio, representing said extent of change in said speed of motion of said intruder, is within a predetermined ratio range.

162. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein said signal processing circuitry utilizes said time relationships of said output signals from said at least two sub-detectors to compute a ratio (t₁/t₂)/(Z₀/t/K) representing an extent of change in a speed of motion of an intruder generating said output signals of said at least two sub-detectors and provides said motion detection output if said ratio (t₁/t₂)/(Z₀/t/K) is within a predetermined ratio range.

163. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 161 and wherein said predetermined ratio range is within at least one of the ranges 0.7 to 1.5 and 0.8 to 1.3.

164. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein at least one of said at least two sub fields-of-view comprises a curtain-like sub field-of-view.

165. A radiation detector according to claim 164 and wherein said curtain-like sub field-of-view extends generally through 90 degrees.

166. A radiation detector according to claim 165 and wherein said curtain-like sub field-of-view extends generally through 90 degrees from the vertical to the horizontal.

167. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein at least one of said at least two sub fields-of-view comprises a non-curtain like sub field-of-view.

168. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein at least one of said at least two sub-detectors includes a single element sensor.

169. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein at least one of said at least two sub-detectors includes a multiple element sensor.

170. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 151 and wherein said signal processing circuitry also includes a traversal logic functionality, which provides an alarm enabling signal based at least in part on a direction of traversal of said at least two sub fields-of-view, and provides said motion detection output based at least in part on said alarm enabling signal.

171. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 170 and wherein said traversal logic functionality provides said alarm enabling signal if at least one of said at least two sub fields-of-view was traversed.

172. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 170 and wherein said traversal logic functionality provides said alarm enabling signal if at least two of said at least two sub fields-of-view were traversed.

173. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 172 and wherein said traversal logic functionality provides said alarm enabling signal if at least two of said at least two sub fields-of-view were traversed in a first direction and were not traversed in a second direction, generally opposite to said first direction.

174. A passive infra-red detector according to claim 170 and wherein said traversal logic functionality provides said alarm enabling signal if at least two of said at least two sub fields-of-view were traversed in a first direction at least a predetermined time following traversal of said at least two sub fields-of-view in a second direction, generally opposite to said first direction.

175-222. -222. (canceled)