SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTRUDER DETECTION

• US 20100289641A1
• Filed: 05/14/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nest Labs Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nest Labs Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US12/780,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20100289641A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/183 by interruption of a radiation beam or barrier
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/184 using radiation reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2454 Checking of authorisation of a person accessing tagged items in an EAS system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting presence and movement of intruders. Various embodiments of an intruder detection system can be based on, for example, a beam-interrupt detector or a thermal imaging device. The beam-interrupt detection based system can provide functionalities such as counting of intruders crossing a given beam. A plurality of such beams at different heights can also allow distinguishing different-sized intruders. The thermal imaging based detection system can provide functionalities such as tracking movement of intruders. A recording can be triggered by detection of intruder movement, thereby improving the efficiency of recording and reviewing information indicative of presence and movement of intruders in a monitored area. In one embodiment, non-intruders can be distinguished from intruders by querying an RFID tag carried by non-intruders. In one embodiment, non-intruders can be distinguished from intruders by facial recognition.

Claims

1. A system for detecting intruders, comprising:

a transmitter configured to produce an energy beam;

a first receiver configured to detect energy scattered in a first direction from an object illuminated by said beam;

a second receiver configured to detect energy scattered in a second direction from an object illuminated by said beam; and

a processor provided to said first receiver and said second receiver, said processor configured to detect a presence of an intruder by determining when said energy beam is at least partially interrupted, said processor further configured to distinguish between intruders and non-intruders by communicating with an RFID tag carried by non-intruders.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first receiver is battery-powered.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is battery-powered.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said transmitter.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said transmitter by using wireless communication.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to receive data from said first receiver by using wireless communication.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said first receiver is provided at a first height and said second receiver is provided at a second height.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter comprises a laser.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter produces said energy beam as a substantially continuous beam.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to produce said energy beam only at selected times.