Method and apparatus for installing infrared sensors in intrusion detection systems

• US 5,026,990 A
• Filed: 08/28/1989
• Issued: 06/25/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SLC Technologies, Inc. (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Sentrol Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Marman, Douglas H., Winters, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fields, Carolyn E.
• Application Number:
  US07/399,629
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 250/342, 250/353
• US Class Current: 250/342
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 250/01 Passive intrusion detectors

Abstract

Apparatus and a method for previewing the field of coverage of an infrared sensor and, accordingly, adjusting its position for use in an intrusion detection alarm system. A mirror can be mounted in place of the infrared sensor and has indicia corresponding to beams of sensitivity of the infrared sensor to provide an indication of the beams of sensitivity superimposed on an image reflected by the mirror to aid in adjusting the position of the infrared sensor. Alternatively, or as verification of the sensor position, a photograph can be prepared by use of a camera located in a proposed infrared sensor position. Directional beams of sensitivity of the infrared sensor are plotted on the photograph by the use of a prepared transparent overlay showing the correspondence between areas of the photograph and respective elements of the lens of the infrared sensor. Portions of the sensor lens are masked to block reception of infrared radiation from known sources along beams of sensitivity of the infrared sensor.

Claims

1. A method for installing an infrared radiation sensor having a predetermined zone of coverage and directional reception and defining at least one directional area of sensitivity, in order to prevent reception of infrared radiation from identifiable sources which would cause interference with the operation of said infrared radiation sensor, comprising:

(a) making a photographic image, photographed from a sensor location where said infrared radiation sensor is intended to be mounted, and showing at least a portion of said zone of coverage which said infrared radiation sensor would have when mounted in a sensor location;

(b) visually identifying in said photographic image a source of potentially interfering infrared radiation located in said zone of coverage; and

(c) blocking reception by a sensor in said sensor location of infrared radiation from said source of potentially interfering infrared radiation visually identified from said photographic image.

2. The method of claim 1, including the further step of plotting on said photographic image an indication of the location that each of a plurality of directional areas defined by sensitivity of said infrared radiation sensor would have when said infrared radiation sensor is mounted in said sensor location.

3. The method of claim 1, including the steps of identifying a plurality of directional areas of sensitivity on said photographic image by using a camera located substantially in said sensor location to prepare said photographic image and thereafter superimposing on said photographic image, in a predetermined position, an overlay of transparent material on which is plotted each of a plurality of directional areas of sensitivity defined by said radiation sensor.

4. The method of claim 3, including the further step of providing indicia on said overlay and on said infrared radiation sensor to identify correspondence between portions of said overlay where said areas of sensitivity are plotted and respective portions of said sensor.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of blocking reception includes the further step of masking the respective portion of said sensor which corresponds to a source of infrared radiation shown in said photographic image where one of said areas of sensitivity is plotted when said overlay is in said predetermined position with respect to said photographic image.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of visually identifying a source of potentially interfering infrared radiation includes the step of correlating between said photographic image and said zone of coverage of said infrared radiation sensor by plotting an area of sensitivity of said infrared radiation sensor on said photographic image.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said step of correlating includes plotting each of a plurality of directional areas defined by sensitivity of said infrared sensor on said photographic image.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said step of correlating includes the step of placing an overlay over said photographic image to identify the portions of said photographic image which correspond to respective areas of sensitivity in the zone of coverage of said sensor.

9. The method of claim 8, including the further steps of providing corresponding indicia on said overlay and on a portion of said radiation sensor and masking said radiation sensor by applying infrared-opaque material to said radiation sensor in locations indicated by said indicia as corresponding to the portions of said photographic image identified as depicting sources of potentially interfering infrared radiation.

10. A method of evaluating a proposed location for installation of an infrared sensor, comprising:

(a) making a photographic image by receipt of light at a sensor location proposed for placement of an infrared sensor having a plurality of directionally oriented beams of sensitivity;

(b) plotting on said photographic image the location of at least one of said plurality of directionally oriented beams of sensitivity; and

(c) visually determining from said photographic image whether a plotted location of any of said directionally oriented beams of sensitivity includes a source of undesirable infrared radiation.

11. The method of claim 10, including the step of preparing said photographic image by using a pinhole camera in said location proposed for placement of said infrared sensor.

12. The method of claim 11, including the step of preparing said photographic image by using an instant print camera in said location proposed for placement of said infrared sensor.

13. A method for preparing an infrared sensor defining a plurality of beams of sensitivity for installation in a predetermined sensor position, comprising:

(a) preparing a photographic image of an area visible from said predetermined sensor position;

(b) plotting a respective area representing at least one of said beams of sensitivity on said photographic image;

(c) for each beam of sensitivity plotted on said photographic image determining whether a source of potentially interfering infrared radiation is shown in said photographic image; and

(d) making said infrared sensor insensitive to receipt of infrared radiation along each beam of sensitivity for which it has been determined that a source of potentially interfering infrared radiation is shown in said photographic image.

14. The method of claim 13, including the step of making said sensor insensitive to receipt of infrared radiation by masking a portion of said sensor with a self-adhesively attachable piece of infrared-opaque material.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said sensor has a multi-element lens system including a plurality of elements each defining a respective directional beam of sensitivity of said infrared sensor, the method further comprising blocking transmission of infrared light through each element of said lens system defining a beam of sensitivity with respect to which a source of potentially interfering infrared radiation is shown in a corresponding area plotted on said photographic image, so as to prevent infrared radiation from reaching said sensor from said source.

16. Apparatus for previewing a zone of coverage of a directionally sensitive infrared sensing device from a proposed sensor location, comprising:

(a) photographic means for receiving light at a proposed sensor location where said sensing device is proposed to be placed and producing a photograph of an area to be monitored by said sensing device;

(b) plotting means for indicating on said photograph a directional beam of sensitivity of said sensing device, and for thereby facilitating a determination of whether a source of potentially interfering infrared radiation visible in said photograph is located within said beam of sensitivity of said sensing device located in said proposed sensor location.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said plotting means is a generally transparent overlay including reference means for positioning said overlay with respect to said photograph, and wherein said overlay includes indicia means for identifying said directional beam of sensitivity of said sensing device in said photograph.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said directionally sensitive infrared sensing device is sensitive to infrared radiation along a plurality of directional beams of sensitivity, further comprising identifying indicia means included in said plotting means for correlating each of said plurality of directional beams of sensitivity to a respective portion of said photograph.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said indicia means correlates each of said plurality of directional beams of sensitivity specifically to a respective portion of said photograph.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said infrared sensing device includes a sensitive element and lens means for focusing infrared radiation onto said sensitive element from a source located within a directional beam of sensitivity of said infrared sensing device, and wherein said plotting means includes means for indicating correspondence between a portion of said lens means defining said directional beam of sensitivity and said photograph.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said infrared sensing device includes a sensitive element and a compound lens including a plurality of lens elements each arranged to transmit infrared radiation from a respective directional beam of sensitivity to said sensitive element in said sensor, said plotting means including means for specifically indicating correspondence between a portion of said photograph and a beam of sensitivity defined by a respective lens element of said compound lens.

22. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said photographic means is a camera including means for orienting said camera in a direction bearing a predetermined relationship to a proposed orientation of said infrared sensing device.

23. Apparatus for use in installing an infrared sensor responsive to infrared radiation received along at least one directional beam of sensitivity, comprising:

(a) light gathering means for receiving light at a proposed sensor location where said sensor is proposed to be placed and producing a photograph of an area to be monitored by said sensor;

(b) plotting means for indicating on said photograph said at least one directional beam of sensitivity of said sensor, and for indicating whether a source of infrared radiation visible in said photograph is located within said at least one directional beam of sensitivity of said sensor located in said proposed sensor location; and

(c) means for blocking transmission of infrared radiation to said sensor along said at least one beam of sensitivity identified through use of said plotting means as including said source of infrared radiation visible in said photograph.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said light gathering means is a camera capable of producing photographs without the use of separate film processing equipment.

25. Apparatus for use in preparing for installation of an infrared sensing device having a field of view for use as part of a security maintenance system, comprising:

(a) means for producing a photograph representative of the field of view of said infrared sensing device; and

(b) plotting means for identifying particular portions of said photograph and correlating said portions of said photograph with respective portions of said field of view covered by said sensing device.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said infrared sensing device is sensitive to infrared radiation along directional beams of sensitivity and wherein said particular portions of said photograph identified by said plotting means correspond with respective ones of said beams of sensitivity to infrared radiation.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further including means for preventing effective reception of infrared radiation by said infrared sensing device along selected ones of said beams of sensitivity from infrared sources identified in said particular portions of said photograph.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, including alignment means, associated with said means for producing a photograph, for establishing a predetermined relationship between said photograph and said field of view of said infrared sensing device.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further including mask means for attachment to said infrared sensing device, said mask means including a plurality of mask sectors each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of beams of sensitivity defined by said infrared sensing device, and individual ones of said mask sectors having a correspondence with individual ones of said particular portions of said photograph identified by said plotting means.

30. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said plotting means comprises an overlay for identifying said particular portions of said photograph, said overlay and said mask including corresponding indicia for correlating respective ones of said mask sectors with particular ones of said particular portions of said photograph.

31. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said infrared sensing device includes compound lens means including a plurality of lens elements for receiving infrared radiation from each of a plurality of directional beams of sensitivity and focusing said infrared radiation on a sensitive element of said infrared sensing device, said apparatus further including mask means for preventing reception of infrared radiation through a selected one of said lens elements corresponding to a selected one of said particular portions of said photograph identified by said plotting means.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, including mask means for attachment to said infrared sensing device for reducing said field of view of said infrared sensing device to predetermined angular dimensions.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said mask means includes a plurality of individually delineated easily separable mask elements each corresponding to the shape of a predetermined one of said lens elements of said infrared sensing device.

34. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said plotting means and said mask means include corresponding indicia for indicating correspondence of a mask element with a respective lens element and a respective one of said particular areas identified in said photograph by said plotting means.

35. Apparatus for previewing a zone of coverage of a directionally sensitive infrared sensing device from a proposed sensor location, comprising:

(a) mirror means located proximate a proposed sensor location, for receiving visible light and for providing an observer a reflected view of an area to be monitored by said infrared sensing device;

(b) alignment means associated with said mirror means for indicating when an eye of said observer is in a predetermined viewing position with respect to said mirror means; and

(c) indicia means associated with said mirror means and visible to said observer when said eye is in said viewing position, for indicating the location of a directional beam of sensitivity of said sensing device and for facilitating a determination of whether a potential source of interfering infrared radiation visible to said observer as a reflected image in said mirror means is located within said beam of sensitivity of said sensing device located in said proposed sensor location.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said indicia means comprises means for defining a pattern located on a surface of said mirror means.

37. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said mirror means includes a reflective surface and said indicia means are located on said reflective surface.

38. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said alignment means includes an alignment index on said mirror and visible in a predetermined apparent relationship to a reflected image of the observer'"'"'s eye when the observer'"'"'s eye is in said viewing position with respect to said mirror means.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said mirror means includes a convex mirror and said alignment index defines an area upon said convex mirror within which said observer can see said eye when said eye is in said viewing position.

40. The apparatus of claim 35 including a mounting bracket having an adjustable portion for supporting said mirror means and permitting adjustment of the orientation of said mirror means, said mounting bracket including means for holding said infrared sensing device in a predetermined position with respect to the position of said mirror means.

41. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said directionally sensitive infrared sensing device is sensitive to infrared radiation along a plurality of directional beams of sensitivity, further comprising identifying means included in said indicia means, for correlating each of said plurality of directional beams of sensitivity to a respective portion of an image reflected in said mirror means.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said indicia means identifies each of said plurality of directional beams of sensitivity specifically to a respective portion of said reflected image.

43. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said infrared sensing device includes a sensitive element and lens means for focusing infrared radiation onto said sensitive element from a source located within a directional beam of sensitivity of said infrared sensing device, and wherein said indicia means includes means for indicating correspondence between a portion of said lens means defining said directional beam of sensitivity and a corresponding portion of a reflected image seen in said mirror means by said observer.

44. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said infrared sensing device includes a sensitive element and a compound lens including a plurality of lens elements each arranged to transmit infrared radiation from a respective directional beam of sensitivity to said sensitive element in said sensing device, said indicia means including means for specifically indicating correspondence between a portion of said reflected image seen in said mirror means and a beam of sensitivity defined by respective one of said plurality of lens elements of said compound lens.

45. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said mirror means includes a reflective surface, said apparatus further including means for orienting said reflective surface in a direction bearing a predetermined relationship to a proposed orientation of said infrared sensing device.

46. A method for evaluating a proposed location for an infrared sensing device and for adjusting the orientation of said infrared sensing device, comprising:

(a) mounting a support bracket in a proposed location for an infrared sensing device;

(b) mounting a mirror, including indicia representative of the limits of each of a plurality of directional beams of sensitivity of said infrared sensing device, on a movable portion of said support bracket in a predetermined relationship to said movable portion of said support bracket;

(c) from a predetermined position with respect to said mirror, observing an image reflected in said mirror and observing with respect to said image the location of each of said directional beams of sensitivity as represented by said indicia;

(d) adjusting said movable portion of said support bracket as necessary to place said mirror in a position in which observing said reflected image in said mirror with reference to said indicia indicates that each of said directional beams of sensitivity is located in an acceptable orientation;

(e) securing said movable portion of said support bracket in said position; and

(f) mounting said infrared sensing device on said movable portion of said support bracket.