Infrared detector for detecting motion and fire and an alarm system including the same

• US 5,486,810 A
• Filed: 12/13/1994
• Issued: 01/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frank Schwarz
• Original Assignee: Frank Schwarz
• Inventors: Schwarz, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, John W.
• Application Number:
  US08/355,060
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/565, 340/567, 340/578, 340/588, 340/584, 340/517, 340/521, 340/522, 340/555, 340/556, 250/DIG. 1, 250/338.1
• US Class Current: 340/521
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0806 Focusing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or concave mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/193 using focusing means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/005 combined burglary and fire alarm systems

Abstract

A integrated IR detector for detecting both motion and fire/smoke includes in one embodiment a single source of IR radiation and separate IR sensors for sensing motion and smoke. The separate sensors are coupled by their outputs to separate amplifier circuits and provide separate outputs indicating motion (intrusion) detection and smoke detection. The entire arrangement of IR source and dual sensors are mounted in a single housing and powered by a common power supply. In a second embodiment, a single passive IR motion detector having a pair of phase opposed series connected sensors is coupled to a circuit for detecting motion (intrusion) while one of the pair of sensors is coupled to a circuit for sensing changes in ambient temperature. The circuit for detecting ambient temperature changes includes logic analysis and time constant filtering to produce an alarm signal only when ambient temperature changes exceed a preset threshold rate of degrees per second. Common power supplies and control units are disclosed which allow coupling alarm signals on a single two-wire or four-wire circuit.

Claims

1. A detector which detects motion and changes in ambient temperature comprising:

a) a first passive infrared sensor and a second passive sensor, said first and second passive sensors coupled to each other in phase opposition and providing a first output;

b) first circuit means coupled to said first output for providing an intrusion alarm when infrared radiation detected by said first passive infrared detector differs from said second passive infrared detector according to first criteria; and

c) second circuit means coupled to said first passive infrared sensor at a common connection between said first and second passive infrared sensors for providing an ambient temperature change alarm when said first passive infrared sensor detects a change in infrared radiation that exceeds a predetermined amount over a predetermined time.

2. An infrared detector according to claim 1, further comprising:

d) segmented lens means proximate said first and second passive infrared sensors for providing said infrared detector with a broad angle of detection.

3. An infrared detector according to claim 1, further comprising:

a single housing containing said first and second passive infrared sensors and said first and second circuit means.

4. An infrared detector according to claim 1, wherein:

said first circuit means comprises a first amplifier coupled to said first output and pulse logic means coupled to said first amplifier for providing said intrusion alarm signal; and

said second circuit means comprises a second amplifier coupled to said common connection and threshold logic means coupled to said second amplifier for providing said ambient temperature change alarm signal.

5. An infrared detector according to claim 1, further comprising:

modulator means coupled to said first and second circuit means for modulating said intrusion alarm signal and said ambient temperature change alarm signal onto at least one direct current voltage supply wire.

6. An alarm system comprising:

a) an infrared detector for detecting both fire and motion, said infrared detector comprising,

1) a first passive infrared sensor and a second passive sensor, said first and second passive sensors coupled to each other in phase opposition and providing a first output,

2) first circuit means coupled to said first output for providing an intrusion alarm signal when infrared radiation detected by said first passive infrared detector differs from said second passive infrared detector according to first criteria, and

3) second circuit means coupled to said first passive infrared sensor at a common connection between said first and second passive infrared sensors for providing a fire alarm signal when said first passive infrared sensor detects a change in infrared radiation that exceeds a predetermined amount over a predetermined time;

b) power supply means for supplying power to said infrared detector; and

c) control unit means for receiving said intrusion alarm signal and said fire alarm signal.

7. An alarm system according to claim 6, further comprising:

d) modulator means for modulating at least one of said fire alarm signal and said intrusion alarm signal on a direct current voltage supply wire;

e) demodulator means in conjunction with said control unit means for demodulating said one of said fire alarm signal and said intrusion alarm signal from said direct current voltage supply wire, wherein said direct current voltage supply wire supplies said power from said power supply means to said infrared detector.