Intelligent area monitoring system

• US 5,517,429 A
• Filed: 05/08/1992
• Issued: 05/14/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dana C. Harrison
• Original Assignee: Dana C. Harrison
• Inventors: Harrison, Dana C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEESO, THOMAS R
• Application Number:
  US07/880,754
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• Field of Search: 395/275, 395/93, 395/94, 395/132, 395/2, 364/516, 340/541, 340/568, 340/540, 340/506, 340/825.06, 342/378, 358/108
• US Class Current: 342/378
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

An intelligent area monitoring system having a plurality of sensors (11,12,13,14,15,16), a neural network computer (20), a data communications network (28,30,32,42), and multiple graphic display stations (40). The neural network computer (20) accepts the input signals from each sensor. Any changes that occur within a monitored area are communicated to system users as symbols which appear in context of a graphic rendering of the monitored area. The sensors can be active or passive. Each sensor provides an analog output (54). Codes are communicated to graphic display stations (40) via a data communications network (28,30,32,42). Based on these codes, the graphic display stations (40) select and place symbols on their display screens to accurately represent the identity and location of targets in the monitored area.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a space comprising:

a plurality of sensors;

a neural network simultaneously responsive to all of the sensors for creating a model of the space and objects within the field of view of the sensors and for providing an output corresponding to changes within the space; and

means responsive to the neural network output for indicating the changes.

2. System according to claim 1 wherein each of said sensors comprises means for providing an analog output.

3. System according to claim 1 wherein each of said sensors comprises means for providing a binary output.

4. System according to claim 1 wherein each of said sensors comprises means for providing a broadband output.

5. System according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said sensors is responsive to infrared energy.

6. System according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said sensors is responsive to optical energy.

7. System according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said sensors is responsive to microwave energy.

8. System according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said sensors is responsive to sound energy.

9. System according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said sensors is responsive to ultrasonic energy.

10. System according to claim 1 wherein said neural network provides an output corresponding to a plurality of simultaneous changes among multiple independent targets within the space.

11. System according to claim 1 wherein said neural network provides an output corresponding to the identity of an object within the space.

12. System according to claim 1 wherein said neural network provides a predetermined alert when one or more defined changes occur within the space.

13. System according to claim 1 wherein said neural network provides an output corresponding simultaneously to the location and identity of an object within the space.

14. A system for monitoring a space comprising:

a plurality of sensors;

a neural network simultaneously responsive to the output of all of the sensors for creating a model of the space and objects within the field of view of the sensors and for providing an output corresponding to a plurality of simultaneous changes among multiple independent targets within the space; and

means responsive to the neural network output for indicating the changes.

15. A system for monitoring a space comprising:

a plurality of sensors;

a neural network simultaneously responsive to the output of all of the sensors for creating a model of the space and objects within the field of view of the sensors and for providing an output corresponding to the identity of and a plurality of simultaneous changes among the objects within the space; and

means responsive to the neural network output for indicating the identity and changes among the objects in the space.

16. A system for monitoring a space comprising:

a plurality of sensors;

a neural network simultaneously responsive to the output of all of the sensors for creating a model of the space and objects within the field of view of the sensors and for providing an output corresponding to a plurality of simultaneous changes among the objects within the space; and

means responsive to the neural network output for indicating the changes and providing alerts in response thereto.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein said neural network provides said alerts when one or more changes occur within the space which exceed previously observed behavorial norms.

18. A system for monitoring a space comprising:

a plurality of sensors;

a neural network simultaneously responsive to the output of all of the sensors for creating a model of the space and objects within the field of view of the sensors and for providing an output corresponding to the identity and location of and a plurality of simultaneous changes among the objects within the space; and

means responsive to the neural network output for indicating the identity, location and changes among the objects within the space.