Infrared location system

• US 5,641,963 A
• Filed: 09/29/1995
• Issued: 06/24/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mueller, Thomas J.
• Original Assignee: Mueller, Thomas J.
• Inventors: Mueller, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Glick, Edward J.
• Application Number:
  US08/536,151
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 250/342, 250/DIG. 1
• US Class Current: 250/342
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/193 using focusing means

Abstract

An improved IR detector system is described which uses a plurality of IR detection modules coupled to a central computer to determine the location of an intrusion to the system. Each IR detection module has a plurality of optically isolated lens and detector pairs arranged in an arcuate array coupled to a local microprocessor chip which is unique to that module such that each lens and detector pair produces a response to a sensed intrusion along a particular radial of the array'"'"'s arc to allow the local microprocessor to produce a coded signal to the central computer which corresponds to the direction of the sensed intrusion. Using a triangulation algorithm, the central computer combines the coded signals from whichever of the plurality of IR detection modules are active to compute the location of the intrusion.

Claims

1. An IR detector system, for locating by triangulation an intruder within a surveyed area, comprising, in combination:

first IR motion-detector means for detecting the presence of said intruder along a first radial line at a first specified angle from said first motion-detector means within said surveyed area;

spaced a substantial distance from said first IR motion-detector means, second IR motion-detector means for detecting the presence of said intruder along a second radial line at a second specified angle from said second motion-detector means within said surveyed area; and

central computer means coupled to said first and said second IR motion-detector means for computing by triangulation the location of said intruder within said surveyed area;

wherein said first IR motion-detector means and said second IR motion-detector means each further comprises

IR detector module means having a plurality of lens and IR sensor pairs disposed in an arcuate module, each of said lens and IR sensor pairs having IR isolation from all others of said plurality of lens and IR sensor pairs so that said each of said lens and IR sensor pairs produces maximum IR detection response along a unique radial path of the arc of said arcuate module.

2. An IR detector system according to claim 1, said IR detector module means further comprising:

local microprocessor means for computing a code; and

address means coupled to said local microprocessor means for identifying said IR detector module means;

said code identifying said unique radial path as detected.

3. An IR detector system according to claim 2, said local microprocessor means further comprising:

communications port means for transmitting said code to said central computer means.

4. An IR detector system according to claim 3, said communications port means further comprising:

dual serial port means for connecting a plurality of said IR detector module means to said central computer means in a "daisy chain" fashion.

5. An IR detector system according to claim 1, said central computer means further comprising:

triangulation algorithm means for calculating said location of said intruder from said first and said second specified angles.

6. An IR detector system according to claim 5, said central computer means further comprising:

graphic display means for displaying a graphical representation of said surveyed area.

7. An IR detector system according to claim 6, said central computer means further comprising:

personal computer means;

said personal computer means further comprising keyboard means for local control of said IR detector system.

8. An IR detector system, for obtaining information for triangulation use for locating an intruder within a surveyed area, comprising:

a first IR detector module which has a plurality of lens and IR sensor pairs disposed in a first arcuate module, each of said lens and IR sensor pairs having IR isolation from all others of said plurality of lens and IR sensor pairs, so that said each of said lens and IR sensor pairs produces maximum IR detection response along a unique first radial path of the arc of said first arcuate module so that said first radial path can be used to establish the location of said intruder; and

spaced, for said triangulation use, from said first IR detection module, a second IR detector module which has a plurality of lens and IR sensor pairs disposed in a second arcuate module, each of said lens and IR sensor pairs having IR isolation from all others of said plurality of lens and IR sensor pairs so that said each of said lens and IR sensor pairs produces maximum IR detection response along a unique second radial path of the arc of said second arcuate module so that the intersection of said first radial path and said second radial path can be used to establish the location of said intruder.

9. An IR detector system, for locating an intruder within a surveyed area, comprising, in combination:

first IR detector means for detecting the presence of said intruder along a first radial line at a first specified angle;

second IR detector means for detecting the presence of said intruder along a second radial line at a second specified angle; and

central computer means coupled to said first and said second IR detector means for computing the location of said intruder within said surveyed area;

wherein said first IR detector means and said second IR detector means each comprise IR detector module means having a plurality of lens and IR sensor pairs disposed in an arcuate module, each of said lens and IR sensor pairs having IR isolation from all others of said plurality of lens and IR sensor pairs so that said each of said lens and IR sensor pairs produces maximum IR detection response along a unique radial path of the arc of said arcuate module; and

wherein said IR detector module means further comprises local microprocessor means for computing a code; and

address means coupled to said local microprocessor means for identifying said IR detector module means, said code identifying said unique radial path as detected.

10. An IR detector system for locating an intruder within a surveyed area according to claim 9, said local microprocessor means further comprising:

communications port means for transmitting said code to said central computer means.

11. An IR detector system for locating an intruder within a surveyed area according to claim 10, said communications port means further comprising:

dual serial port means for connecting a plurality of said IR detector module means to said central computer means in a "daisy chain" fashion.