Detector system with adjustable field of view

• US 5,739,753 A
• Filed: 09/19/1996
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Porter, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US08/716,038
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 340/555, 340/556, 340/557, 340/600, 340/567, 340/522, 250/DIG. 1, 250/342, 250/353, 361/173, 361/174, 361/175
• US Class Current: 340/555
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 250/01 Passive intrusion detectors

Abstract

A sensor system to turn on room lights when a person enters such room but avoids nuisance tripping of the system when a person passes near but outside of the region to be monitored. The inclusion of blinder devices which can be individually set, ahead of the sensor elements, permit the region being monitored to be tailored to the particular room or location. Adjusting levers can be used to set the positions of the blinder devices and then covered to prevent tampering with the settings of the blinder devices. Special fasteners can be used to limit access to the adjusting levers.

Claims

1. A detector system with an adjustable field of view to permit selection of the region to be monitored by said detector system, comprising:

a) housing means having a back wall, two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a partial front wall joined to one another to form a substantially closed box with an opening in said front wall;

b) sensing means in said housing means adjacent said opening in said front wall to receive signals from the maximum region which can be monitored by said detector system;

c) selectively positionable blinder means mounted in said housing means between said sensing means and said opening in said front wall, said blinder means capable of being moved to a selected position between a first limit position fully exposing said sensing means and a second limit position fully covering said sensing means, the position of said blinder means determining the region to be monitored;

said blinder means further comprises;

d) at least two independent blinder elements, each of which can be moved to a different selected position to monitor a region which is not symmetrical about an axis perpendicular to the plane of said back wall; and

e) at least two operating means, one for each of said blinder elements, to permit said blinder elements to be independently positioned.

2. A detector system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a) a removable section in said front wall positioned adjacent said at least two operating means;

b) said removable section being removed to permit the operation of said at least two operating means to position said blinder means; and

c) said removable section being replaced on said front wall after said at least two operating means are positioned.

3. A detector system as defined in claim 2, wherein said removable section has selectively releasable lock means thereon to lock said removable section to said front wall and prevent unauthorized removal of said removable section and tampering with the settings of said at least two operating means.

4. A detector system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a) window means covering said opening in said front wall.

5. A detector system as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing means is a passive infra-red sensor.

6. A detector system as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing means is a visible light sensor.

7. A detector system as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing means is a radio frequency detector.

8. A detector system as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing means are photocells.

9. A detector system as defined in claim 1, wherein said blinder means and said operating means are unitary.

10. A detector system with an adjustable field of view to permit selection of the region to be monitored by said detector system, comprising:

a) housing means having a back wall, two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a partial front wall joined to one another to form a substantially closed box with an opening in said front wall;

b) sensing means in said housing means adjacent said opening in said front wall to receive signals from the maximum region which can be monitored by said detector system;

c) selectively positionable blinder means mounted in said housing means between said sensing means and said opening in said front wall, said blinder means capable of being moved to a selected position between a first limit position fully exposing said sensing means and a second limit position fully covering said sensing means, the position of said blinder means determining the region to be monitored;

d) at least two operating means, one for each of two independent blinder elements, to permit said blinder elements to be independently positioned;

e) a removable section in said from wall positioned adjacent said at least two operating means;

f) said removable section being removed to permit the operation of said at least two operating means to position said blinder means; and

g) said removable section being replaced on said front wall after said at least two operating means are positioned.

11. A detector system as defined in claim 10, wherein said removable section has selectively releasable lock means thereon to lock said removable section to said front wall and prevent unauthorized removal of said removable section and tampering with the settings of said operating means.