Infrared sensing device and method
First Claim
1. A sensing device for sensing infrared ray from a subject in an area having a plurality of zones, the sensing device comprising:
- a housing;
a lens in the housing, the lens focusing the infrared ray from the subject located at one of the plurality of zones in the area;
a sensor unit for receiving the infrared ray and outputting a sensed signal, the sensing unit including an infrared detector having detecting elements corresponding to the plurality of zones, the detecting elements including;
a first detecting element for detecting a first zone.a second detecting element for detecting a second zone, a combination of the first and second detecting elements detecting a third zone, anda third detecting element detecting a distance from the sensor device to the subject, wherein the first, second, and third detecting elements cover the area having the plurality of zones including the first, second, and third zones;
a guide unit adjacent to the lens, the guide unit directing the infrared ray to the sensor unit corresponding to an incident direction of the infrared ray; and
a signal processor coupled to the sensor unit and receiving the sensed signal, the signal processor determining where the subject is located from the sensed signal and producing a corresponding output signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An infrared sensing device includes a condensing lens for gathering an infrared ray from a human body, a guide unit for dividing a room to be monitored into a plurality of lateral and vertical zones and for guiding the infrared ray to a part of an infrared sensor unit corresponding to its direction, a housing for enclosing the condensing lens and guide unit to preclude dispersion of the incident infrared ray, an infrared sensor unit for sensing an infrared ray of a certain zone or infrared rays of a plurality of zones guided by the guide unit and housing, and a signal processing unit for amplifying an output signal of the infrared sensor unit, and for converting the applied signal into a digital signal and analyzing the digital signal.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A sensing device for sensing infrared ray from a subject in an area having a plurality of zones, the sensing device comprising:
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a housing; a lens in the housing, the lens focusing the infrared ray from the subject located at one of the plurality of zones in the area; a sensor unit for receiving the infrared ray and outputting a sensed signal, the sensing unit including an infrared detector having detecting elements corresponding to the plurality of zones, the detecting elements including; a first detecting element for detecting a first zone. a second detecting element for detecting a second zone, a combination of the first and second detecting elements detecting a third zone, and a third detecting element detecting a distance from the sensor device to the subject, wherein the first, second, and third detecting elements cover the area having the plurality of zones including the first, second, and third zones; a guide unit adjacent to the lens, the guide unit directing the infrared ray to the sensor unit corresponding to an incident direction of the infrared ray; and a signal processor coupled to the sensor unit and receiving the sensed signal, the signal processor determining where the subject is located from the sensed signal and producing a corresponding output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for sensing an infrared ray using a sensor from a subject in an area having a plurality of zones, the method comprising the steps of:
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focusing the infrared ray from the subject located at one of the plurality of zones in the area; directing the infrared ray to the sensor corresponding to an incident direction of the infrared ray; detecting the infrared ray using at least first and second detecting elements for detecting first and second zones, respectively, and producing a sensed signal, the detecting step including the steps of; combining the first and second elements to detect a third zone, and using a third detecting element for detecting a distance from the sensor to the subject, wherein the first, second, and third detecting elements cover the area having the plurality of zones; and processing the sensed signal and determining where the subject is located from the sensed signal and producing a corresponding output signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for sensing a plurality of infrared rays using a sensor from a plurality of subjects located in an area having a plurality of zones, the method comprising the steps of:
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focusing the infrared rays from the subjects located in at least one of the plurality of zones; directing the infrared rays to the sensor corresponding to incident directions of the infrared rays; detecting the infrared rays using at least first and second detecting elements for detecting first and second zones, respectively, and producing sensed signals, the detecting step including the steps of; combining the first and second detecting elements to detect a third zone, and using a third detecting element for detecting distances from the sensor to the subjects, wherein the first, second, and third detecting elements cover the area having the plurality of zones; and processing the sensed signals and determining a number of subjects in a zone and where the subjects are located from the sensed signals and producing corresponding output signals. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method for sensing electromagnetic radiation from a subject in an area having a plurality of zones using a sensor having a guide, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving the electromagnetic radiation from a subject; guiding the received electromagnetic radiation to the sensor through the guide corresponding to an incident direction of the radiation; sensing the electromagnetic radiation using at least first and second detecting elements for detecting first and second zones, respectively, and outputting a corresponding sensed signal, the sensing step including the steps of; combining the first and second elements to detect a third zone, and using a third detecting element for detecting a distance from the sensor to the subject, wherein the first, second, and third detecting elements cover the area having the plurality of zones; and processing the corresponding signal and determining where the subject is located from the sensed signal and producing an output signal.
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26. A method for sensing an infrared ray emitted from a subject using an infrared sensing device, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting an incident infrared ray from one of left, right, and central zones of an area divided into a plurality of zones using at least first and second detecting elements for detecting the left and right zones, respectively, the detecting step including the steps of; combining the first and second elements to detect the central zone, and using a third detecting element for detecting a distance from the sensor to the subject, wherein the first, second, and third detecting elements cover the area divided into the plurality of zones; determining an amount of activity from the subject; and determining a location of the subject relative to the infrared sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification