Multiple optical designs for a multifunction sensor

• US 6,324,008 B1
• Filed: 08/25/1998
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Ellison, David F., Baldwin, John R., Batko, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MACK, RICKY LEVERN
• Application Number:
  US09/139,874
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 359/619, 340/506, 340/511, 340/541, 340/555, 340/565, 250/353
• US Class Current: 359/619
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/16 Special arrangements for conducting heat from the object to the sensitive element
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0425 Safety, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/193 using focusing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• 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: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0201 Thermal arrangements, e.g. for cooling, heating or preventing overheating
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/18 Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components H05K1/0201, H05K1/023, H05K1/0243, and H05K1/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A universal multifunction sensor having multiple optical designs and providing a plurality of parameter sensors in one sensor module which can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment. The universal multifunction sensor comprises a passive infrared occupancy sensor and an ambient light sensor. A common network communications and control processor coupled to a common communication transceiver are shared in common by the occupancy sensor and the ambient light sensor, such that the multifunction sensor can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment. A segmented lens array comprises a plurality of lens segments forming a lens array for directing infrared radiation onto the passive infrared occupancy sensor, and is selected from one of the group of segmented lens arrays comprising: a wide view wallmount lens array providing both a wide field of view and both a long and short range detection optical pattern; a hallway wall mount lens array providing a narrow field of view and a long range detection optical pattern; a cubicle wall mount lens array providing a wide field of view and a very short range detection optical pattern; whereby the universal multifunction sensor can be provided with a segmented lens array designed to optimize the field of view and motion detection for a particular mounting application. The present invention also provides a novel detailed design for a cubicle wall mount segmented lens array providing a wide field of view and a very short range detection optical pattern suitable for operation in a close-in environment as in a cubicle.

Claims

1. A cubicle wall mount segmented lens array providing a wide field of view and a very short range detection optical pattern suitable for operation in a close-in environment as in a cubicle, and yet having the same focal distance as a wideview or hallway sensor, to create a universal lens design for a universal multifunction sensor comprising:

a. a curved Fresnel lens array comprising a plurality of Fresnel lens segments positioned along the length of the lens array, and atypically positioned out-of-focus with respect to an infrared detector element, each of which segments provides a field of view slightly below the horizon; and

b. a plurality of lensless infrared window segments positioned near the bottom of the lens array, providing a short range detection optical pattern and field of view inclined substantially downwardly with respect to the field of view of the Fresnel lens array and the horizon.

2. A cubicle wall mount segmented lens array as claimed in claim 1, wherein each Fresnel Lens segment has a focal length of substantially 1.2 inches which is defocused with respect to the infrared detector element to provide a broader detection pattern which is beneficial for close-up detection.

3. A cubicle wall mount segmented lens array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the widths of the Fresnel lens segments vary from the centrally positioned lens segments which have the narrowest width to the peripheral end-most segments which have the widest width, and the widths of the intermediate segments between the central segments and the end-most peripheral segments vary progressily from the narrow width of the central segments to the larger width of the peripheral segments.

4. A cubicle wall mount segmented lens array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the widths of the infrared window segments vary from the centrally positioned infrared window segments which have the narrowest width to the peripheral, end-most infrared window segments which have the widest width, and the width of the intermediate infrared window segments between the central infrared window segments and the end-most peripheral infrared window segments vary progressively from the narrow width of the central infrared window segments to the larger width of the peripheral infrared window segments.

5. A cubicle wall mount segmented lens array as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the infrared window segments is dimensioned approximately 0.05 inches by 0.10 inches.