Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of an object
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for detecting the presence of an object, comprising:
- one or more passive thermal radiation sensors adapted to detect thermal radiation at two or more differing wavelengths such that emissitivity and absorption properties of the object are distinguishably different at at least two of said two or more differing wavelengths, said one or more passive thermal radiation sensors generating a plurality of signals responsive to said thermal radiation; and
a calculation circuit in operative relationship with said one or more passive thermal radiation sensors and adapted to contrast the emissitivity and absorption properties of the object to detect its presence by (a) calculating apparent radiometric temperatures corresponding to said plurality of signals, (b) performing one or more calculations on said radiometric temperatures to produce an output, (c) comparing said output to a threshold condition, and (d) outputting an alarm signal when said threshold condition is met, indicating presence of the object.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting and classifying an object, including a human intruder. The apparatus includes one or more passive thermal radiation sensors that generate a plurality of signals responsive to thermal radiation. A calculation circuit compares the plurality of signals to a threshold condition and outputs an alarm signal when the threshold condition is met, indicating the presence of the object. The method includes detecting thermal radiation from an object at a first and second wavelength and generating a first and second responsive signal. The signals are compared to a threshold condition that indicates whether the object is an intruder.
107 Citations
44 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting the presence of an object, comprising:
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one or more passive thermal radiation sensors adapted to detect thermal radiation at two or more differing wavelengths such that emissitivity and absorption properties of the object are distinguishably different at at least two of said two or more differing wavelengths, said one or more passive thermal radiation sensors generating a plurality of signals responsive to said thermal radiation; and
a calculation circuit in operative relationship with said one or more passive thermal radiation sensors and adapted to contrast the emissitivity and absorption properties of the object to detect its presence by (a) calculating apparent radiometric temperatures corresponding to said plurality of signals, (b) performing one or more calculations on said radiometric temperatures to produce an output, (c) comparing said output to a threshold condition, and (d) outputting an alarm signal when said threshold condition is met, indicating presence of the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for detecting the presence of an object, comprising:
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an infrared sensor for detecting thermal radiation and for generating a responsive first signal;
a millimeter wave sensor for detecting thermal radiation and for generating a responsive second signal; and
a calculation circuit coupled to said infrared sensor and to said millimeter wave sensor, said circuit adapted to contrast the emissitivity and absorption properties of the object to detect its presence by (a) calculating apparent radiometric temperatures corresponding to said first and second signals, (b) performing one or more calculations on said radiometric temperatures to produce an output, (c) comparing said output with a threshold condition, and (d) outputting an alarm signal when said threshold condition is met, indicating presence of the object. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for determining if an object is an intruder, comprising:
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detecting thermal radiation from the object at a first wavelength and generating a first responsive signal;
detecting thermal radiation from the object at a second wavelength and generating a second responsive signal, wherein at said first and second wavelengths said object exhibits distinguishably different emissitivity and absorption properties; and
contrasting the emissitivity and absorption properties of the object by (a) calculating apparent radiometric temperatures corresponding to the first and second responsive signals, (b) performing one or more calculations on said radiometric temperatures to produce an output, and (c) comparing said output to a threshold condition that indicates if the object is an intruder. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of monitoring radiometric activity to determine the presence of an object, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first input signal from a first radiometric sensor adapted to detect a first wavelength, said first input signal characteristic of a radiation spectrum of said object at said first wavelength;
receiving a second input signal from a second radiometric sensor adapted to detect a second wavelength, said second input signal characteristic of a radiation spectrum of the object at said second wavelength, wherein said radiation spectrum at said first wavelength is distinguishably different from said radiation spectrum at said second wavelength; and
contrasting the radiation spectra by;
(a) calculating a first apparent radiometric temperature corresponding to said first input signal;
(b) calculating a second apparent radiometric temperature corresponding to said second input signal;
(c) performing one or more calculations on said radiometric temperatures to produce an output; and
(d) comparing said output with a radiometric threshold condition indicative of presence of the object. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification