Motion detector and adapter therefor

• US 7,005,990 B1
• Filed: 07/03/2003
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steven J Rocci
• Original Assignee: Steven J Rocci
• Inventors: Rocci, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/613,699
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/541, 340/565, 340/573.4, 340/825.32, 340/539.1, 340/505, 348/152, 348/155
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system

Abstract

An object that can be sensed by a motion detector is equipped with a small, battery powered transponder. A motion detector has (either internally or externally) a transceiver adapted to provide a query signal. If the object is within range of the query signal, the transponder responds with a transponder signal. The transceiver is responsive to receipt of the transponder signal to prevent the detection of motion from causing an alarm.

Claims

1. A motion detector for placement in a protected space and that normally provides a breach indication in response to a determination of motion in the protected space, comprising:

a) a receiver adapted to provide an indication that an authorization signal has been received from a transmitter; and

,

b) circuitry responsive to the indication provided by the receiver that prevents the motion detector from providing the breach indication.

2. The motion detector of claim 1 wherein the receiver is embodied as a first transceiver, and the transmitter is embodied as a second transceiver, and the first transceiver periodically transmits a query signal, and the second transceiver is responsive to receipt of the query signal to transmit the authorization signal.

3. The motion detector according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter periodically transmits the authorization signal.

4. The motion detector according to claim 1 wherein the first transceiver transmits a query signal in response to the determination of motion;

and the second transceiver transmits the authorization signal in response to receipt of the query signal.

5. The motion detector according to claim 1 wherein the receiver is embodied as a first transceiver, and the transmitter is embodied as a second transceiver, and the first transceiver transmits a query signal in response to the determination of motion, and the second transceiver is responsive to receipt of the query signal to transmit the authorization signal, and the circuitry is responsive to the indication than an authorization signal has been received to prevent the breach indication from being provided to an alarm panel.

6. The motion detector of claim 1 wherein the transmitter is embodied as a transponder adapted to be worn by an object.

7. The motion detector according to claim 1 further comprising a normally open shutter disposed over an infra-red sensing window of the motion detector, and the circuitry closes the shutter in response to the indication provided by the receiver so as to thereafter prevent any substantial infra-red radiation from passing to the sensing window.

8. The motion detector according to claim 1 wherein the receiver defines a first receiver and the motion detector is a wireless motion detector and wherein a wireless breach indication is transmitted to a second receiver in communication with the alarm panel only if no authorization signal has been received by the first receiver.

9. The motion detector according to claim 1 wherein the circuitry prevents the motion detector from providing the breach indication by preventing the motion detector from determining that an object is moving in the protected space.

10. An adapter for motion detector of the type that is placed in a protected space and that normally provides a breach indication to an alarm panel in response to a determination of motion in the protected space, the adapter comprising:

a) a receiver adapted to provide an indication that an authorization signal has been received from a transmitter; and

,

b) circuitry responsive to the indication provided by the receiver that prevents the breach indication from being provided.

11. The adapter of claim 10 wherein the receiver is embodied as a first transceiver, and the transmitter is embodied as a second transceiver, and the first transceiver periodically transmits a query signal, and the second transceiver is responsive to receipt of the query signal to transmit the authorization signal.

12. The adapter of claim 10 wherein the transmitter periodically transmits the authorization signal.

13. The adapter of claim 10 wherein the first transceiver transmits a query signal in response to the determination of motion;

and the second transceiver transmits the authorization signal in response to receipt of the query signal.

14. The adapter of claim 10 wherein the receiver is embodied as a first transceiver, and the transmitter is embodied as a second transceiver, and the first transceiver transmits a query signal in response to the determination of motion, and the second transceiver is responsive to receipt of the query signal to transmit the authorization signal, and the circuitry is responsive to the indication that an authorization signal has been received to prevent the breach indication from being provided to the alarm panel.

15. The adapter of claim 10 wherein the transmitter is embodied as a transponder adapted to be worn by an object.

16. The adapter of claim 10 further comprising a normally open shutter adapted to be disposed over an infra-red sensing window of the motion detector, and the circuitry closes the shutter in response to the indication provided by the receiver so as to thereafter prevent any substantial infra-red radiation from passing to the sensing window.

17. The adapter of claim 16 wherein the shutter is comprised of a liquid crystal material.

18. The adapter of claim 10 wherein the adapter is disposed in a housing adapted to be affixed on or adjacent to the motion detector.

19. The adapter according to claim 10 wherein the motion detector is a wireless motion detector and wherein a wireless breach indication is transmitted to a receiver in communication with an alarm panel only if no authorization signal has been received by the receiver.

20. The motion detector according to claim 10 wherein the circuitry prevents the motion detector from providing the breach indication by preventing the motion detector from determining that an object is moving in the protected space.

21. A system for use with a motion detector comprising:

a) a normally open shutter adapted to be mounted over an infra-red sensing window of the motion detector and that prevents any substantial infra-red radiation from passing there-through to the sensing window when closed; and

,

b) a housing containing a circuit that closes the shutter in response to receipt of an authorization signal.

22. The system of claim 21 further comprising a transmitter adapted to be worn by an object and that provides the authorization signal.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the circuit comprises a first transceiver and the transmitter is embodied as a second transceiver, such as transponder, and wherein the first transceiver transmits a query signal and the second transceiver is responsive to receipt of the query signal to transmit the authorization signal.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the query signal is transmitted in response to detection of infra-red radiation detected by an infra-red sensor disposed in the housing.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the second transceiver is a transponder.

26. The system of claim 21 wherein the housing is adapted to be affixed on or near the motion detector.

27. The system of claim 21 wherein the shutter comprises a liquid crystal material.

28. An adapter for a motion detector comprising a module containing circuitry that, in response to an authorization signal, prevents the motion detector from providing an indication of motion in a protected space to an alarm panel, the module being mountable on or near the motion detector.

29. The adapter according to claim 28 further comprising a normally open shutter adapted to be mounted over an infra-red sensing window of the motion detector and that prevents any substantial infra-red radiation from passing there-through to the sensing window when closed, and the circuitry closes the shutter in response to receipt of the authorization signal.

30. The adapter of claim 28 wherein the circuitry operates to block any indication of motion provided by the motion detector from being provided to the alarm panel.

31. The adapter of claim 28 wherein the circuitry comprises a first transceiver that transmits a query signal, and the authorization signal is transmitted by a second transceiver, such as a transponder, in response to receipt of the query signal, the second transceiver being adapted to be carried by an object.

32. The adapter of claim 31 wherein the motion detector is a passive infra-red motion detector, and the circuitry comprises an infra-red sensor capable of sensing the presence of infra-red radiation before the infra-red radiation causes the motion detector to provide an indication of motion, and the query signal is transmitted in response to the detection of infra-red radiation by the infra-red sensor.

33. The adapter of claim 31 wherein the second transceiver is a transponder.

34. The adapter according to claim 28 wherein the circuitry is battery powered.