Broad field motion detector

• US 7,277,012 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2004
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Viala, Roar, Johnston, Kendall Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US10/981,896
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073412A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/545.4
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1618 using ultrasonic detection means

Abstract

A motion sensing system device and method which utilize dispersed ultrasonic radiation is disclosed. The system preferably comprises a low profile sensor unit configured to couple to a ceiling position. The sensor unit comprises an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver and a pair of acoustic reflectors positioned in a transmitting path of the ultrasonic transmitter and a receiving path of the ultrasonic receiver for generating and detecting the ultrasonic radiation in a broadcast field. The acoustic reflectors preferably comprise cones, conical cross-sections and/or combinations thereof which are integral with the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver and/or are coupled to a housing structure for positioning the acoustic reflectors in the transmitting and/or receiving paths. The sensor unit also preferably comprises a circuit for driving the transmitter and for detecting motion by detecting changes in the receiver signal. In further embodiments, the system also includes an infrared sensor and is configured to generate a response based on the combination of changes in the receiver signal and a signal form the infrared sensor.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising an ultrasonic transducer, the transducer comprising:

a) a transmitter with a stationary acoustic reflector for emitting a broad field ultrasonic radiation;

b) a receiver with a matched stationary acoustic reflector for receiving a focused portion of the broad field ultrasonic radiation; and

c) means for detecting changes in the focused portion of the broad field ultrasonic radiation, wherein the means for detecting changes in the focused portion of the broad field ultrasonic radiation includes sensor circuit in electrical communication with the receiver and in electrical communication with a load circuit, wherein the sensor circuit opens and closes the load circuit in response to the detected changes in the focused portion of the broad field ultrasonic radiation wherein each of the stationary acoustic reflector and the matched stationary acoustic reflector has a sloped wall, and a plurality of conical cross-sections one arranged around another and positioned in the path of the corresponding transmitter and receiver, respectively.

2. The sensor of claim of 1, wherein the sensor circuit is coupled to a load circuit and the sensor circuit is configured to control the load circuit based on detected changes in the focused portion of the broad field ultrasonic radiation.

3. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a housing for housing the sensor circuit and coupling the sensor to a ceiling surface.

4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein broad field ultrasonic radiation has a frequency corresponding to 20 Kilohertz or above.

5. A detector comprising:

a) a transducer comprising;

i) means for emitting a broad field ultrasonic radiation; and

ii) means for receiving and monitor the broad field ultrasonic radiation comprising an ultrasonic transmitter and a stationary acoustic reflector positioned in a path of the broad field ultrasonic radiation generated by the ultrasonic transmitter; and

b) means for detecting changes in the broad field ultrasonic radiation comprising an ultrasonic receiver a matched stationary acoustic reflector positioned in a receiving path of the ultrasonic receiver and, wherein the means for detecting changes in the broad field ultrasonic radiation includes sensor circuit in electrical communication with the receiver and in electrical communication with a load circuit, wherein the sensor circuit opens and closes the load circuit in response to the detected changes in the broad field ultrasonic radiation wherein each of the stationary acoustic reflector and the matched stationary acoustic reflector has a sloped wall, and a plurality of conical cross-sections one arranged around another.

6. The detector of claim 5, wherein the acoustic reflector and the matched acoustic reflector have a cone member positioned centrally with respect to the one or more conical cross-sections.

7. The detector of claim 5, wherein the means for detecting changes in the broad field ultrasonic radiation comprises a circuit configured to detect Doppler disturbances in the broad field ultrasonic radiation.

8. The detector of claim 5, further comprising an infrared sensor.

9. A motion sensor comprising:

a) a transducer comprising an acoustic reflector positioned in front of a ultrasonic transmitter for dispersing ultrasonic radiation into broad field ultrasonic radiation and a matched acoustic reflector positioned in front of an ultrasonic receiver for focusing the ultrasonic radiation, wherein the ultrasonic receiver generates an electrical detection signal from focused ultrasonic radiation; and

b) a circuit coupled to the ultrasonic receiver for processing the electrical detection signal and actuating a load circuit in response to the electrical detection signal wherein each of the acoustic reflector and the matched acoustic reflector has a sloped wall, and a plurality of conical cross-sections one arranged around another.