Fiber-optic mat sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An optical sensor, comprising:
- a support structure;
a multimode optical fiber having a plurality of bends arranged proximate the support structure, wherein the optical fiber follows a circuitous path and is adapted to establish a detection zone; and
wherein said support structure comprises;
a mat of flexible material suitable to absorb vibrations from a foundation upon which the mat may be placed while in operation and permitting the mat to detect pressure applied to the mat by an intruder and to isolate the sensing fiber from underlying vibrations.
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Abstract
An optical sensor includes a support structure. An optical fiber has a plurality of bends arranged proximate the support structure. The optical fiber follows a circuitous path and is adapted to establish a detection zone.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An optical sensor, comprising:
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a support structure; a multimode optical fiber having a plurality of bends arranged proximate the support structure, wherein the optical fiber follows a circuitous path and is adapted to establish a detection zone; and wherein said support structure comprises; a mat of flexible material suitable to absorb vibrations from a foundation upon which the mat may be placed while in operation and permitting the mat to detect pressure applied to the mat by an intruder and to isolate the sensing fiber from underlying vibrations.
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2. An optical sensor, comprising:
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a support structure; a multimode optical fiber having a plurality of bends arranged proximate the support structure, wherein the optical fiber follows a circuitous path and is adapted to establish a detection zone; and wherein the support structure comprises; a pad suitable to be disposed in close proximity to a baby to permit detection of lack of motion of the baby for an extended period of time indicating possible danger of sudden infant death syndrome.
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3. A fiber-optic detection system, comprising:
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a depolarized light source; an optical sensor in optical connection with the light source; and an optical detector in optical connection with the optical sensor, wherein the optical sensor comprises; a support structure; and an optical fiber attached to the support structure, wherein the optical fiber has a plurality of bends which follow a circuitous path thus establishing a detection zone of the optical sensor. - View Dependent Claims (6, 8, 9, 16)
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4. A fiber-optic detection system, comprising:
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a light source; an optical sensor in optical connection with the light source; an optical detector in optical connection with the optical sensor, wherein the optical sensor comprises; a support structure; an optical fiber attached to the support structure, wherein the optical fiber has a plurality of bends which follow a circuitous path thus establishing a detection zone of the optical sensor; and a non-sensing optical conduit in optical connection to the light source and optical detector, the optical sensor being in optical connection to the optical conduit at a first location. - View Dependent Claims (5, 10, 15)
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7. A fiber-optic detection system, comprising:
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a light source; an optical sensor disposed in close proximity to a subject in optical connection with the light source; an optical detector in optical connection with the optical sensor, wherein the optical sensor comprises; a support structure comprising a pad into which the optical fiber is embedded; an optical fiber attached to the support structure, wherein the optical fiber has a plurality of bends which follow a circuitous path thus establishing a detection zone of the optical sensor; and a processor in operational communication with the optical detector, wherein the processor is adapted to detect a lack of motion of the subject for a predetermined period of time; and
an alarm mechanism which, based on the detected lack of motion of the subject, is adapted to generate an alarm indicative of a likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome.
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11. A detection method, comprising:
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transmitting depolarized light into an optical sensor which comprises a plurality of multimode fiber-optic bends which follow a circuitous path to establish a detection zone; receiving light reflected by the optical sensor indicative of one of a presence or an absence of an event; and detecting one of the presence or absence of the event within the detection zone based on the received light. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification