Method and apparatus for using an infrared reflectivity sensor in a security system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A security system, comprising:
- an infrared (IR) sensor configured to be mounted proximate to a reflecting surface of a door to be monitored, the IR sensor having an IR transmitter and an IR receiver, the IR transmitter having an active period and an idle period, the IR transmitter transmitting an intermittent control signal including control data packets during the active period, the intermittent control signal reducing a power consumption of the IR sensor, the IR receiver having an active period for detecting reflected data packets;
a processor providing the control data packets to be transmitted by the IR transmitter, the processor determining a level of packet IR reflectivity for each of the reflected data packets;
a backlight configured to light an interface device that is configured to receive input from a user, the backlight and the interface device mounted proximate to the door; and
a memory storing a level of door IR reflectivity associated with the reflecting surface of the door when the door is closed, the processor comparing the level of packet IR reflectivity to the level of door IR reflectivity to determine that the door is closed when the level of packet IR reflectivity determined by the processor and the level of door IR reflectivity stored in the memory are substantially the same, the processor activating the backlight when the IR sensor senses an object within a predetermined distance of the interface device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The IR sensor is configured to be mounted proximate to a door to be monitored. The IR sensor has an IR transmitter and an IR receiver. The IR transmitter has an active period and an idle period. The IR transmitter transmits control data packets which are provided by the processor during the active period. The IR receiver has an active period for detecting IR data and reflected data packets. Each of the reflected data packets has a packet IR reflectivity. The memory stores a door IR reflectivity associated with a door surface of the door, and the processor compares the packet IR reflectivity to the door IR reflectivity to determine at least a door position of the door.
35 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A security system, comprising:
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an infrared (IR) sensor configured to be mounted proximate to a reflecting surface of a door to be monitored, the IR sensor having an IR transmitter and an IR receiver, the IR transmitter having an active period and an idle period, the IR transmitter transmitting an intermittent control signal including control data packets during the active period, the intermittent control signal reducing a power consumption of the IR sensor, the IR receiver having an active period for detecting reflected data packets; a processor providing the control data packets to be transmitted by the IR transmitter, the processor determining a level of packet IR reflectivity for each of the reflected data packets; a backlight configured to light an interface device that is configured to receive input from a user, the backlight and the interface device mounted proximate to the door; and a memory storing a level of door IR reflectivity associated with the reflecting surface of the door when the door is closed, the processor comparing the level of packet IR reflectivity to the level of door IR reflectivity to determine that the door is closed when the level of packet IR reflectivity determined by the processor and the level of door IR reflectivity stored in the memory are substantially the same, the processor activating the backlight when the IR sensor senses an object within a predetermined distance of the interface device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 20, 21)
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10. A method for using an IR sensor within a security system, comprising:
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transmitting an intermittent control signal, including a control data packet, with an infrared (IR) transmitter of an IR sensor to detect a surface associated with a door, the intermittent signal reducing a power consumption of the IR sensor; receiving a reflected data packet with an IR receiver of the IR sensor, the reflected data packet having a packet IR reflectivity; comparing the packet IR reflectivity to a door IR reflectivity, the door IR reflectivity being based on the surface associated with the door; initiating a trouble indication when a door open position is detected for greater than a predetermined amount of time, the door open position being determined based on the comparison of the packet IR reflectivity and the door IR reflectivity. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23)
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16. A security system, comprising:
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a system control panel; an infrared (IR) sensor mounted proximate to a door to be monitored and having an IR transmitter and an IR receiver, the IR sensor located remote from the system control panel and connected to the system control panel by a network, the IR transmitter having an active period and an idle period, the IR transmitter transmitting an intermittent control signal including control data packets during the active period, the intermittent control signal reducing a power consumption of the IR sensor, the IR receiver detecting reflected data packets and IR data, the reflected data packets reflecting off a surface and having a packet IR reflectivity; a processor providing the control data packets to be transmitted by the IR transmitter, and determining the IR reflectivity of an initial reflected data packet to determine a level of door reflectivity associated with the reflecting surface of the door to calibrate the system when the door is closed; and means for transmitting a status signal from the IR sensor to the system control panel based on the determined IR reflectivity. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification