Motion detection and locating apparatus and method

• US 8,184,003 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2008
• Issued: 05/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Embedded Sensors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Embedded Sensors, Inc.
• Inventors: Nichols, Frank R.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US12/191,878
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/565, 348/155, 348/152
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/02 using radio waves G01S19/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/46 Indirect determination of position data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/62 Sense-of-movement determination G01S13/589 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0423 using sweeping light beams, e.g. using rotating or vibrating mirror

Abstract

A motion detecting apparatus and method which comprises a plurality of area-sensors each generating or modifying an electrical signal in response to a stimulus, and thereafter monitoring the signal to locate the object and its relative position, moment to moment.

Claims

1. An object locating apparatus for signaling to a user the continuous existence of an object within a designated area that is defined by the apparatus, the apparatus configured to detect energy from the object, the apparatus comprising:

at least two apertures configured to permit a controlled amount of energy therethrough and into an energy detector housing; and

at least one energy detector within the energy detector housing configured to detect at least some of the energy coming through the apertures and to generate a signal that translates the detected energy into information about the location of the object within the designated area, the information comprising at least two aspects;

(a) whether an object has entered or left the designated area, and (b) the moment to moment position of the object within the designated area relative to the apparatus,

where the apparatus is configured so that the signal information comprising the relative position of the object is used to direct a device communicatively linked to the apparatus, and

wherein the designated area is defined by the volume of space from which energy from the object can penetrate the apertures and still reach the energy detector, so that energy radiated from without the designated area has no impact on the signal generated by the energy detector.

2. The object locating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of energy detectors configured to detect energy coming through the aperture, wherein the energy detectors generate a signal that translates detected energy into information about the location of the object within the designated area.

3. The object locating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy radiated through the apertures is controlled by the aperture'"'"'s shape and size.

4. The object locating apparatus of claim 3, further comprising aperture modulation means for modulating the shape and/or size of the apertures, to vary the amount of energy permitted therethrough from an object within the designated area.

5. An object locating apparatus for signaling to a user the continuous existence of an object within a designated area that is defined by the apparatus, the apparatus configured to detect energy from the object, the apparatus comprising:

at least one aperture configured to permit a controlled amount of energy therethrough and into an energy detector housing; and

at least two energy detectors within the energy detector housing configured to detect at least some of the energy coming through the aperture and to generate a signal that translates the detected energy into information about the location of the object within the designated area, the information comprising at least two aspects;

(a) whether an object has entered or left the designated area, and (b) the moment to moment position of the object within the designated area relative to the apparatus,

where the apparatus is configured so that the signal information comprising the relative position of the object is used to direct a device communicatively linked to the apparatus, and

wherein the designated area is defined by the volume of space from which energy from the object can penetrate the apertures and still reach the energy detector, so that energy radiated from without the designated area has no impact on the signal generated by the energy detector.

6. The object locating apparatus of claim 5, comprising a plurality of apertures configured to permit a controlled amount of energy therethrough, the plurality of apertures positioned and configured to permit the energy detectors to detect energy coming through the plurality of apertures.

7. The object locating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the energy radiated through each aperture is controlled by the aperture'"'"'s shape and size so that the resultant signals generated at each detector are made unique with respect to other detectors within the same apparatus.

8. The object locating apparatus of claim 7, further comprising aperture modulation means for modulating the shape and/or size of the apertures, to vary the amount of energy permitted therethrough from an object within the designated area so that the resultant signals generated at each detector are made unique with respect to other detectors within the same apparatus.