Event detection and environmental control within a structure

• US 8,558,466 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2011
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Building Robotics, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Enlighted, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Curasi, Joseph Basil, Mohan, Tanuj, Gentry, Zachary
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Crystal L
• Application Number:
  US13/304,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20130069542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 315/155
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Embodiments of methods, apparatuses and systems for identifying an event are disclosed. One method includes sensing motion with a motion sensor, wherein the motion sensor is stationary, and the motion sensor senses motion of an object that is external to the motion sensor. The embodiment further includes matching the sensed motion with one of a plurality of stored patterns of events, and identifying an event associated with the sensed motion based on a match between a one of the plurality of patterns and the sensed motion. One apparatus includes a sensing device, wherein the sensing device includes a light sensor sensing motion and a processor. The processor is configured to match the sensed motion with one of a plurality of stored patterns of events, and identify an event associated with the sensed motion based on a match between a one of the plurality of patterns and the sensed motion.

Claims

1. A method of identifying an event, comprising:

sensing motion with a light detector;

matching the sensed motion with one of a plurality of stored patterns of events; and

identifying an event associated with the sensed motion based on a match between a one of the plurality of patterns and the sensed motion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the light detector comprises an Infrared (IR) sensor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the light detector comprises an ambient light sensor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the light detector comprises an IR sensor and an ambient light sensor, and the method further comprises:

sensing motion with the IR sensor;

sensing variations in ambient light with the ambient light sensor;

detecting occupancy and controlling activation of a light based on the sensed motion and the sensed variations in ambient light.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the light detector comprises a heat sensor.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising matching a sequence of identified events.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the matched sequence of events provides identification of a user passing through a room that includes the light detector.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the matched sequence of events provides identification of a user entering a room that includes the light detector and then remaining near motionless.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling a light associated with the light detector based at least in part on the identified event.

10. A method of identifying an event, comprising:

sensing motion with a motion sensor, wherein the motion sensor is stationary, and senses motion of an object that is external to the motion sensor;

matching the sensed motion with one of a plurality of stored patterns of events; and

identifying an event associated with the sensed motion based on a match between a one of the plurality of patterns and the sensed motion.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the motion sensor comprises an IR sensor and an ambient light sensor, and the method further comprises:

sensing motion with the IR sensor;

sensing variations in ambient light with the ambient light sensor;

detecting occupancy and controlling activation of a light based on the sensed motion and the sensed variations in ambient light.

12. A sensing device, comprising:

a light sensor sensing motion;

a processor, the processor configured to;

match the sensed motion with one of a plurality of stored patterns of events; and

identify an event associated with the sensed motion based on a match between a one of the plurality of patterns and the sensed motion.

13. A lighting fixture, comprising:

a light;

a motion sensor sensing motion;

a processor, the processor configured to;

match the sensed motion with one of a plurality of stored patterns of events; and

identify an event associated with the sensed motion based on a match between a one of the plurality of patterns and the sensed motion;

adjust an intensity of the light based at least in part on the identified event.

14. The lighting fixture of claim 13, further comprising the processor configured to communicate the identified event to another device.

15. The lighting fixture of claim 13, further comprising the processor configured to match a sequence of identified events.

16. The lighting fixture of claim 15, wherein the matched sequence of events provides identification of a user passing through a room that includes the light detector.

17. The lighting fixture of claim 15, wherein the matched sequence of events provides identification of a user entering a room that includes the light detector and then remaining near motionless.

18. The lighting fixture of claim 13, further comprising the processor configured to communicate with an external device.

19. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein the external device influences at least one of a security system and an environment control system based at least in part on the identified event.

20. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein the motion sensor comprises an IR sensor and an ambient light sensor, and the processor is further configured to:

detect occupancy and control activation of the light based on the sensed motion by the IR sensor and the sensed variations in ambient light by the ambient light sensor.

21. A lighting system, comprising a plurality of lighting fixtures that communicate with each other, each lighting fixture comprising:

a light;

a motion sensor sensing motion;

a processor, the processor configured to;

match the sensed motion with one of a plurality of stored patterns of events; and

identify an event associated with the sensed motion based on a match between a one of the plurality of patterns and the sensed motion;

adjust an intensity of the light based at least in part on the identified event.

22. The lighting system of claim 21, further comprising at least one lighting fixture communicating with an external device.

23. The lighting system of claim 21, wherein the external device influences at least one of a security system and an environment control system based at least in part on the identified event.