Passive infrared system for detecting object range, size, and direction finding proximity detector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A passive proximity detecting system for detecting an object within a detection area and controlling a controlled device, comprising:
- a first sensor comprising;
a first sensor housing; and
a first plurality of pixels arranged in a substantially contiguous array within said first sensor housing, each pixel of said first plurality of pixels configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by the object in a predetermined temperature range within at least a portion of said detection area, and in response to detecting said object generate a first detection signal having a signal level proportional to said infrared radiation emitted by said object received by each said pixel of said first plurality of pixels;
a second sensor comprising;
a second sensor housing; and
a second plurality of pixels arranged in a substantially contiguous array within said second sensor housing, each pixel of said second plurality of pixels configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by the object in a predetermined temperature range within at least a portion of said detection area, and in response to detecting said object generate a second detection signal having a signal level proportional to said infrared radiation emitted by said object received by each said pixel of said second plurality of pixels; and
a processor in communication with said first sensor and said second sensor, said processor configured to receive said first detection signal and said second detection signal, to derive a first object parameter and a second object parameter using, at least in part, a first signal level of said first detection signal from one or more of said first plurality of pixels and a second signal level of said second detection signal from one or more of said second plurality of pixels,wherein said first object parameter comprises an object distance and said second object parameter is one of the group consisting of an object size, an object position relative to said first sensor and said second sensor, an object speed, and an object direction of motion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for proximity detection includes a first sensor and a second sensor each including a sensor housing and a pixel array each configured to detect infrared radiation emitted in a predetermined temperature range, and generate a detection signal. A processor in communication with the first and second sensor is configured to receive detection signals to derive parameters of the detected object including object distance from the sensors, size, position relative to the sensors, object speed, and direction of motion.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A passive proximity detecting system for detecting an object within a detection area and controlling a controlled device, comprising:
-
a first sensor comprising; a first sensor housing; and a first plurality of pixels arranged in a substantially contiguous array within said first sensor housing, each pixel of said first plurality of pixels configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by the object in a predetermined temperature range within at least a portion of said detection area, and in response to detecting said object generate a first detection signal having a signal level proportional to said infrared radiation emitted by said object received by each said pixel of said first plurality of pixels; a second sensor comprising; a second sensor housing; and a second plurality of pixels arranged in a substantially contiguous array within said second sensor housing, each pixel of said second plurality of pixels configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by the object in a predetermined temperature range within at least a portion of said detection area, and in response to detecting said object generate a second detection signal having a signal level proportional to said infrared radiation emitted by said object received by each said pixel of said second plurality of pixels; and a processor in communication with said first sensor and said second sensor, said processor configured to receive said first detection signal and said second detection signal, to derive a first object parameter and a second object parameter using, at least in part, a first signal level of said first detection signal from one or more of said first plurality of pixels and a second signal level of said second detection signal from one or more of said second plurality of pixels, wherein said first object parameter comprises an object distance and said second object parameter is one of the group consisting of an object size, an object position relative to said first sensor and said second sensor, an object speed, and an object direction of motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for detecting an object in a detection area of a first infrared sensor comprising a first array of pixels or a detection area of a second infrared sensor comprising a second array of pixels, the method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a first signal from said first infrared sensor comprising a signal level from one or more pixels of said first array of pixels; receiving a second signal from said second infrared sensor comprising a signal level from one or more pixels of said second array of pixels; determining if said first signal and said second signal indicates detection of a warm object in a predetermined temperature range using, at least in part, a first signal level of said first signal proportional to infrared radiation emitted by said warm object received by said first sensor and a second signal level of said second signal proportional to infrared radiation emitted by said warm object received by said second sensor; and if said warm object is detected, determining a first object parameter and a second object parameter of said warm object from said sensor using, at least in part, said signal level, wherein said first object parameter comprises an object distance and said second object parameter is one of the group consisting of an object size, an object position relative to said first sensor and said second sensor, an object speed, and an object direction of motion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification