System comprising a plurality of object detection modules

• US 9,377,558 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2011
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting Holding BV (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Van Der Zanden, Henricus Theodorus, Van Zeijl, Paulus Thomas Maria
• Primary Examiner(s): Sohn, Seung C
• Application Number:
  US13/996,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20130270424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,664 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/74 Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/20 using multiple transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

A system comprises a plurality of object detection modules (SC3, SC4). An object detection module detects an object from a radiation in a particular wavelength range. The system is operable to cause an object detection module (SC4) to operate in a probing master mode (PMM). In this mode, the object detection module (SC3) produces a probing radiation (PR) in the particular wavelength range. Another object detection module (SC3) is caused to operate in a probing slave mode (PSM). In this mode, the other object detection module (SC3) provides an acknowledgment (ACK) in response to receiving the probing radiation (PR).

Claims

1. A system (SLS) comprising a plurality of object detection modules, at least a first object detection module (ODM) of the plurality of object detection modules being arranged to operate in a standard mode in which the first object detection module can detect an object from a radiation (RR) in a particular wavelength range and carry out a control depending on detection of the object, the system being operable to cause the first object detection module to operate in a probing master mode (PMM) in which the first object detection module produces a probing radiation (PR) in the particular wavelength range, and to cause at least a second object detection module to operate in a probing slave mode (PSM) in which the second object detection module provides an acknowledgment (ACK) in response to receiving the probing radiation, wherein the first object detection module (ODM) that operates in the probing master mode (PMM) is configured to associate identification data of said second object detection module with a given direction in which said second object detection module is disposed based on said acknowledgement.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first object detection module (ODM) that operates in the probing master mode (PMM) is arranged to concentrate the probing radiation (PR) in at least one of a plurality of different directions including said given direction, the system comprising a controlling entity (CT) arranged to associate the given direction into which the probing radiation is concentrated with said acknowledgment (ACK).

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is operable to cause the first object detection module (ODM) that operates in the probing master mode (PMM) and the second object detection module that operates in the probing slave mode (PSM) to carry out an initial phase (S3-S6) in which the second object detection module that operates in the probing slave mode produces a presence-indicating radiation (PI) and the first object detection module that operates in the probing master mode (PMM) successively concentrates reception sensitivity into respective different directions including said given direction so as to detect the given direction from which the presence-indicating radiation arrives at the first object detection module, the first object detection module that operates in the probing master mode being arranged to subsequently concentrate the probing radiation (PR) into the given direction.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first object detection module that operates in the probing master mode (PMM) is arranged to broadcast a signal (PS) that causes other object detection modules, including said second object detection module, of the plurality of object detection modules that receive the signal to operate in the probing slave mode (PSM).

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a controlling entity (SCT) arranged to register the first object detection module (ODM) that operates in the probing master mode (PMM) and the second object detection module that operates in the probing slave mode (PSM) as neighbors, in case the second object detection module that operates in the probing slave mode provides the acknowledgment (ACK).

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a controlling entity (SCT) arranged to register a malfunction in case the first object detection module (ODM) that operates in the probing master mode (PMM) and the second object detection module that operates in the probing slave mode (PSM) have been registered as neighbors, and the second object detection module that operates in the probing slave mode does not provide a second acknowledgment (ACK).

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is arranged to cause the first object detection module (ODM) to operate in the probing master mode (PMM) and to cause the second object detection modules to operate in the probing slave mode (PSM) during regular intervals of time.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is arranged to cause respective ones of the plurality of object detection modules, including said first object detection module, to operate in the probing master mode (PMM) during respective intervals of time, and to cause respective other ones of the plurality of object detection modules, including said second object detection module, to operate in the probing slave mode (PSM).

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein a controlling entity is arranged to determine a topology of the plurality of object detection modules on the basis of said acknowledgement and other respective acknowledgments (ACK) that have been reported during the respective intervals of time.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein respective the first and second object detection modules (ODM) are associated with respective communication modules (CIF), the communication module that is associated with the first object detection module being configured to transfer a message to the communication module that is associated with the second object detection module as long as the second object detection module provides the acknowledgment (ACK) in response to the probing radiation (PR) from the first object detection module, and otherwise transfer a message to a neighboring third communication module that is associated with a neighboring third object detection module of said plurality of object detection modules that does provide a respective second acknowledgment in response in the probing radiation of the first object detection module.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second object detection module is arranged to include said identification data (ID) in the acknowledgement.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second object detection module is arranged to provide the acknowledgment via a communication interface (CIF) that is distinct from the first object detection module.

13. An object detection module (ODM), the object detection module being a first object detection module that is arranged to operate in a standard mode in which the first object detection module can detect an object from a radiation in a particular wavelength range and carry out a control depending on detection of the object, the first object detection module being arranged to operate in a probing master mode (PMM) in which the first object detection module produces a probing radiation (PR) in the particular wavelength range, wherein the first object detection module (ODM) is configured to associate identification data of a second object detection module with a direction in which said second object detection module is disposed based on an acknowledgement received from said second object detection module in response to said probing radiation.

14. A method of operating a system comprising a plurality of object detection modules, at least a first object detection module (ODM) of said plurality of object detection modules being arranged to operate in a standard mode in which the first object detection module can detect an object from a radiation in a particular wavelength range and carry out a control depending on detection of the object, the method comprising:

a probing phase in which the first object detection module is caused to operate in a probing master mode (PMM) in which the first object detection module produces a probing radiation (PR) in the particular wavelength range, and in which at least a second object detection module of said plurality of object detection modules is caused to operate in a probing slave mode (PSM) in which the second object detection module provides an acknowledgment (ACK) in response to receiving the probing radiation, wherein, during said probing phase, the first object detection module (ODM) that operates in the probing master mode (PMM) associates identification data of said second object detection module with a direction in which said second object detection module is disposed based on said acknowledgement.

15. A computer program product comprising a set of instructions that enables a processor, which is capable of executing the set of instructions, to carry out the method according to claim 14.