Passive infrared system for detecting object range, size, and direction finding proximity detector

• US 8,921,793 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2014
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Excelitas Technologies Singapore Pte., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Excelitas Technologies Singapore Pte., Ltd.
• Inventors: Barlow, Arthur John, Naumann, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaworecki, Mark R
• Application Number:
  US14/333,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20140326887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 166 Days
• Field of Search: 250/330, 250/338.1, 250/338.4, 250/339.14, 250/340, 250/341.8, 250/DIG.1
• US Class Current: 250/339.14
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/12 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/16 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves

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.

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.

2. The proximity detecting device of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to determine if said second object parameter is within a predetermined second parameter range.

3. The proximity detecting device of claim 2, wherein said processor is further configured to perform a predetermined action if said second parameter is within said predetermined second parameter range.

4. The proximity detecting device of claim 2, wherein said predetermined action is configuring a parameter state of said controlled device.

5. The proximity detecting device of claim 2, wherein said second object parameter comprises said object size, and said second object parameter range comprises an object size range.

6. The proximity detecting device of claim 2, wherein said second object parameter comprises said object position, and said second object parameter range comprises an object position range.

7. The proximity detecting device of claim 2, wherein said second object parameter comprises said object speed, and said second object parameter range comprises an object speed range.

8. The proximity detecting device of claim 2, wherein said second object parameter comprises said object direction of motion, and said second object parameter range comprises an object direction of motion range.

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.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of determining whether said second object parameter is within a predetermined second parameter range.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of performing a predetermined action if said second parameter is within said predetermined second parameter range.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said predetermined action is configuring a parameter state of said controlled device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said second object parameter comprises said object size, and said second object parameter range comprises an object size range.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said second object parameter comprises said object position, and said second object parameter range comprises an object position range.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said second object parameter comprises said object speed, and said second object parameter range comprises an object speed range.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said second object parameter comprises said object direction of motion, and said second object parameter range comprises an object direction of motion range.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of determining a number of pixels detecting said warm object.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of determining whether said number of pixels is within a predetermined pixel number range.

19. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of performing a predetermined action if said number of pixels is within said predetermined pixel number range.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said predetermined action is configuring a parameter state of said controlled device.