BACKGROUND
[0001] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to an electromagnetic sensor, and
more specifically but not exclusively, to a motion sensor, for sensing motion in an
outdoor environment.
[0002] In a typical monitoring and alarm system, one or more sensing devices, for example
a passive infra-red (PIR) sensing device, are installed on premises for the purpose
of detecting objects moving on the premises. In such systems, an electromagnetic sensor
of an installed sensing device intercepts electromagnetic radiation from objects moving
in a certain range of distances from the sensing device. When an electromagnetic sensor
intercepts electromagnetic radiation from an object it is said that the electromagnetic
sensor detects the object. Moving objects are typically persons or vehicles. On some
premises, for example a dwelling such as a house, pet animals and other animals may
move in the vicinity of the sensing device, causing the sensing device to detect the
moving pet animals and other animals.
[0003] In a typical monitoring and alarm system, an installed sensing device triggers an
action following detecting a moving object. Examples of actions are sounding an alarm,
activating a camera, and sending a message to a predefined recipient. In a typical
system, the same action is triggered regardless of the object detected by the installed
sensing device. However, in some systems, there is a need to differentiate between
different detected objects. For example, there may be a need to differentiate between
detecting a person and detecting a pet. Document
US 5,444,432 A describes a system and method for detection signal evaluation at varying signal levels.
SUMMARY
[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a device and method for differentiating
between a person detected by a motion sensor and a pet detected by a motion sensor.
[0005] The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims.
Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description
and the figures.
[0006] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are set out in the appended claims.
These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are also described herein.
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a sensing device comprises
an electromagnetic sensor having a surface with at least one electromagnetic radiation
interception area, and at least one analog signal processor connected to the electromagnetic
sensor. The at least one analog signal processor is adapted to: receive an analog
signal from the electromagnetic sensor, to produce a resulting signal having at least
one amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from a detected
object in the at least one electromagnetic radiation interception area; perform a
determination of whether a movement of a person or a pet is detected according to
a comparison between the resulting signal and a predetermined amplitude threshold;
and deliver an output indicative of the determination; wherein applying a transfer
function is applied to the analog signal received from the electromagnetic sensor
when intercepting radiation from a person or a pet animal at a frequency dependent
on the detected object's distance from the electromagnetic sensor to each of the person
or pet animal, to produce a resulting signal having a first substantially constant
amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from a person and a
second substantially constant amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor intercepts
radiation from a pet animal, characterized in that each of said first and second amplitudes
of the resulting signal is substantially constant regardless of the detected object's
distance from the sensor.
[0008] Signals produced by the electromagnetic sensor are analog electrical signals having
variable amplitudes over time. Transforming an electromagnetic sensor's output signal
to produce a signal having a substantially constant amplitude enables using simple
amplitude comparison to distinguish between detection of a person by the electromagnetic
sensor and detection of a pet by the electromagnetic sensor. According to a second
aspect of the present invention, a method for distinguishing between a person and
a pet, comprises: receiving an analog signal from an electromagnetic sensor to produce
a resulting signal having at least one amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor intercepts
radiation from a detected object in at least one electromagnetic radiation interception
area; performing a determination of whether a movement of a person or a pet is detected
according to a comparison between the resulting signal and a predetermined amplitude
threshold; and delivering an output indicative of the determination; wherein applying
a transfer function is applied to the analog signal received from the electromagnetic
sensor when intercepting radiation from a person or a pet animal at a frequency dependent
on the detected object's distance from the electromagnetic sensor to each of the person
or pet animal, to produce a resulting signal having a first substantially constant
amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from the person and
a second substantially constant amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor intercepts
radiation from the pet animal, characterized in that each of said first and second
amplitudes of the resulting signal is substantially constant regardless of the detected
object's distance from the sensor.
[0009] With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation of the first
aspect the predefined threshold is dependent on an air temperature in the vicinity
of the sensing device. Using a fixed threshold might cause false results at some temperatures.
Using a threshold suitable to air temperature in the vicinity of the sensing device
increases the accuracy of the determination.
[0010] With reference to the first aspect, in a second possible implementation of the first
aspect at least one analog signal processor applies the transfer function to the analog
signal by using at least one operational amplifier. Operational amplifiers are common
electrical components, making the present invention an economical solution to the
problem of distinguishing between detection of a person and detection of a pet animal.
[0011] With reference to the first aspect, or the second possible implementation of the
first aspect, in a third possible implementation of the first aspect at least one
operational amplifier is connected to an input of at least one additional operational
amplifier for applying the transfer function to the analog signal. Combining the functionality
of multiple operational amplifiers enables improved constancy of the result signal's
significantly constant amplitude.
[0012] With reference to the first and second aspects, in a first possible implementation
of the first and second aspects, movement of a person is detected when the first substantially
constant amplitude exceeds the predetermined amplitude threshold. Typically persons
weigh more than pets, therefore the resulting signal typically has a significantly
higher substantially constant amplitude when detecting a person than when detecting
a pet. An electrical circuit for amplitude comparison is typically cheap to manufacture,
improving the economy of the solution offered by the present invention.
[0013] With reference to the first and second aspects, in a second possible implementation
of the first and second aspects, movement of a pet is detected when the first substantially
constant amplitude is less than the predetermined amplitude threshold.
[0014] With reference to the first and second aspects, in a third possible implementation
of the first and second aspects the analog signal processor applies a transfer function
to the analog signal by convoluting a transfer signal representing a predetermined
transfer function with the analog signal. An electrical circuit for convoluting two
signals is typically cheap to manufacture, improving the economy of the solution offered
by the present invention.
[0015] With reference to the first and second aspects, in a fourth possible implementation
of the first and second aspects delivering an output comprises sounding an alarm.
Sounding an alarm facilitates alerting a plurality of persons about the determination.
[0016] With reference to the first and second aspects, in a fifth possible implementation
of the first and second aspects delivering an output comprises sending a message to
a predefined recipient. Sending a message to a predefined recipient allows alerting
a specific person of the determination.
[0017] With reference to the first and second aspects, in a sixth possible implementation
of the first and second aspects the sensing device further comprises a distance sensor
adapted to intercept electromagnetic radiation received from objects in a predefined
range of distances from the sensing device; and a controller. The controller is adapted
to: identify a correlation between the movement and a detection of a moving object
by the distance electromagnetic sensor; and deliver an output when the correlation
is identified. Adding a second electromagnetic sensor to detect a moving object at
a predefined range of distances from the electromagnetic sensor facilitates detection
of a moving person at a predefined distance from the sensing device and ignoring pets
moving at the predefined distance from the sensor.
[0018] With reference to the first and second aspects, or the sixth possible implementation
of the first and second aspects, in a seventh possible implementation of the first
and second aspects delivering an output comprises sounding an alarm.
[0019] With reference to the first and second aspects, or the sixth possible implementation
of the first and second aspects, in an eighth possible implementation of the first
and second aspects delivering an output comprises sending a message to a predefined
recipient.
[0020] With reference to the second aspect, the method may further comprise receiving a
second analog signal from a second electromagnetic sensor at the same time of said
receiving said signal from said electromagnetic sensor; identifying a correlation
between said movement and a detection of a moving object in said second analog signal;
and delivering an output when said correlation is identified. The method may further
comprise identifying a person at a predefined distance from said electromagnetic sensor;
wherein said second analog signal is received only upon said identifying a person
at said predefined distance from said electromagnetic sensor. Delivering an output
may comprise sounding an alarm and/or sending a message to a predefined recipient.
[0021] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be
or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following
drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the
scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have
the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which
the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those
described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention,
exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent
specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods,
and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.
[0023] Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the
invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied
to apparatus aspects, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features
may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure, such as
a suitably programmed processor and associated memory.
[0024] Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some
and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.
[0025] It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features
described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied
and/or used independently.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings
in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for
purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard,
the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art
how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.
[0027] In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the range where a sensor intercepts radiation
from a person and pet;
FIG. 2A is a schematic graph representing an amplitude output by a sensor in response
to a frequency of the energy intercepted from a detected object, according to some
embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 2B is a schematic graph representing a target amplitude output by a sensor in
response to a frequency of the energy intercepted from a detected object, according
to some embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary sensing device, according to some
embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of an optional flow of operations, according to some
embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary sensing device comprising two sensors,
according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary sensing device having two sensors,
according to some embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of another optional flow of operations, according to
some embodiments of the present invention having a sensing device with two sensors;
FIG. 8A is a schematic illustration of an exemplary lens array, according to some
embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 8B is a schematic illustration of the top view of a single lens from an exemplary
lens array; where the lens is a Fresnel lens, according to some embodiments of the
present invention;
FIG. 8C is a schematic illustration of the cross section of the lens shown in FIG.
8B, according to some embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a a schematic illustration of detection areas of a sensor, according to
some embodiments of the present invention;
FIGs. 10A and 10B are graphs representing captured amplitude output by a sensor when
detecting objects moving in front of the sensor, in tests executed according to some
embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 11 is three schematic graphs representing possible signal gain in response to
a frequency, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] For brevity, the term "sensor" refers to an electromagnetic sensor, the terms "energy"
and "radiation" refer to electromagnetic radiation, the term "sector" refers to an
interception sector, and the term "pet" refers to a pet animal or another animal.
[0029] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to an electromagnetic sensor, and
more specifically but not exclusively, to a motion sensor, for sensing motion in an
outdoor environment.
[0030] A typical electromagnetic sensor comprises at least one sensing surface, for intercepting
electromagnetic radiation energy such as visible light, thermal infra-red energy or
naturally emitted microwave energy. In some embodiments the sensing surface is a sensing
panel having a plurality of different electromagnetic radiation interception areas.
Such a sensor typically outputs an electrical signal having a varying amplitude and
frequency. A sensor is said to detect an object when the sensor intercepts radiation
from the object. When the sensor intercepts radiation and detects an object, the sensor
outputs a signal having an amplitude and a frequency reflective of the amount of radiation
intercepted by the sensor and the frequency at which the sensor intercepts the radiation.
[0031] Typically, a sensor intercepts more radiation from an object at a certain distance
from the sensor than from the same object at a distance greater than the certain distance
from the sensor. In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a plurality of interception
sectors arranged in a plurality of parallel rows. In addition, the field of view is
typically an angle, i.e. the sector's field of view at a certain distance from the
sensor is greater than the field of view closer to the sensor than the certain distance.
Thus an object moving at a certain distance from the sensor has certain angular velocity
greater than the angular velocity of the object moving at the certain velocity at
a distance from the sensor which is greater than the certain distance.
[0032] An object moving in front of the sensor is detected by one or more of the plurality
of sectors. A sector detects more energy when the object is in front of the center
of the sector than when the object is in front of an edge of the sector. Thus, an
object moving across the field of view of the sensor causes the sensor to generate
an output signal having variable amplitude and a frequency reflective of the angular
velocity of the object. As a result the sensor intercepts radiation from an object
moving at a certain distance from the sensor at a lower frequency than when the sensor
intercepts radiation from an object moving closer to the sensor than the certain distance.
Thus, as an object, for example a person, approaches the sensor, the closer the object
is to the sensor the higher is the amplitude and the higher is the frequency of the
signal output by the sensor. For example, an infra-red sensor, sensitive to the temperature
changes caused by movement of objects, outputs a signal with an amplitude and frequency
dependent on the object's distance from the sensor, both amplitude and frequency increasing
as the object moves closer to the sensor and decreasing as the object moves farther
from the sensor.
[0033] In addition, the sensor intercepts more radiation from a given object at a certain
distance from the sensor than from another object weighing less than the given object,
at the same certain distance from the sensor.
[0034] One problem dealt with by the present invention is the need to differentiate between
persons and pet animals, for example dogs and cats, or other animals, for example
raccoons, approaching an area, for example an entrance to a home. For example, there
may be a need to take an action, such as sound an alarm or activate a camera, when
a person is detected approaching an entrance to a home, but there may be no need to
take any action when a cat is detected approaching the entrance.
[0035] A typical motion sensor, adapted to detect any motion in a certain vicinity of the
entrance, does not differentiate between persons and pets. In a typical sensor, the
amplitude and frequency of the output signal when intercepting radiation from a person
at a certain distance from the sensor is similar to another amplitude and another
frequency of the output signal when intercepting radiation from a pet at a different
distance closer to the sensor than the certain distance. Thus, a typical sensor does
not distinguish between a pet and a person. To solve this problem, in some embodiments
of the present invention, an analog signal processor applies a transfer function to
the signal output by the sensor to produce a resulting signal having, in a certain
range of frequencies, a first substantially constant amplitude when the sensor intercepts
energy from a person and a second substantially constant amplitude when the sensor
intercepts energy froma pet. For example, in a predefined range such as between 0.2
Hertz and 6 Hertz, the difference between a highest amplitude and a lowest amplitude
of the resulting signal may be no more than 30% of the resulting signal's highest
amplitude in the predefined range. In such embodiments, the resulting signal has a
ratio between the resulting signal's lowest amplitude and the resulting signal's amplitude
that is maintained when detecting persons and pets.
[0036] In such embodiments, amplitudes of the resulting signal produced when the sensor
intercepts radiation from pets are significantly different, and lower, than other
amplitudes of the resulting signal produced when the sensor intercepts radiation from
persons, regardless of distances and speeds of the persons and pets. For example,
the resulting signal's amplitude when detecting a pet weighing 30 kilograms is about
one third the resulting signal's amplitude when detecting a person weighing about
85 kilograms. In some embodiments the resulting signal is compared to predefined amplitude
threshold. The result of the comparison is used in these embodiments to differentiate
between detection of a person and detection of a pet. For example, in some embodiments
the resulting signal has amplitudes between 0.8 volts and 1.04 volts when detecting
a dog, and amplitudes between 1.68 volts and 2.4 volts when detecting a person. An
amplitude threshold may be set at 1.3 volts.
[0037] In these embodiments, it is possible to differentiate between detection of a person
and detection of a pet using analog signal processing only, without the need to use
a camera and image processing technologies. Using analog signal processing is significantly
cheaper and easier to install than using image processing technologies.
[0038] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be
understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the
details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth
in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples.
The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out
in various ways.
[0039] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart
illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and/ordevices
according to embodiments of the invention. The flowchart and block diagrams in the
Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations
of systems, methods, and/or devices according to various embodiments of the present
invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable
instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative
implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted
in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed
substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse
order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each
block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks
in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special
purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry
out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0040] In order to understand the present invention, let us first understand the source
of a problem the present invention solves in some embodiments thereof.
[0041] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, showing a schematic illustration of the range where
a sensor intercepts radiation from a person and a pet, according to some embodiments
of the present invention. In some embodiments, a sensing device 300 comprises at least
one sensor having a plurality of sectors adapted to intercept radiation from objects
in a plurality of detection areas 303 in front of the at least one sensor. Some of
the sectors are arranged in multiple rows, one row above the other, resulting in the
detection areas being arranged in multiple areas, one area above the other. When an
object moves in front of the sensing device, the object may cover, fully or partially,
one or more of the detection areas. When the height of a person 301 moving in front
of the sensing device is greater than a height threshold, for example 1 meter, the
person is present in one or more of the detection areas simultaneously, for example
detection areas associated with sectors from two different rows. Thus, some of the
plurality of sectors intercept radiation from the person from one or more of the detection
areas simultaneously, such that the some of the plurality of sectors intercept a certain
amount of energy and the at least one sensor's output signal has a certain amplitude.
A pet 302, for example a dog, may be present in only one detection area at a time;
however, when moving close to the sensing device, the pet may cover a large part of
the detection area from which the at least one sensor intercepts radiation from the
pet. In some embodiments of the present invention, when the pet covers a large part
of the detection area, the at least one sensor's output signal has substantially the
same certain amplitude when the pet is detected as when the person is detected. In
such embodiments the amplitude of the at least one sensor's output signal is substantially
the same when detecting a remote person and a nearby pet, thus an amplitude of the
at least one sensor's output signal cannot be used to distinguish between a person
and a pet. However, amplitude comparison is simple to implement. The present invention,
in some embodiments thereof, applies a transfer function to the sensor's output signal
to create a signal having significantly constant amplitude that can be used to differentiate
between detection of a person and detection of a pet.
[0042] To understand how the present invention works, let us look at a typical output signal
from a sensor.
[0043] When a sensor detects an object at a certain distance from the sensor, for example
6 meters, the sensor's output signal has a certain frequency, for example 1 Hertz.
When the sensor detects the same object at another certain distance greater than the
certain distance, for example 10 meters, the sensor's output signal has another frequency
lower than the certain frequency, for example 0.1-0.3 Hertz.
[0044] Reference is now made to FIG. 2A, showing a schematic graph representing an amplitude
output by a sensor in response to a frequency of the energy intercepted from a detected
object, according to some embodiments of the present invention. X-axis 108 represents
the frequency of the signal output by the sensor, starting at zero (no signal output)
and increasing. Y-axis 107 represents the amplitude of the signal output by the sensor.
Graph 109 represents a typical relationship between the amplitude of the signal output
by the sensor, in response to the output signal's frequency. In such embodiments,
frequencies below a point 114 and above a point 115 are considered noise and the amplitude
in these frequencies is not considered when differentiating between movement of persons
and movement of pets. For example, point 114 may represent 0.2 Hertz, which in turn
may correspond with energy intercepted from an object at a distance of 12 meters from
the sensor. Point 115 may represent 6 Hertz, which in turn may correspond with energy
intercepted from an object at a distance of 4 meters from the sensor. The graph indicates
that between 114 and 115, the output signal's amplitude increases as the frequency
increases, reflecting that the output signal's amplitude increases as the object is
nearer the sensor. An output signal generated by the sensor in response to detecting
a human and an output signal generated by the sensor in response to detecting a pet
typically both have the same shape as graph 109. Typically, a sensor electrically
amplifies the sensor's raw output signal to produce the sensor's output signal. However,
the maximal amplitude of the sensor's output signal generated by the sensor in response
to detecting a human is typically greater, for example 2.4 volts after gain, than
the maximal amplitude of the sensor's output signal generated by the sensor in response
to detecting a pet, for example 0.8 volts after gain. Also, at a given frequency (representing
a distance from the sensor), the amplitude of the sensor's output signal generated
by the sensor in response to detecting a human is typically greater than the amplitude
of the sensor's output signal generated by the sensor in response to detecting a pet
at the same given frequency. Typically, an amplitude when detecting a person is 3
times another amplitude when detecting a pet. The present invention uses this similarity
in output signal shape but difference in amplitudes related to the same frequency
to create an amplitude comparison for differentiating between detection of a human
and detection of a pet by applying a transfer function to the output signal to produce
a resulting signal that can be used in the amplitude comparison.
[0045] A target output signal has a first amplitude when detecting a person at any distance,
and a second amplitude, lower than the first amplitude, when detecting a pet at any
distance. In embodiments having a sensor producing such a target signal, comparing
the amplitude of the output signal to an amplitude threshold may be used to differentiate
between detection of a person, when the output signal's amplitude exceeds the amplitude
threshold, and detection of a pet, when the output signal's amplitude is less than
the amplitude threshold.
[0046] Reference is now made to FIG. 2B, showing a schematic graph representing a target
amplitude output by a sensor in response to a frequency of the energy intercepted
from a detected object, according to some embodiments of the present invention. X-axis
105 represents the frequency of the signal output by the sensor, starting at zero
(no signal output) and increasing. Y-axis 104 represents the amplitude of the signal
output by the sensor. Graph 106 represents the target amplitude of the sensor's output
signal, in response to the distance. Between a certain frequency 112 and another certain
frequency 113 the output signal has a substantially constant certain target amplitude,
regardless of the object's distance from the sensor. Above the other frequency 113
the output signal's amplitude descends to zero because these frequencies are considered
noise and do not represent a detected object. In such ideal embodiments, values of
a first plurality of target amplitudes of the sensor's output signal when detecting
a plurality of persons are significantly similar. In addition, values of a second
plurality of target amplitudes of the sensor's output signal when detecting a plurality
of pets are significantly similar. The values of the first plurality of target amplitudes
and the values of the second plurality of target amplitudes are significantly different,
with the values of the first plurality of target amplitudes being significantly greater
than the values of the second plurality of target amplitudes. Such a significant difference
allows, in ideal embodiments where the sensor's output signal has a shape similar
to graph 106, for identifying an object as a person or as a pet according to the amplitude
of the target signal the sensor outputs when intercepting radiation from the object.
[0047] One possible way to achieve a transformed signal having a shape similar to the shape
of the target output signal 106 is by convoluting an output signal from the sensor
with a transfer signal. In some embodiments of the present invention, an analog signal
processor convolutes the sensor's output signal with a transfer signal, representing
a transfer function, to produce a resulting signal having a substantially constant
amplitude. For example, in embodiments where the amplitude of the output signal increases
when detecting objects at a distance of 4 to 5 meters from the sensor and decreases
when detecting objects at a distance above 7 or 8 meters from the sensor, a possible
transfer function increases gain at frequencies between 0.2 Hertz and 0.6 Hertz by
about 20 decibels, increases gain at frequencies between 6 Hertz and 10 Hertz by about
8 decibels, and decreases gain at frequencies above 10Hertz. The transfer function
reflects the amplitudes in relation to frequency of the output signal in the substantially
constant amplitude of the resulting signal. An output signal having amplitudes in
relation to frequency relatively higher than other amplitudes in relation to frequency
of another output signal, results in a resulting signal having substantially constant
amplitude higher than another substantially constant amplitude of another result signal
from the other output signal.
[0048] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, showing a schematic block diagram of an exemplary
sensing device 400 according to some embodiments of the present invention. In such
embodiments, a sensor 401 is electrically connected to an analog signal processor
408. The sensor outputs an analog output signal 409 having an amplitude and frequency
reflective of an amount of radiation intercepted by the sensor from the sensor's environment
and from objects moving in front of the sensor and the frequency at which the radiation
is intercepted. The analog signal processor may comprise an electrical component 403,
such as electrical circuits, for generating a transfer function. The analog signal
processor may comprise an electrical component 402, such as electrical circuits, for
applying the transfer function to a signal received from the sensor. In such embodiments,
applying the transfer function to the signal received from the sensor produces a resulting
signal 406 having a substantially constant amplitude in the predefined range of frequencies.
In such embodiments, the analog signal processor comprises an electrical component
404, such as electrical circuits, for comparing the resulting signal to an amplitude
threshold 405. In some embodiments, when the resulting signal's amplitude is greater
than the amplitude threshold, the analog signal processor determines that a person
is detected. Optionally, when the resulting signal's amplitude is less than the amplitude
threshold, the analog signal processor determines that a pet is detected. In some
embodiments the analog signal processor outputs an indication 407 of the determination.
[0049] In some embodiments of the present invention, the amplitude threshold depends on
a temperature of the environment of the sensor. In such embodiments, the analog signal
processor has one amplitude threshold used when the environment temperature has a
value approximately equal to the temperature of a human body, and another amplitude
threshold used when the environment temperature has a value lower or higher than the
temperature of a human body. For example, when the environment temperature has a value
between 30 degrees centigrade and 38 degrees centigrade, the amplitude threshold may
be 1.3 volt and when the temperature has a value of 25 degrees centigrade or 40 degrees
centigrade the amplitude threshold may be 1.4 volt. In some embodiments the sensing
device comprises a hardware processor. In embodiments comprising a hardware processor,
thermal compensation may be implemented in software executed by the hardware processor.
[0050] In some embodiments the analog signal processor comprises at least one operational
amplifier for applying at least part of the transfer function to the sensor's output
signal. In some embodiments comprising more than one operational amplifier, an output
of one of the more than one operational amplifier is connected to an input of another
of the more than one operation amplifier to apply the transfer function to the sensor's
output signal.
[0051] In some embodiments, the indication of the determination comprises delivering an
electrical current on an output of the analog signal processor. Optionally, the electrical
current is delivered on the output of the analog signal processor only when a person
is detected. In some embodiments, the indication of the determination comprises sounding
an alarm. Optionally, the alarm is sounded only when a person is detected. In other
embodiments the indication of the determination comprises sending a message to a predefined
recipient. The sensing device may be electrically connected to a hardware processor
adapted to send a message using a data network, for example a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)
network or a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM). Optionally, the message
is sent only when a person is detected.
[0052] Reference is also made to FIG. 4, showing a sequence diagram of an optional flow
of operations 600, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In such
embodiments, an analog signal processor receives 601 an output signal from a sensor.
In such embodiments the analog signal processor applies 602 a transfer function to
the signal to produce a resulting signal having a substantially constant amplitude.
The transfer function may be an inverse Gaussian function. In some embodiments the
substantially constant amplitude of the resulting signal is greater when movement
of a person is detected by the sensor than when movement of a pet is detected by the
sensor. In such embodiments, the analog signal processor compares 603 the resulting
signal to an amplitude threshold, and according to the comparison determines 604 whether
movement of a person was detected or movement of a pet. In some embodiments, movement
of a person is detected when the amplitude of the resulting signal is higher than
the amplitude threshold. Movement of a pet may be detected when the amplitude of the
resulting signal is lower than the amplitude threshold. In some embodiments the analog
signal processor outputs 605 an indication of the determination. The indication may
be, but is not limited to, activating a camera, sounding an alarm, and sending a message
to a predefined recipient. In some embodiments the analog signal processor is connected
to another electrical component, for example a controller. In such embodiments a possible
indication is driving an electrical current on an output of the analog signal processor
connected to the other electrical component.
[0053] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, showing a schematic illustration of an exemplary
sensing device 200 comprising two sensors, according to some embodiments of the present
invention. In such embodiments, the sensing device comprises two sensors: a top sensor
204 and a bottom sensor 208. Reference is also made to FIG. 6, showing a schematic
block diagram of an exemplary sensing device 500 having two sensors, according to
some embodiments of the present invention. Optionally, sensor 401 is a top sensor
on a vertical axis of the sensing device, electrically connected to the analog signal
processor to differentiate between detecting a person and detecting a pet. The sensing
device may comprise a bottom sensor 501 on the vertical axis of the sensing device,
electrically connected to a controller 502, such that the bottom sensor's output signal
503 is delivered to the controller. In addition, in such embodiments the analog signal
processor's indication 407 is delivered to the controller. Optionally, the bottom
sensor is adapted to detect moving objects from a certain range of distances from
the sensing device. In some embodiments, the controller is adapted to deliver current
on an output 504 of the controller when the analog signal processor indicates that
a person is detected at the same time as the bottom sensor detects an object in the
certain range of distances from the sensing device. The bottom sensor may detect a
person or a pet but not differentiate between a person and a pet. In such embodiments
the controller delivers current on the output only when the bottom detects any object
and the analog signal processor indicates the top sensor detects a person. Optionally,
the controller is delivered with a current by the analog signal processor only when
the top sensor detects a person.
[0054] In some embodiments the controller output is connected to a device capable of emitting
a light or emitting a sound, for example an alarm. In other embodiments the controller
is electrically connected to hardware processor adapted to send a message using a
data network, for example a Wifi network or a GSM network. In some such embodiments,
the hardware processor sends a message to a predefined recipient using the data network
when the controller drives a current on the output.
[0055] Reference is also made to FIG. 7, showing a sequence diagram of another optional
flow of operations 700, according to some embodiments of the present invention having
a sensing device with two sensors. In such embodiments, a controller connected to
the analog signal processor receives 701 the indication of the determination from
the analog signal processor and in 702 the controller receives an output signal from
a second sensor. In such embodiments the controller identifies 703 a correlation between
the second sensor detecting movement of an object and the analog signal processor
indicating the detection of a person. In some embodiments the controller outputs an
indication of the correlation. The indication may be, but is not limited to, driving
current on an output of the controller, activating a camera, sounding an alarm, or
sending a message to a predefined recipient. In some embodiments the second sensor
is adapted to detect objects moving at a certain range of distances from the sensor.
In such embodiments, the controller outputs the indication of the correlation only
when a person moves at the certain range of distances from the sensor.
[0056] In some embodiments, the sensing device further comprises a lens located in front
of the sensor. Optionally, the lens is a lens array, for example a multiple-frame
Fresnel lens sheet, having multiple frames with different optical characteristics
and where the multiple frames are arranged in multiple parallel rows. The different
optical characteristics may be for detecting objects at different distances from the
sensor.
[0057] Reference is now made to FIG. 8A, showing a schematic illustration of an exemplary
lens array, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments
the frames are arranged in multiple parallel rows, one row above the other.
[0058] In these embodiments each frame may be processed as a Fresnel lens, using cutting
or processing techniques as known in the art.
[0059] Reference is now made to FIGs. 8B and 8C showing schematic illustrations of a single
frame from an exemplary lens array, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8B shows a schematic illustration of a flattened top view of a single frame from
an exemplary lens array where the frame is a Fresnel lens, according to some embodiments
of the present invention. FIG. 8C shows a schematic illustration of a vertical cross
section of the same single frame, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
EXAMPLES
[0060] Reference is now made to the following examples which, together with the above descriptions,
illustrate the invention in a non-limiting fashion.
[0061] The following examples demonstrate signal amplitude of a sensor's output signal when
detecting an object moving horizontally in parallel to a vertical surface perpendicular
to the sensor's horizontal axis.
[0062] Reference is now made to FIG. 9, showing a schematic illustration of detection areas,
or zones, of a sensor, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In
such embodiments, a sensor is located at 901 on an imaginary axis 908. A right-to-left
path 903 at a constant distance 902 from the sensor has an arc shape. Axis 908 represents
a plane perpendicular to the sensor's horizontal axis. A first right-to-left path
906 parallel to the plane at a distance 904 from the plane has a varying distance
from the sensor. 909 is an example of a distance of the first path from the sensor
greater than distance 904. Also a second right-to-left path 906 parallel to the plane
at a distance of 905, greater than distance 904, has a varying distance from the sensor.
910 is an example of a distance of the second path from the sensor greater than distance
905.
[0063] Reference is now made to FIGs. 10A and 10B, showing graphs representing captured
amplitude output by a sensor when detecting objects moving in front of the sensor,
in tests executed according to some embodiments of the present invention. In these
tests, the objects move in horizontal paths parallel to a vertical surface perpendicular
to the sensor's horizontal axis.
[0064] FIG. 10A shows a graph representing sample amplitude output by the sensor when detecting
a person moving in a first horizontal path parallel to the surface at a distance of
8 meters from the surface. X-axis 801 is time in seconds. Y-axis 802 is the sensor's
output signal's amplitude in volts. Graph 803 shows the amplitude of the sensor's
output signal related to time. As the person moves along the first path, at first
the person moves closer to the sensor, and thus the amplitude and the frequency of
the graph increase. Next the person moves away from the sensor, and the amplitude
and the frequency of the graph decrease.
[0065] FIG. 10B shows a graph representing sample amplitude output by the sensor when detecting
a person moving in a second horizontal path parallel to the surface at a distance
of 3 meters from the surface. X-axis 804 is time in seconds. Y-axis 805 is the sensor's
output signal's amplitude in volts. Graph 806 shows the amplitude of the sensor's
output signal related to time. As the person moves along the second path, at first
the person moves closer to the sensor, and thus the amplitude and the frequency of
the graph increase. Next the person moves away from the sensor, and the amplitude
and the frequency of the graph decrease.
[0066] Graphs 803 and 806 are similar in shape, but differ in the values of amplitude and
frequency. In graph 803, representing amplitudes captured from motion at a distance
of 8 meters, the values of amplitude do not exceed 1.824 volts. In graph 806, representing
amplitudes captured from motion at a nearer distance of 3 meters, peak amplitudes
are as high as 2.069 volts. These graphs demonstrate how the amplitude of the sensor's
output signal is affected by the object's distance from the sensor.
[0067] Reference now is made to FIG. 11, showing three schematic graphs representing possible
signal gain in response to a frequency, according to some embodiments of the present
invention. A graph showing gain in response to frequency is a common equivalent representation
for showing amplitude in response to time. X-axis 1001 is a logarithmic representation
of frequency in Hertz. Y-axis 1002 is gain in decibels/decade. Graph 1005 shows a
possible sensor's output signal, where between frequency 1007 (representing about
0.2 Hertz) and frequency 1008 (representing about 6 Hertz) the graph is shaped as
half a Gaussian distribution function.
[0068] Graph 1004 shows a possible transfer function, where the transfer function increases
the gain for frequencies above 0.0100 Hertz and below 10.000 Hertz. For frequencies
significantly below 0.0100 Hertz and significantly above 10.000 Hertz the transfer
function decreases the gain.
[0069] A Bode graph having zeros and poles, showing the transfer function's gain related
to frequency, demonstrates a shape of the transfer function. In this example, a first
zero indicates an increase in gain of 20decibels/decade starting at 0.01 Hertz, a
first pole indicates no change in gain starting at 0.2 Hertz, a second pole decreases
gain by 20 decibels/decade starting at 0.4 Hertz, a second zero indicates no change
in gain starting at 6 Hertz and a third pole indicates a decrease in gain of 20 decibels/decade
starting at 12 Hertz. This set of zeros and poles results in a graph shaped similar
to graph 1004.
[0070] Graph 1003 shows a possible resulting function after convoluting the output signal
represented by graph 1004 with the transfer function represented by graph 1005. In
the resulting function, between points 1007 and 1008 the graph shows a substantially
constant gain.
[0071] In further examples, there is provided a sensing device, comprising: an electromagnetic
sensor having a surface with at least one electromagnetic radiation interception area;
and at least one analog signal processor connected to the electromagnetic sensor.
The at least one analog signal processor is adapted to: apply a transfer function
to an analog signal received from the electromagnetic sensor to produce a resulting
signal having a first substantially constant amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor
intercepts radiation from a person and a second substantially constant amplitude when
the electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from a pet animal; determine according
to a comparison between the resulting signal and a predetermined amplitude threshold
whether a movement of a person or a pet is detected; and deliver an output indicative
of the determination.
[0072] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented
for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to
the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described
embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles
of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies
found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand
the embodiments disclosed herein.
[0073] It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many
relevant electromagnetic sensors will be developed and the scope of the term "sensor"
is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.
[0074] As used herein the term "about" refers to ± 10 %.
[0075] The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their
conjugates mean "including but not limited to". This term encompasses the terms "consisting
of" and "consisting essentially of".
[0076] The phrase "consisting essentially of" means that the composition or method may include
additional ingredients and/or steps, but only if the additional ingredients and/or
steps do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition
or method.
[0077] As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at
least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.
[0078] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance or illustration".
Any embodiment described as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred
or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features
from other embodiments.
[0079] The word "optionally" is used herein to mean "is provided in some embodiments and
not provided in other embodiments". Any particular embodiment of the invention may
include a plurality of "optional" features unless such features conflict.
[0080] Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented
in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is
merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation
on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered
to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical
values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6
should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3,
from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual
numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless
of the breadth of the range.
[0081] Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited
numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases "ranging/ranges
between" a first indicate number and a second indicate number and "ranging/ranges
from" a first indicate number "to" a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably
and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional
and integral numerals therebetween.
[0082] Reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall
have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims.
1. A sensing device (300), comprising:
an electromagnetic sensor (401) having a surface with at least one electromagnetic
radiation interception area (303);
at least one analog signal processor (408) connected to said electromagnetic sensor
and adapted to:
receive an analog signal (409) from said electromagnetic sensor, to produce a resulting
signal (406) having at least one amplitude when said electromagnetic sensor intercepts
radiation from a detected object in said at least one electromagnetic radiation interception
area (303);
perform a determination of whether a movement of a person or a pet is detected according
to a comparison (404) between said resulting signal and a predetermined amplitude
threshold (405); and
deliver an output (407) indicative of said determination;
wherein a transfer function (403) is applied to the analog signal (409) received from
said electromagnetic sensor when intercepting radiation from a person (301) or a pet
animal (302) at a frequency dependent on the detected object's distance from said
electromagnetic sensor (401) to each of said person (301) or pet animal (302), to
produce a resulting signal (406) having a first substantially constant amplitude when
said electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from said person (301), and a second
substantially constant amplitude when said electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation
from said pet animal (302),
characterized in that each of said first and second amplitudes of the resulting signal (406) is substantially
constant regardless of the detected object's distance from the sensor within an operational
range of frequencies.
2. The sensing device of claim 1, characterized in that said movement of a person (301) is detected when said first substantially constant
amplitude exceeds said predetermined amplitude threshold (405).
3. The sensing device of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said movement of a pet (302) is detected when said second substantially constant
amplitude is below said predetermined amplitude threshold (405).
4. The sensing device of any preceding claim, characterized in that said analog signal processor (408) applies said transfer function (403) to said analog
signal by convoluting a transfer signal representing a predetermined transfer function
with said analog signal.
5. The sensing device of any preceding claim, further
characterized in that:
a distance sensor (501) adapted to intercept electromagnetic radiation received from
objects in a predefined range of distances from said sensing device; and
a controller (502) adapted to:
identify a correlation between said movement of a person or a pet and a detection
of a moving object by said distance electromagnetic sensor; and
deliver an output (504) when said correlation is identified.
6. The sensing device of any preceding claim, characterized in that said predefined threshold (405) is dependent on an air temperature in the vicinity
of said sensing device (300).
7. The sensing device of any preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one analog signal processor (408) applies said transfer function (403)
to said analog signal by using at least one operational amplifier.
8. The sensing device of claim 7, characterized in that said at least one operational amplifier is connected to an input of at least one
additional operational amplifier for applying said transfer function to said analog
signal.
9. The sensing device of any preceding claim, wherein said comparison between said resulting
signal and a predetermined amplitude threshold is characterized by having a difference between a highest amplitude and a lowest amplitude of the resulting
signal of no more than 30% of the resulting signal's highest amplitude in the predefined
frequency range.
10. A method for distinguishing between a person and a pet, comprising:
receiving (601) an analog signal from an electromagnetic sensor to produce a resulting
signal (406) having at least one amplitude when said electromagnetic sensor intercepts
radiation from a detected object in at least one electromagnetic radiation interception
area (303);
performing (604) a determination of whether a movement of a person or a pet is detected
according to a comparison (603) between said resulting signal (406) and a predetermined
amplitude threshold;
delivering (605) an output indicative of said determination; and
applying (602) a transfer function to the analog signal received from said electromagnetic
sensor when intercepting radiation from a person (301) or a pet animal (302) at a
frequency dependent on the detected object's distance from said electromagnetic sensor
(401) to each of said person (301) or pet animal (302), to produce a resulting signal
having a first substantially constant amplitude when said electromagnetic sensor intercepts
radiation from said person (301) and a second substantially constant amplitude when
said electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from said pet animal (302),
characterized in that each of said first and second amplitudes of the resulting signal (406) is substantially
constant regardless of the detected object's distance from the sensor within an operational
range of frequencies.
11. The method of claim 10, characterized in that said delivering (605) an output comprises sending a message to a predefined recipient.
12. The method of claim 10 or 11, further
characterized in:
receiving (702) a second analog signal from a second electromagnetic sensor at the
same time of said receiving said signal from said electromagnetic sensor;
identifying (703) a correlation between said movement and a detection of a moving
object in said second analog signal; and
delivering (704) an output when said correlation is identified.
13. The method of claim 12, further characterized in indicating detection of a person at a predefined distance from said electromagnetic
sensor;
said second analog signal is received from a second electromagnetic sensor only upon
said indicating detection of a person at said predefined distance from said electromagnetic
sensor.
14. The method of any of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that said delivering (605), (704) an output comprises sounding an alarm.
15. The method of any of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that said delivering (605), (704) an output comprises sending a message to a predefined
recipient.
1. Erfassungsvorrichtung (300), die Folgendes umfasst:
einen elektromagnetischen Sensor (401), der eine Oberfläche mit mindestens einem Abfangbereich
für elektromagnetische Strahlung (303) aufweist;
mindestens einen analogen Signalprozessor (408), der an den genannten elektromagnetischen
Sensor angeschlossen und für Folgendes ausgelegt ist:
Empfangen eines analogen Signals (409) von dem genannten elektromagnetischen Sensor,
um ein resultierendes Signal (406) mit mindestens einer Amplitude zu erzeugen,wenn
der genannte elektromagnetische Sensor Strahlung von einem erfassten Objekt in dem
genannten mindestens einen Abfangbereich für elektromagnetische Strahlung (303) abfängt;
Durchführen einer Bestimmung, ob eine Bewegung einer Person oder eines Haustieres
gemäß einem Vergleich (404) zwischen dem genannten resultierenden Signal und einer
vorbestimmten Amplitudenschwelle (405) erfasst wird; und
Bereitstellen einer Ausgabe (407), die die genannte Bestimmung anzeigt;
wobei eine Übertragungsfunktion (403) auf das analoge Signal (409) angewendet wird,
das von dem genannten elektromagnetischen Sensor empfangen wird, wenn Strahlung von
einer Person (301) oder einem Haustier (302) mit einer Frequenz abgefangen wird,die
von der Entfernung des erfassten Objekts vom genannten elektromagnetischen Sensor
(401) zu jeder der genannten Personen (301) oder zu jedem der genannten Haustiere
(302) abhängt, um ein resultierendes Signal (406) zu erzeugen,das Folgendes aufweist:
eine erste im Wesentlichen konstante Amplitude, wenn der genannte elektromagnetische
Sensor die Strahlung der genannten Person (301) abfängt, undeine zweite im Wesentlichen
konstante Amplitude, wenn der genannte elektromagnetische Sensor die Strahlung des
genannten Haustieres abfängt (302),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jede der genannten ersten und zweiten Amplituden des resultierenden Signals (406)
unabhängig von der Entfernung des erfassten Objekts vom Sensor innerhalb eines Betriebsbereichs
von Frequenzen im Wesentlichen konstant ist.
2. Erfassungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte Bewegung einer Person (301) erfasst wird, wenn die genannte erste im
Wesentlichen konstante Amplitude die genannte vorbestimmte Amplitudenschwelle (405)
überschreitet.
3. Erfassungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte Bewegung eines Haustieres (302) erfasst wird, wenn die genannte zweite
im Wesentlichen konstante Amplitude unter der genannten vorbestimmten Amplitudenschwelle
(405) liegt.
4. Erfassungsvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte analoge Signalprozessor (408) die genannte Übertragungsfunktion (403)
auf das genannte analoge Signaldurch Falten eines Übertragungssignals, das eine vorbestimmte
Übertragungsfunktion darstellt, mit dem genannten analogen Signal anwendet.
5. Erfassungsvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, die ferner durch Folgendes
gekennzeichnet ist:
einen Abstandssensor (501), der dafür ausgelegt ist, elektromagnetische Strahlung
abzufangen, die von Objekten in einem vordefinierten Entfernungsbereich von der genannten
Erfassungsvorrichtung empfangen wird; und
eine Steuerung (502), die für Folgendes ausgelegt ist:
Identifizieren einer Korrelation zwischen der genannten Bewegung einer Person oder
eines Haustieres und einer Erfassung eines sich bewegenden Objekts durch den genannten
elektromagnetischen Entfernungssensor; und
Bereitstellen einer Ausgabe (504), wenn die genannte Korrelation identifiziert wird.
6. Erfassungsvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte vordefinierte Schwelle (405) von einer Lufttemperatur in der Nähe der
genannten Erfassungsvorrichtung (300) abhängt.
7. Erfassungsvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte mindestens eine analoge Signalprozessor (408) die genannte Übertragungsfunktion
(403) unter Verwendung mindestens eines Operationsverstärkers auf das genannte analoge
Signal anwendet.
8. Erfassungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 7,dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte mindestens eine Operationsverstärker mit einem Eingang von mindestens
einem zusätzlichen Operationsverstärker verbunden ist, um die genannte Übertragungsfunktion
auf das genannte analoge Signal anzuwenden.
9. Erfassungsvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,wobei der genannte Vergleich
zwischen dem genannten resultierenden Signal und einer vorbestimmten Amplitudenschwelle
dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass eine Differenz zwischen einer höchsten Amplitude und einer niedrigsten Amplitude
des resultierenden Signals von nicht mehr als 30% der höchsten Amplitude des resultierenden
Signals im vordefinierten Frequenzbereich vorliegt.
10. Verfahren zur Unterscheidung zwischen einer Person und einem Haustier, wobei das Verfahren
Folgendes umfasst:
Empfangen (601) eines analogen Signals von einem elektromagnetischen Sensor, um ein
resultierendes Signal (406) mit mindestens einer Amplitude zu erzeugen, wenn der genannte
elektromagnetische Sensor Strahlung von einem erfassten Objekt in mindestens einem
Abfangbereich für elektromagnetische Strahlung (303) abfängt;
Durchführen (604) einer Bestimmung, ob eine Bewegung einer Person oder eines Haustieres
gemäß einem Vergleich (603) zwischen dem genannten resultierenden Signal (406) und
einer vorbestimmten Amplitudenschwelle erfasst wird;
Bereitstellen (605) einer Ausgabe, die die genannte Bestimmung anzeigt; und
Anwenden (602) einer Übertragungsfunktion auf das analoge Signal, das von dem genannten
elektromagnetischen Sensor empfangen wird, wenn Strahlung von einer Person (301) oder
einem Haustier (302) mit einer Frequenz abgefangen wird,die von der Entfernung des
erfassten Objekts vom genannten elektromagnetischen Sensor (401) zu jeder der genannten
Personen (301) oder zu jedem der genannten Haustiere (302) abhängt, um ein resultierendes
Signal zu erzeugen,das Folgendes aufweist: eine erste im Wesentlichen konstante Amplitude,
wenn der genannte elektromagnetische Sensor die Strahlung der genannten Person (301)
abfängt, undeine zweite im Wesentlichen konstante Amplitude, wenn der genannte elektromagnetische
Sensor die Strahlung des genannten Haustieres abfängt (302),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jede der genannten ersten und zweiten Amplituden des resultierenden Signals (406)
unabhängig von der Entfernung des erfassten Objekts vom Sensor innerhalb eines Betriebsbereichs
von Frequenzen im Wesentlichen konstant ist.
11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte Bereitstellen (605) einer Ausgabe das Senden einer Nachricht an einen
vordefinierten Empfänger umfasst.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, das ferner durch Folgendes gekennzeichnet ist:
Empfangen (702) eines zweiten analogen Signals von einem zweiten elektromagnetischen
Sensor zur gleichen Zeit des Empfangens des genannten Signals von dem genannten elektromagnetischen
Sensor;
Identifizieren (703) einer Korrelation zwischen der genannten Bewegung und einer Erfassung
eines sich bewegenden Objekts in dem genannten zweiten analogen Signal; und
Bereitstellen (704) einer Ausgabe, wenn die genannte Korrelation identifiziert wird.
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, das ferner durch Anzeigen der Erfassung einer Person in
einem vordefinierten Abstand von dem genannten elektromagnetischen Sensor gekennzeichnet
ist;
wobei das genannte zweite analoge Signal von einem zweiten elektromagnetischen Sensor
nur nach der genannten Anzeigeerfassung einer Person in dem genannten vordefinierten
Abstand von dem genannten elektromagnetischen Sensor empfangen wird.
14. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte Bereitstellen (605), (704) einer Ausgabe das Auslösen eines Alarms umfasst.
15. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte Bereitstellen (605), (704) einer Ausgabe das Senden einer Nachricht
an einen vordefinierten Empfänger umfasst.
1. Dispositif de détection (300), comportant :
un capteur électromagnétique (401) ayant une surface avec au moins une zone d'interception
de rayonnement électromagnétique (303) ;
au moins un processeur de signaux analogiques (408) connecté audit capteur électromagnétique
et adapté pour :
recevoir un signal analogique (409) en provenance dudit capteur électromagnétique,
pour produire un signal résultant (406) ayant au moins une amplitude quand ledit capteur
électromagnétique intercepte un rayonnement en provenance d'un objet détecté dans
ladite au moins une zone d'interception de rayonnement électromagnétique (303) ;
effectuer une détermination permettant de savoir si un mouvement d'une personne ou
d'un animal domestique est détecté en fonction d'une comparaison (404) entre ledit
signal résultant et un seuil d'amplitude prédéterminé (405) ; et
délivrer une sortie (407) indiquant ladite détermination ;
dans lequel une fonction de transfert (403) est appliquée au signal analogique (409)
reçu en provenance dudit capteur électromagnétique lors de l'interception d'un rayonnement
en provenance d'une personne (301) ou d'un animal domestique (302) à une fréquence
dépendante de la distance de l'objet détecté depuis ledit capteur électromagnétique
(401) jusqu'à chacun parmi ladite personne (301) ou ledit animal domestique (302),
pour produire un signal résultant (406) ayant une première amplitude sensiblement
constante quand ledit capteur électromagnétique intercepte un rayonnement en provenance
de ladite personne (301), et une deuxième amplitude sensiblement constante quand ledit
capteur électromagnétique intercepte un rayonnement en provenance dudit animal domestique
(302),
caractérisé en ce que chacune desdites première et deuxième amplitudes du signal résultant (406) est sensiblement
constante quelle que soit la distance de l'objet détecté depuis le capteur dans les
limites d'une plage opérationnelle de fréquences.
2. Dispositif de détection selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit mouvement d'une personne (301) est détecté quand ladite première amplitude
sensiblement constante dépasse ledit seuil d'amplitude prédéterminé (405) .
3. Dispositif de détection selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit mouvement d'un animal domestique (302) est détecté quand ladite deuxième amplitude
sensiblement constante est inférieure audit seuil d'amplitude prédéterminé (405).
4. Dispositif de détection selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit processeur de signaux analogiques (408) applique ladite fonction de transfert
(403) audit signal analogique par convolution d'un signal de transfert représentant
une fonction de transfert prédéterminée avec ledit signal analogique.
5. Dispositif de détection selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé par ailleurs en ce que :
un capteur de distance (501) est adapté pour intercepter un rayonnement électromagnétique
reçu en provenance d'objets dans une plage prédéfinie de distances depuis ledit dispositif
de détection ; et
un dispositif de commande (502) adapté pour :
identifier une corrélation entre ledit mouvement d'une personne ou d'un animal domestique
et une détection d'un objet mobile par ledit capteur électromagnétique de distance
; et
délivrer une sortie (504) quand ladite corrélation est identifiée.
6. Dispositif de détection selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit seuil prédéfini (405) dépend d'une température de l'air à proximité dudit dispositif
de détection (300).
7. Dispositif de détection selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit au moins un processeur de signaux analogiques (408) applique ladite fonction
de transfert (403) audit signal analogique en utilisant au moins un amplificateur
opérationnel.
8. Dispositif de détection selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que ledit au moins un amplificateur opérationnel est connecté à une entrée d'au moins
un amplificateur opérationnel supplémentaire pour appliquer ladite fonction de transfert
audit signal analogique.
9. Dispositif de détection selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
lequel ladite comparaison entre ledit signal résultant et un seuil d'amplitude prédéterminé
est caractérisée en ayant une différence entre une amplitude la plus haute et une amplitude la plus
basse du signal résultant de pas plus de 30 % de l'amplitude la plus haute du signal
résultant dans la plage de fréquences prédéfinie.
10. Procédé permettant de faire la distinction entre une personne et un animal domestique,
comportant les étapes consistant à :
recevoir (601) un signal analogique en provenance d'un capteur électromagnétique pour
produire un signal résultant (406) ayant au moins une amplitude quand ledit capteur
électromagnétique intercepte un rayonnement en provenance d'un objet détecté dans
au moins une zone d'interception de rayonnement électromagnétique (303) ;
effectuer (604) une détermination permettant de savoir si un mouvement d'une personne
ou d'un animal domestique est détecté en fonction d'une comparaison (603) entre ledit
signal résultant (406) et un seuil d'amplitude prédéterminé ;
délivrer (605) une sortie indiquant ladite détermination ; et
appliquer (602) une fonction de transfert au signal analogique reçu en provenance
dudit capteur électromagnétique lors de l'interception d'un rayonnement en provenance
d'une personne (301) ou d'un animal domestique (302) à une fréquence dépendante de
la distance de l'objet détecté depuis ledit capteur électromagnétique (401) jusqu'à
chacun parmi ladite personne (301) ou ledit animal domestique (302), pour produire
un signal résultant ayant une première amplitude sensiblement constante quand ledit
capteur électromagnétique intercepte un rayonnement en provenance de ladite personne
(301) et une deuxième amplitude sensiblement constante quand ledit capteur électromagnétique
intercepte un rayonnement en provenance dudit animal domestique (302),
caractérisé en ce que chacune desdites première et deuxième amplitudes du signal résultant (406) est sensiblement
constante quelle que soit la distance de l'objet détecté depuis le capteur dans les
limites d'une plage opérationnelle de fréquences.
11. Procédé selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que ladite étape consistant à délivrer (605) une sortie comporte l'étape consistant à
envoyer une message à un destinataire prédéfini.
12. Procédé selon la revendication 10 ou la revendication 11,
caractérisé par ailleurs par les étapes consistant à :
recevoir (702) un deuxième signal analogique en provenance d'un deuxième capteur électromagnétique
en même temps que ladite étape consistant à recevoir ledit signal en provenance dudit
capteur électromagnétique ;
identifier (703) une corrélation entre ledit mouvement et une détection d'un objet
mobile dans ledit deuxième signal analogique ; et
délivrer (704) une sortie quand ladite corrélation est identifiée.
13. Procédé selon la revendication 12, caractérisé par ailleurs par l'étape consistant à indiquer une détection d'une personne à une distance
prédéfinie depuis ledit capteur électromagnétique ;
ledit deuxième signal analogique est reçu en provenance d'un deuxième capteur électromagnétique
uniquement lors de ladite étape consistant à indiquer la détection d'une personne
à ladite distance prédéfinie depuis ledit capteur électromagnétique.
14. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 13, caractérisé en ce que ladite étape consistant à délivrer (605), (704) une sortie comporte l'étape consistant
à faire sonner une alarme.
15. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 14, caractérisé en ce que ladite étape consistant à délivrer (605), (704) une sortie comporte l'étape consistant
à envoyer un message à un destinataire prédéfini.