ES2834604T3 - Device and method for a safety sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

A sensor 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); making a determination as to whether a human or pet movement is detected based on a comparison (404) between said resulting signal and a predetermined amplitude threshold (405); and delivering 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 radiation from a person (301) or a domestic animal (302) is intercepted at a frequency that depends on the distance from the object detected from said electromagnetic sensor (401) to each of said person (301) or pet (302), to produce a resulting signal (406) having a substantially constant first 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 domestic animal (302), characterized in that each of said first and second amplitudes of the resulting signal (406) is substantially constant regardless of distance of the object detected from the sensor within an operating frequency range.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Device and method for a safety sensor

Background

Some embodiments of the present invention relate to an electromagnetic sensor, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a motion sensor, for detecting motion in an outdoor environment.

In a typical monitoring and alarm system, one or more sensing devices, for example a passive infrared (PIR) sensing device, are installed in the premises in order to detect moving objects in the premises. In such systems, an electromagnetic sensor of an installed sensing device intercepts electromagnetic radiation from objects moving a certain range of distances from the sensing device. When an electromagnetic sensor intercepts electromagnetic radiation from an object, the electromagnetic sensor is said to detect the object. Moving objects are usually people or vehicles. In some installations, for example, a dwelling such as a house, pets and other animals can move in the vicinity of the sensing device, causing the sensing device to detect moving pets and other animals.

In a typical monitoring and alarm system, an installed sensing device triggers an action after 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, it may be necessary to differentiate between detecting a person and detecting a domestic animal. US 5,444,432 A describes a system and method for evaluating detection signals at different signal levels.

Summary

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.

The above and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Other forms of implementation are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the figures. Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are also described herein.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a sensor 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 interception area electromagnetic radiation; making a determination of whether a human or pet movement is detected based on a comparison between the resulting signal and a predetermined amplitude threshold; and deliver a result indicative of the determination; wherein a transfer function is applied to the analog signal received from the electromagnetic sensor when radiation from a person or a domestic animal is intercepted at a frequency that depends on the distance of the detected object from the electromagnetic sensor to each person or domestic animal, to produce a resulting signal having a substantially constant first amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from a person and a second substantially constant amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from a domestic animal, characterized in that each of said first and second Amplitudes of the resulting signal is substantially constant regardless of the distance from the detected object to the sensor.

The signals produced by the electromagnetic sensor are analog electrical signals that have time-varying amplitudes. Transforming the output signal of an electromagnetic sensor to produce a signal that has a substantially constant amplitude allows a simple amplitude comparison to be used to distinguish between the detection of a person by the electromagnetic sensor and the detection of a pet by the sensor. electromagnetic. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for distinguishing between a person and a domestic animal comprises: receiving an analog signal from an electromagnetic sensor to produce a resulting signal that has at least one amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor intercepts the signal. radiation from a detected object in at least one electromagnetic radiation interception area; making a determination of whether a human or pet movement is detected based on a comparison between the resulting signal and a predetermined amplitude threshold; and deliver an indicative output of the determination; wherein a transfer function is applied to the analog signal received from the electromagnetic sensor when radiation from a person or a domestic animal is intercepted at a frequency that depends on the distance of the detected object from the electromagnetic sensor to each person or pet, 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, characterized by that each of said first and second amplitudes of the resulting signal is substantially constant regardless of the distance of the detected object to the sensor.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation of the first aspect, the predefined threshold depends on the air temperature in the vicinity of the sensor device. Using a fixed threshold can produce false results at some temperatures. The use of a suitable threshold for the air temperature in the vicinity of the sensing device increases the precision of the determination.

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 using at least one operational amplifier. Operational amplifiers are common electrical components, making the present invention an inexpensive solution to the problem of distinguishing between sensing a person and sensing a companion animal.

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 op amp is connected to an input of at least one additional op amp to apply the transfer function to the signal analog. Combining the functionality of multiple op-amps allows for greater constancy of the significantly constant amplitude of the resulting signal.

With reference to the first and second aspects, in a first possible implementation of the first and second aspects, the movement of a person is detected when the first substantially constant amplitude exceeds the predetermined amplitude threshold. Typically people weigh more than pets, therefore the resulting signal typically has a substantially constant amplitude significantly greater when a person is detected than when a domestic animal is detected. An electrical circuit for comparing amplitudes is usually cheap to manufacture, improving the economy of the solution offered by the present invention.

With reference to the first and second aspects, in a second possible implementation of the first and second aspects, the movement of a pet is detected when the first substantially constant amplitude is less than the predetermined amplitude threshold.

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 convolving a transfer signal representing a predetermined transfer function with the analog signal. An electrical circuit to convolve two signals is usually cheap to manufacture, improving the economy of the solution offered by the present invention.

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 makes it easy to alert a plurality of people to the determination.

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 you to alert a specific person of the determination.

With reference to the first and second aspects, in a sixth possible implementation of the first and second aspects, the sensor device further comprises a distance sensor adapted to intercept electromagnetic radiation received from objects in a predefined range of distances from the sensor device; and a controller. The controller is adapted to: identify a correlation between movement and the detection of a moving object by the electromagnetic distance sensor; and deliver an output when the correlation is identified. Adding a second electromagnetic sensor to detect a moving object within a predefined range of distances from the electromagnetic sensor makes it easy to detect a person moving at a predefined distance from the sensing device and to ignore pets moving the predefined distance from the sensor. sensor.

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.

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.

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 as 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 after said identification of 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.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become or become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are intended to be included in this description, are within the scope of the present disclosure, and are protected by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, 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 belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may 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 govern. Additionally, the materials, methods, and examples are merely illustrative and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention can be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, the method aspects can be applied to the apparatus aspects, and vice versa. As used herein, the means plus function characteristics may alternatively be expressed in terms of their corresponding structure, such as a suitably programmed processor and associated memory.

Additionally, any, any and / or all of the features in one aspect may be applied to any, any and / or all of the features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspect of the invention may be implemented and / or provided and / or used independently. Brief description of the various views of the drawings

Some embodiments of the invention will be described herein, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the detailed drawings, it is emphasized that the details shown are by way of example and for illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this sense, the description taken with the drawings makes it clear to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention can be practiced.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the range in which a sensor intercepts radiation from a person and a domestic animal;

Figure 2A is a schematic graph depicting an amplitude emitted by a sensor in response to a frequency of intercepted energy from a detected object, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2B is a schematic graph depicting a target amplitude emitted by a sensor in response to a frequency of intercepted energy from a detected object, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative sensor device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a sequence diagram of an optional flow of operations, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an illustrative sensor device comprising two sensors, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative sensor device having two sensors, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a sequence diagram of another optional flow of operations, according to some embodiments of the present invention having a sensor device with two sensors;

Figure 8A is a schematic illustration of an illustrative lens array, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 8B is a schematic top view illustration of a single lens of an illustrative lens array; wherein the lens is a Fresnel lens, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 8C is a schematic illustration of the cross section of the lens shown in Figure 8B, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of the detection areas of a sensor, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Figures 10A and 10B are graphs depicting the captured amplitude emitted by a sensor when it detects objects moving in front of the sensor, in tests performed in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; Y

Figure 11 are three schematic graphs representing possible signal gain in response to a frequency, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed description

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 domestic animal or other animal.

Some embodiments of the present invention relate to an electromagnetic sensor, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a motion sensor, for detecting motion in an outdoor environment.

A typical electromagnetic sensor comprises at least one sensing surface, for intercepting electromagnetic radiation energy such as visible light, thermal infrared energy or naturally emitted microwave energy. In some embodiments, the detection surface is a detection panel that has a plurality of different electromagnetic radiation interception areas. Such a sensor typically generates an electrical signal that has a variable 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 emits a signal that has an amplitude and frequency that reflect the amount of radiation intercepted by the sensor and the frequency at which the radiation is intercepted by the sensor.

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 intercept sectors arranged in a plurality of parallel rows. Additionally, the field of view is typically an angle, that is, the field of view of the sector at a certain distance from the sensor is greater than the field of view closer to the sensor than the determined distance. Thus, an object moving at a certain distance from the sensor has a certain angular velocity greater than the angular velocity of the object moving at a certain speed at a distance from the sensor that is greater than the certain distance.

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 through the sensor's field of view causes the sensor to generate an output signal that has a variable amplitude and a frequency that reflects the angular velocity of the object. As a result, the sensor intercepts radiation from an object moving 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 a certain distance. Thus, when an object, for example a person, approaches the sensor, the closer the object is to the sensor, the greater the amplitude and the higher the frequency of the signal emitted by the sensor. For example, an infrared sensor, sensitive to changes in temperature caused by the movement of objects, emits a signal with an amplitude and frequency that depend on the distance from the object to the sensor, increasing both the amplitude and the frequency as the object moves closer to the sensor and decreases as the object moves away from the sensor.

Additionally, 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.

A problem addressed by the present invention is the need to differentiate between people and domestic animals, for example dogs and cats, or other animals, for example raccoons, approaching an area, for example an entrance. to a house. For example, it may be necessary to take an action, such as sounding an alarm or activating a camera, when a person is detected approaching a house entrance, but no action may be necessary when a cat is detected approaching. at the entrance.

A typical motion sensor, adapted to detect any movement in a certain proximity to the entrance, does not differentiate between people and pets. In a typical sensor, the amplitude and frequency of the output signal when radiation from a person is intercepted at a certain distance from the sensor is similar to another amplitude and frequency of the output signal when radiation from a pet is intercepted. 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 emitted by the sensor to produce a resulting signal that has, in a certain frequency range, a substantially constant first amplitude. when the sensor intercepts energy from a person and a second substantially constant amplitude when the sensor intercepts energy from a domestic animal. For example, in a predefined range, such as between 0.2 Hertz and 6 Hertz, the difference between a higher amplitude and a lower amplitude of the resulting signal can be no more than 30% of the highest amplitude of the resulting signal. in the predefined interval. In such embodiments, the resulting signal has a relationship between the lowest amplitude of the resulting signal and the amplitude of the resulting signal that is maintained when detecting people and pets.

In such embodiments, the 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 people, regardless of distances. and speeds of people and pets. For example, the amplitude of the resulting signal when a pet weighing 30 kilograms is detected is approximately one third of the amplitude of the resulting signal when a person weighing around 85 kilograms is detected. In some embodiments, the resulting signal is compared to a predefined threshold amplitude. The result of the comparison is used in these embodiments to differentiate between the detection of a person and the 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 can be set at 1.3 volts.

In these embodiments, it is possible to differentiate between the detection of a person and the detection of a pet using only analog signal processing, 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.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components and / or methods set forth in the following description and / or illustrated in drawings and / or examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to illustrations of flow charts and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and / or devices according to embodiments of the invention. The flow diagram and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and / or devices in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In this sense, each block in the flowcharts or in the block diagrams can represent a module, segment or part of instructions, comprising one or more executable instructions to implement the specified logic functions. In some alternative implementations, the functions observed in the block may occur out of the order observed in the figures. For example, two blocks displayed in succession may, in fact, run at substantially the same time, or the blocks may sometimes run in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block in the block diagrams and / or the flowchart illustration, and the combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or the flowchart illustration, can be implemented by purpose-built hardware-based systems. that perform specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

To understand the present invention, the source of a problem that the present invention solves in some of its embodiments is first understood.

Reference is now made to Figure 1, which shows a schematic illustration of the range where a sensor intercepts radiation from a person and a domestic animal, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, a sensor 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 on top of the other, resulting in the detection areas being arranged in multiple areas, one area on top of the other. When an object moves in front of the sensing device, the object can cover, totally or partially, one or more of the areas of detection. 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 of two different rows. Thus, some of the plurality of sectors intercept the radiation of the person from one or more of the detection areas simultaneously, so that some of the plurality of sectors intercept a certain amount of energy and the output signal of the at least one sensor it has a certain breadth. A domestic animal 302, for example a dog, may be present in only one detection area at a time; however, by approaching the sensing device, the pet can cover a large portion of the detection area from which the at least one sensor intercepts the pet's radiation. In some embodiments of the present invention, when the pet covers much of the detection area, the output signal from the at least one sensor has substantially the same amplitude when the pet is detected as when the person is detected. In such embodiments, the amplitude of the output signal from the at least one sensor is substantially the same when a remote person and a nearby pet are detected, therefore, an amplitude of the output signal from the at least one sensor cannot be detected. use to distinguish between a person and a pet. However, the amplitude comparison is simple to implement. The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, applies a transfer function to the sensor output signal to create a signal that has a significantly constant amplitude that can be used to differentiate between the detection of a person and the detection of a person. domestic animal.

To understand how the present invention works, let's look at a typical sensor output signal.

When a sensor detects an object at a certain distance from the sensor, for example 6 meters, the sensor 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 output signal of the sensor has another frequency lower than the certain frequency, for example 0.1-0.3 Hertz.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2A, which shows a schematic graph depicting an amplitude output by a sensor in response to a frequency of intercepted energy from a detected object, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The X-axis 108 represents the frequency of the signal emitted by the sensor, starting at zero (no signal output) and increasing. The Y axis 107 represents the amplitude of the signal emitted by the sensor. Graph 109 represents a typical relationship between the amplitude of the signal emitted by the sensor, in response to the frequency of the output signal. In such embodiments, frequencies below a point 114 and above a point 115 are considered noise and the amplitude of these frequencies is not considered when differentiating between movement of people and movement of domestic animals. For example, the point 114 can represent 0.2 Hertz, which in turn can correspond to the intercepted energy of an object at a distance of 12 meters from the sensor. Point 115 can represent 6 Hertz, which in turn can correspond to the intercepted energy of an object at a distance of 4 meters from the sensor. The graph indicates that between 114 and 115, the amplitude of the output signal increases as the frequency increases, reflecting that the amplitude of the output signal increases as the object is closer to the sensor. An output signal generated by the sensor in response to the detection of a human and an output signal generated by the sensor in response to the detection of a pet are typically both shaped in the same way as graph 109. Typically, a sensor electrically amplifies the raw sensor output signal to produce the sensor output signal. However, the maximum amplitude of the sensor output signal generated by the sensor in response to detection of a human is typically greater, for example 2.4 volts after gain, than the maximum amplitude of the output signal from the sensor. sensor generated by the sensor in response to detection of a pet, for example 0.8 volts after gain. Furthermore, at a given frequency (representing a distance from the sensor), the amplitude of the sensor output signal generated by the sensor in response to detection of a human is typically greater than the amplitude of the output signal from the sensor. sensor generated by the sensor in response to detecting a pet at the same given frequency. Typically, an amplitude when a person is detected is 3 times another amplitude when a domestic animal is detected. The present invention uses this similarity in the shape of the output signal, but difference in the amplitudes related to the same frequency to create an amplitude comparison to differentiate between the detection of a human and the detection of a domestic animal by applying a function of transfer to the output signal to produce a resulting signal that can be used in amplitude comparison.

A target output signal has a first amplitude when detecting a person at any distance, and a second amplitude, less than the first amplitude, when detecting a domestic animal at any distance. In embodiments that have a sensor that produces such a target signal, comparing the amplitude of the output signal with an amplitude threshold can be used to differentiate between detecting a person, when the amplitude of the output signal exceeds the amplitude threshold, and detecting a domestic animal, when the amplitude of the output signal is less than the amplitude threshold.

Reference is now made to Figure 2B, which shows a schematic graph depicting a target amplitude output by a sensor in response to a frequency of intercepted energy from a detected object, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The X-axis 105 represents the frequency of the signal emitted by the sensor, starting at zero (no signal output) and increasing. The Y axis 104 represents the amplitude of the signal emitted by the sensor. Graph 106 represents the target amplitude of the sensor output signal, in response to distance. Between a certain frequency 112 and another certain frequency 113, the output signal has a certain amplitude substantially constant target regardless of the distance from the object to the sensor. Above the other frequency 113, the amplitude of the output signal drops to zero because these frequencies are considered noise and do not represent a detected object. In such ideal embodiments, the values of a first plurality of target amplitudes of the sensor output signal when a plurality of people are detected are significantly similar. Additionally, the values of a second plurality of target amplitudes of the sensor 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 output signal has a shape similar to that of graph 106, to identify an object such as a person or a pet based on the amplitude of the target signal emitted by the sensor when it intercepts. radiation from the object.

One possible way to achieve a transformed signal having a shape similar to the shape of the target output signal 106 is to convolve an output signal from the sensor with a transfer signal. In some embodiments of the present invention, an analog signal processor convolves the sensor output signal with a transfer signal, representing a transfer function, to produce a resulting signal that has 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 it detects objects at a distance greater than 7 or 8 meters from the sensor, a possible transfer function increases gain at frequencies between 0.2 hertz and 0.6 hertz by approximately 20 decibels, increases gain at frequencies between 6 hertz and 10 hertz by approximately 8 decibels, and decreases gain at frequencies above 10 hertz. The transfer function reflects the amplitudes relative to frequency of the output signal in the substantially constant amplitude of the resulting signal. An output signal that has amplitudes relative to frequency relatively higher than other amplitudes relative to the frequency of another output signal, results in a resulting signal that has a substantially constant amplitude greater than another substantially constant amplitude of another signal. resulting from the other output signal.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which shows a schematic block diagram of an illustrative sensor 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 that has an amplitude and frequency that reflect an amount of radiation intercepted by the sensor from the sensor's environment and from the 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, to generate a transfer function. The analog signal processor may comprise an electrical component 402, such as electrical circuitry, to apply the transfer function to a signal received from the sensor. In such embodiments, the application of the transfer function to the signal received from the sensor produces a resulting signal 406 that has 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 circuitry, for comparing the resulting signal to an amplitude threshold 405. In some embodiments, when the amplitude of the resulting signal is greater than the amplitude threshold, the analog signal processor determines that a person is detected. Optionally, when the amplitude of the resulting signal 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.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the amplitude threshold is dependent on the temperature of the sensor environment. In such embodiments, the analog signal processor has an amplitude threshold that is used when the ambient temperature has a value approximately equal to the temperature of a human body, and another amplitude threshold that is used when the ambient temperature has a lower value. or higher than the temperature of a human body. For example, when the room temperature has a value between 30 degrees Celsius and 38 degrees Celsius, the amplitude threshold can be 1.3 volts and when the temperature has a value of 25 degrees Celsius or 40 degrees Celsius, the amplitude threshold it can be 1.4 volts. In some embodiments, the sensor device comprises a hardware processor. In embodiments that comprise a hardware processor, thermal compensation can be implemented in software run by the hardware processor.

In some embodiments, the analog signal processor comprises at least one operational amplifier to apply at least part of the transfer function to the sensor output signal. In some embodiments that comprise 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 operational amplifier to apply the transfer function to the output signal of the sensor.

In some embodiments, indicating the determination comprises delivering an electrical current to an output of the analog signal processor. Optionally, electrical current is delivered to the analog signal processor output only when a person is detected. In some embodiments, indicating the determination comprises sounding an alarm. Optionally, the alarm sounds only when a person is detected. In other embodiments, indicating the determination comprises sending a message to a predefined recipient. The Sensor device may be electrically connected to a hardware processor adapted to send a message using a data network, for example a fidelity wireless network (WiFi) or a global system for mobile communications (GSM). Optionally, the message is sent only when a person is detected.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, showing a sequence diagram of an optional flow of operations 600, in accordance with 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 that has a substantially constant amplitude. The transfer function can be an inverse Gaussian function. In some embodiments, the substantially constant amplitude of the resulting signal is greater when the sensor detects the movement of a person than when the sensor detects the movement of a pet. In such embodiments, the analog signal processor compares 603 the resulting signal with an amplitude threshold, and based on the comparison determines 604 whether human movement or pet movement was detected. In some embodiments, the movement of a person is detected when the amplitude of the resulting signal is greater than the amplitude threshold. Pet movement can be detected when the amplitude of the resulting signal is less than the amplitude threshold. In some embodiments, the analog signal processor sends 605 an indication of the determination. Indication can be, but is not limited to, triggering 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 to drive an electrical current into an output of the analog signal processor connected to the other electrical component.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, showing a schematic illustration of an illustrative sensor device 200 comprising two sensors, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In such embodiments, the sensor device comprises two sensors: an upper sensor 204 and a lower sensor 208. Reference is now made to Figure 6, showing a schematic block diagram of an illustrative sensor device 500 having two sensors, according to with some embodiments of the present invention. Optionally, sensor 401 is an upper sensor on a vertical axis of the sensor device, electrically connected to the analog signal processor to differentiate between detection of a person and detection of a pet. The sensor device may comprise a lower sensor 501 on the vertical axis of the sensor device, electrically connected to a controller 502, so that the output signal 503 from the lower sensor is delivered to the controller. Additionally, in such embodiments, the indication 407 from the analog signal processor is delivered to the controller. Optionally, the lower sensor is adapted to detect moving objects from a certain range of distances from the sensor device. In some embodiments, the controller is adapted to deliver current to an output 504 of the controller when the analog signal processor indicates that a person is detected at the same time that the lower sensor detects an object within a certain range of distances from the sensing device. The lower sensor can detect a person or a pet, but cannot differentiate between a person and a pet. In such embodiments, the controller outputs current only when the lower part detects any object and the analog signal processor indicates that the upper sensor detects a person. Optionally, the analog signal processor delivers current to the controller only when the upper sensor detects a person.

In some embodiments, the output of the controller 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 a hardware processor adapted to send a message using a data network, for example, a Wi-Fi 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 at the output.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, showing a sequence diagram of another optional flow of operations 700, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention having a sensor 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 at 702 the controller receives an output signal from a second sensor. In such embodiments, the controller identifies 703 a correlation between the second sensor that detects the movement of an object and the analog signal processor that indicates the detection of a person. In some embodiments, the controller generates an indication of the correlation. The indication can be, but is not limited to, conducting current into a controller output, 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 that move within a certain range of distances from the sensor. In such embodiments, the controller issues the indication of the correlation only when a person moves a certain range of distances from the sensor.

In some embodiments, the sensor device further comprises a lens located in front of the sensor. Optionally, the lens is a lens array, eg, a multi-frame Fresnel lens sheet, having multiple frames with different optical characteristics and where the multiple frames are arranged in multiple parallel rows. Different optical characteristics can be to detect objects at different distances from the sensor.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8A, which shows a schematic illustration of an illustrative lens array, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, the frames are arranged in multiple parallel rows, one row above the other.

In these embodiments, each frame can be processed like a Fresnel lens, using cutting or processing techniques as known in the art.

Reference is now made to Figures 8B and 8C which show schematic illustrations of a single frame of an illustrative lens array, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 8B shows a schematic illustration of a single frame flattened top view of an illustrative lens array where the frame is a Fresnel lens, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 8C shows a schematic illustration of a vertical cross section of the same single frame, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Examples

Reference is now made to the following examples which, together with the above descriptions, illustrate the invention in a non-limiting manner.

The following examples demonstrate the signal amplitude of a sensor's output signal when an object moving horizontally parallel to a vertical surface perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the sensor is detected. Reference is now made to Figure 9, showing a schematic illustration of detection areas or zones, of a sensor, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In such embodiments, a sensor is located at 901 on an imaginary axis 908. A path 903 from right to left at a constant distance 902 from the sensor is arc-shaped. Axis 908 represents a plane perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the sensor. A first right-to-left path 906 parallel to the plane at a distance 904 from the plane has a variable distance from the sensor. 909 is an example of a distance of the first path from the sensor greater than the distance 904. Also a second path 906 from right to left parallel to the plane at a distance of 905, greater than the distance 904, has a variable distance from the sensor . 910 is an example of a second path distance from the sensor greater than distance 905.

Reference is now made to Figures 10A and 10B, showing graphs depicting the amplitude output captured by a sensor upon detecting objects moving in front of the sensor, in tests performed in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In these tests, the objects move in horizontal paths parallel to a vertical surface perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the sensor.

Figure 10A shows a graph representing the amplitude output of the sample by the sensor when it detects 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. The Y-axis 802 is the amplitude of the sensor output signal in volts. Graph 803 shows the amplitude of the sensor output signal related to time. As the person proceeds down the first path, the person initially moves closer to the sensor, thus increasing the amplitude and frequency of the graph. The person then moves away from the sensor and the amplitude and frequency of the graph decrease.

Figure 10B shows a graph representing the amplitude output of the sample by the sensor when it detects 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. The Y-axis 805 is the amplitude of the sensor output signal in volts. Graph 806 shows the amplitude of the sensor output signal related to time. As the person moves down the second path, the person initially moves closer to the sensor, thus increasing the amplitude and frequency of the graph. The person then moves away from the sensor and the amplitude and frequency of the graph decrease.

Graphs 803 and 806 are similar in shape, but differ in amplitude and frequency values. In graph 803, which represents captured amplitudes of motion at a distance of 8 meters, the amplitude values do not exceed 1.824 volts. In graph 806, which represents captured amplitudes of motion at a distance closer than 3 meters, the maximum amplitudes are as high as 2,069 volts. These graphs demonstrate how the amplitude of the sensor output signal is affected by the distance from the object to the sensor.

Reference is now made to Figure 11, showing three schematic graphs depicting possible signal gain in response to a frequency, in accordance with 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. The X-axis 1001 is a logarithmic representation of the frequency in Hertz. The Y-axis 1002 is a gain in decibels / decade. Graph 1005 shows the possible output signal from a sensor, where between frequency 1007 (representing approximately 0.2 Hertz) and frequency 1008 (representing approximately 6 Hertz), the graph is in the form of half a function Gaussian distribution.

Graph 1004 shows a possible transfer function, where the transfer function increases the gain for frequencies above 0.0100 hertz and below 10000 hertz. For frequencies significantly below 0.0100 Hertz and significantly above 10,000 Hertz, the transfer function decreases the gain.

A Bode plot that has zeros and poles, showing the gain of the transfer function related to frequency, demonstrates one form of the transfer function. In this example, a first zero indicates an increase in gain of 20 decibels / decade from 0.01 hertz, a first pole indicates no change in gain from 0.2 hertz, a second pole decreases the gain by 20 decibels / decade from 0.4 hertz, a second zero indicates no change in gain from 6 hertz and a third pole indicates a decrease in gain of 20 decibels / decade from 12 hertz . This set of zeros and poles results in a graph similar to graph 1004.

Graph 1003 shows a possible resultant function after convolving 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 .

In other examples, a sensor device is provided, 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 substantially constant first amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from one person and a second substantially constant amplitude when the electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from a pet; determining according to a comparison between the resulting signal and a predetermined amplitude threshold whether a movement of a person or a domestic animal is detected; and deliver an indicative output of the determination.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for illustrative purposes, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to better explain the principles of embodiments, practical application, or technical improvement over technologies found on the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed in the document. present document.

It is expected that many electromagnetic sensors will be developed during the term of a patent maturing from this application and the scope of the term "sensor" is intended to include a priori all these new technologies.

As used herein, the term "about" refers to ± 10%.

The terms "comprises", "comprising (n)", "includes", "including (n)", "having" and their conjugated forms mean "including, but not limited to". This term encompasses the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of".

The term "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.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" can include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

The word "illustrative" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, case, or illustration." Any embodiment described as "illustrative" should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and / or exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

The word "optionally" is used herein to mean "is provided in some embodiments and is not provided in other embodiments." Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of "optional" features unless those features conflict.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a slot format. It should be understood that the description in interval format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be considered that the description of an interval has specifically disclosed all possible subranges, as well as the individual numerical values within that interval. For example, it should be considered that the description of an interval as 1 to 6 has specifically disclosed subintervals such as 1 to 3, 1 to 4, 1 to 5, 2 to 4, 2 to 6, 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual numbers within that interval, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the width of the interval.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is intended to include any quoted number (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The expressions "varying (n) between" a first indication number and a second indication number and "varying (n) from" a first indication number "to" a second identification number are used herein. interchangeably and is intended to include the first and second numbers indicated and all fractional and integral numbers in between.

Reference numbers appearing in the claims are for illustration only and will not have any limiting effect on the scope of the claims.

Claims (15)

1. A sensor 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); making a determination as to whether a human or pet movement is detected based on a comparison (404) between said resulting signal and a predetermined amplitude threshold (405); and delivering 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 radiation from a person (301) or a domestic animal (302) is intercepted at a frequency that depends on the distance from the object detected from said electromagnetic sensor (401) to each of said person (301) or pet (302), to produce a resulting signal (406) having a substantially constant first 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 (302), characterized in that each of said first and second amplitudes of the resulting signal (406) is substantially constant regardless of the distance of the detected object from the sensor within an operating range of frequencies. 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). 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). The sensor device of any preceding claim, characterized in that said analog signal processor (408) applies said transfer function (403) to said analog signal by convolving a transfer signal representing a predetermined transfer function with said analog signal. 5. The sensor 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 sensor device; Y a controller (502) adapted to: identifying a correlation between said movement of a person or a domestic animal and a detection of a moving object by said electromagnetic distance sensor; Y deliver an output (504) when such a correlation is identified. The sensor device of any preceding claim, characterized in that said predefined threshold (405) depends on the air temperature in the vicinity of said sensor device (300). The sensor 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 using at least one operational amplifier. The sensor 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 to apply said transfer function to said analog signal. The sensor 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 higher amplitude and a lower amplitude of the resulting signal of no more than 30% of the highest amplitude of the resulting signal in the predefined frequency range. 10. A method of distinguishing between a person and a domestic animal, comprising: receiving (601) an analog signal from an electromagnetic sensor to produce a resulting signal (406) that has at least one amplitude when said electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from a detected object at al least one electromagnetic radiation interception area (303); making (604) a determination of whether a human or pet movement is detected based on a comparison (603) between said resulting signal (406) and a predetermined amplitude threshold; delivering (605) an output indicative of said determination; Y apply (602) a transfer function to the analog signal received from said electromagnetic sensor when radiation from a person (301) or a domestic animal (302) is intercepted at a frequency that depends on the distance of the detected object from said electromagnetic sensor (401) to each of said person (301) or domestic animal (302), to produce a resulting signal having a substantially constant first amplitude when said electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from said person (301), and a second amplitude substantially constant when said electromagnetic sensor intercepts radiation from said pet (302), characterized in that each of said first and second amplitudes of the resulting signal (406) is substantially constant regardless of the distance of the detected object from the sensor within an operating range of frequencies. The method of claim 10, characterized in that said delivery (605) of an output comprises sending a message to a predefined recipient. 12. The method of claim 10 or 11, further characterized by: receiving (702) a second analog signal from a second electromagnetic sensor at the same time as 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; Y delivering (704) an output when such a correlation is identified. The method of claim 12, further characterized by indicating the detection of a person at a predefined distance from said electromagnetic sensor; said second analog signal is received from a second electromagnetic sensor only after said detection indicating a person at said predefined distance from said electromagnetic sensor. The method of any of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that said delivering (605), (704) of an output comprises sounding an alarm. The method of any of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that said delivery (605), (704) of an output comprises sending a message to a predefined recipient.