Method and system for enclosure entry status detection

Abstract

A system for determining the status of an enclosure's closure, includes a photodetector, installed on an inside part of the enclosure, to sense light intensity inside the enclosure, and a computer processor configured to compute a status of the closure according to the light intensity. A method for determining the status of an enclosure's closure includes sensing a light intensity inside the enclosure and computing the status of the closure according to the light intensity.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENCLOSURE ENTRY STATUS DETECTIONFIELD

[0001] The invention relates to closure position sensing in general, and more specifically to closure position sensing using optical means.BACKGROUND

[0002] Knowing whether a door is open or closed is crucial for maintaining security, safety, and operational efficiency. For example, it allows monitoring access to restricted areas, ensures doors are closed when necessary, and enhances smart home automation scenarios such as turning off lights or sending alerts if a door is left open. Additionally, it supports energy efficiency by managing heating and cooling systems based on the door's status. These applications help optimize functionality in various settings, from homes to industrial environments.

[0003] Common devices used for detecting door status (whether it is open or closed) typically include mechanical switches, infrared sensors, contact sensors or magnetic sensors. However, installing such devices on a container door can be challenging and cumbersome. The heavy duty usage over a container's 18-20 year lifespan can cause the doors to become distorted, potentially affecting the functionality and accuracy of these monitoring devices.SUMMARY

[0004] There is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention a system for determining the status of an enclosure’s closure. The system includes a photodetector installed on an inside part of the enclosure to sense light intensity, and a computer processor configured to compute a status of the closure according to the light intensity.

[0005] Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the computer processor is further configured to set the status of the closure to ‘open’ if the light intensity exceeds an open threshold and to set the status of the closure to ‘closed’ if the light intensity is below a closed threshold.

[0006] Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the computer processor is further configured to check the previous status of the closure and if the previousstatus is ‘open’ and the light intensity is below the close threshold, to evaluate the rate of change in light intensity and change the status of the closure to ‘close’ if the change in light intensity is rapid.

[0007] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the system further includes a battery to provide power to the computer processor and a solar panel installed on the outer side of the enclosure to charge the battery.

[0008] Still further, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the system further includes a light projector installed on the closure to emit and project light to a target area, and the computer processor is further configured to instruct the light projector to emit and project the light.

[0009] Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the computer processor is configured to change the status of the closure from ‘closed’ to ‘open’ if the light intensity is below a first threshold and to change the status of the door from ‘open’ to ‘close’ if the light intensity exceeds a second threshold.

[0010] Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the system further includes a GPS to determine the location of the enclosure and an accelerometer to detect motion of the enclosure and wherein the computer processor is configured to instruct the light projector to emit and project light when the location of the enclosure appears in a preconfigured list of locations and when the enclosure is stationary.

[0011] Further, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the system further includes a secondary photodetector, installed on an inside part of the closure, to sense an additional light intensity and wherein the computer processor is configured to determine that the system behavior is abnormal when the light intensity and the additional light intensity differ or when the additional light intensity exceeds a preconfigured threshold and the status of the door is ‘closed’ .

[0012] Still further, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the system further includes a passive light reflector installed on an inside part of a wall of the enclosure at a location aligned with the target area to increase the reflected light.

[0013] Still further, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the light projector is configured to emit modulated light, the photodetector is configured to demodulate thesensed light, and the computer processor is configured to compare the demodulated sensed light with the modulated emitted light and determine the status of the closure if the demodulated light corresponds to the modulated emitted light.

[0014] Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the system further includes a distance measuring module configured to measure a distance to a reflection area, wherein the distance measuring module is installed on the inside part of the closure, adjacent to the photodetector, and the computer processor is configured to determine the current status of the closure if the distance to the reflection area corresponds to a configured distance to the target area.

[0015] There is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for determining the status of an enclosure’s closure. The method includes sensing a light intensity inside the enclosure and computing a status of the closure according to the light intensity.

[0016] Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the computing step further includes setting the status of the closure to ‘open’ if the light intensity exceeds an open threshold and setting the status of the closure to ‘closed’ if the light intensity is below a closed threshold.

[0017] Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the method further includes checking the previous status of the closure and if the previous status is ‘open’ and the light intensity is below the close threshold, evaluating the rate of change in light intensity and changing the status of the closure to close if the change in light intensity is rapid.

[0018] Further, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the method further includes emitting and projecting light to a target area inside the enclosure.

[0019] Still further, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the method further includes determining the location of the enclosure, detecting motion of the enclosure and performing the step of emitting and projecting the light to a target area when the location of the enclosure appears in a preconfigured list of locations or when the enclosure is not in motion.

[0020] Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the method further includes sensing a secondary light intensity inside the enclosure by a secondary sensor anddetermining an abnormal behavior when the light intensity and the additional light intensity differ or when the additional light intensity exceeds a preconfigured threshold, and the status of the door is ‘closed’ .

[0021] Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the method further includes increasing the reflected light intensity by installing a passive light reflector on an inside part of a wall of the enclosure at a location aligned with the target area.

[0022] Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the method further includes modulating and projecting the modulated light, demodulating the sensed light, comparing the demodulated sensed light with the modulated emitted light, and performing the step of computing the status of the closure when the demodulated received light corresponds to the modulated emitted light.

[0023] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the method further includes measuring a distance to a reflection area and performing the step of computing a status of the closure if the distance to the reflection area corresponds to a configured distance to the target area.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention will now be described in relation to certain examples and embodiments with reference to the following illustrative drawing figures so that it may be more fully understood. In the drawings:Fig. 1 A and Fig. IB are schematic illustrations of an enclosure having a portal that can be open or closed by a closure, and an optical status detection device (OSD) installed on the inner side of the closure;Figs. 1C and ID are schematic illustrations of a container and a door as examples of the enclosure;Fig. IE and Fig. IF are schematic illustrations of a container rendered transparent to reveal OSD and light beams within it when using artificial light for detecting the status of the door;Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an OSD, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a door status detection flow implemented by the OSD configured to determine the status of the door based on the presence of artificial light, according to an embodiment of the invention;Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a flowchart of an extended door status detection flow implementing additional steps related to the modulation and demodulation of the artificial light, according to an embodiment of the invention;Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of an improved OSD having a distance measuring module according to an embodiment of the invention;Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of an enhanced OSD having a secondary photodetector according to an embodiment of the invention;Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of an accessory module installed along with the OSD according to an embodiment of the invention; andFig. 8 is a schematic illustration of a door status detection flow implemented by the OSD configured to determine the status of the door based on the presence of visible light, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate the same or analogous elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In the following description, various aspects of the invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without the specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the invention.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for detecting the status of the closure controlling the enclosure’s entry, especially useful when installed on a barrier prone to distortion barrier, such as a door of a container.

[0028] Fig. 1 A, to which reference is now made, is a schematic illustration of an enclosure 1 having a portal that can be closed by a closure 2. Not visible, on the inner side of enclosure 1 there is a device that may be communicating with an application 5 over a communications network 6.

[0029] Fig. IB, to which reference is now made, is a schematic illustration of enclosure 1 with its closure 2 opened, revealing a portal 3 and an optical status detection (OSD) device 100 installed on the inner side of closure 2 to detect its open and closed status. OSD 100 may be communicating with application 5 over communications network 6.

[0030] Communications network 6 may be any conventional means by which communications may be carried out, such as by a computer network like the Internet.

[0031] Application 5 may refer to a system designed to perform specific tasks or functions with the capability to communicate over communications network 6. Application 5 may be implemented using any computer hardware, software, or a combination of both in accordance with conventional techniques. It is important to note that enclosure 1 may refer to a container, room, closet, safe or similar structures, and closure 2 may refer to a door, gate, window, trapdoor, hatch, or equivalent items.

[0032] Figs. 1C and ID, to which reference is now made, are schematic illustrations of a container 10 (as an example of enclosure 1) and a door 20 with OSD 100 installed on its inner part, shown in an open and closed position respectively (as an example of closure 2). For simplicity, container 10 and door 20 will be used throughout this document for illustrating the functionality of OSD 100, however, the functionality of OSD 100 applies similarly to all types of enclosures and closures.

[0033] OSD 100, installed on the inner side of door 20, may detect the status of door 20 and send the detected status to application 5. A configuration may control the method by which OSD 100 detects the status of door 20.

[0034] In one embodiment, OSD 100 emit and project light toward a wall of container 10 (that may be perpendicular to door 20 e.g., the container ceiling) and measure the reflectedlight. In this configuration, when door 20 is closed, the projected light may be reflected and detected by OSD 100 (that may set the status to “door is closed”). When door 20 is open, the projected light may not be reflected and detected by OSD 100 (that may set the status to “door is open”).

[0035] In a second embodiment OSD 100 may use ambient light (the presence of daylight) to determine the status of door 20 instead of emitting and projecting artificial light. In these cases, the presence of visible light indicates the door is open (unlike the case of artificial like where the presence of reflected light indicates that the door is closed).

[0036] The functionality of OSD 100 may be controlled and activated either manually or automatically and various parameters may be configured locally on OSD 100 itself or remotely by application 5. The configurable parameters may include detection methods (using natural ambient light or artificial light), characteristics of the artificial light, various timers, direction of light projection, light intensity evaluation methods, timers to communicate the door status to application 5 and the like.

[0037] Fig. IE and Fig. IF, to which reference is now made, are schematic illustrations of container 10 with door 20 rendered transparent to reveal OSD 100 and light beams (indicated by arrows) within container 10 when using artificial light for detecting the status of door 20. In Fig. IE, door 20 is closed. Light emitted and projected by OSD 100, shown by arrow 30A is reflected by the upper wall of container 10 to OSD 100, as indicated by arrow 30B. In contrast, as illustrated in Fig. IF, door 20 is open, and light emitted and projected by OSD 100, shown by arrow 30A, is not reflected back to OSD 100 as it encounters no reflection surface in its path. It may be noted that the light may be proj ected to any location in container 10 and not only to the container ceiling.

[0038] Fig. 2, to which reference is now made, is a schematic illustration of OSD 100, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. OSD 100 comprises a light projector 210, a photodetector 220, a transceiver 230, and a computer processor 240.

[0039] Light projector 210 may comprise any combination of light emitting components that can emit light in a defined spectrum such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED), Organic LED (OLED), laser diode, infrared light-emitting diode (IR LED) and the like, and optionally anyprojecting facility such as lenses, reflectors and other similar components enabling light projector 210 to project light to a configured target area.

[0040] Photodetector 220 may comprise any combination of sensors capable of detecting the presence of light and / or light intensity and converting it into electrical energy, indicating light intensity, such as photodiodes, phototransistors, light dependent resistors (LDR), solar cells, charge-coupled devices (CCD), complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and the like.

[0041] Transceiver 230 may be any combination of transmitters and receivers capable of communicating with communications devices over a wireless or wireline communication channel. Transceiver 230 may receive from application 5 information including commands, triggers, configuration and the like. Transceiver 230 may send information to application 5 including the door status, the devise status (battery, malfunctioning components etc.) and any other parameters and information computed, sensed, detected and / or set by computer processor 240.

[0042] Computer processor 240 may be any known device capable of performing operations, calculations, and executing instructions. Computer processor 240 may use transceiver 230 to communicate with application 5 over communications network 6.

[0043] Fig. 3, to which reference is now made, illustrates a door status detection flow 300, implemented by computer processor 240 according to an embodiment of the invention. Flow 300 may determine the status of door 20 using artificial light.

[0044] Flow 300 may be initiated either periodically (e.g., every configurable time, such as every 20 seconds) or in response to a trigger. Flow 300 may start at step 330 where computer processor 240 may instruct light projector 210 to emit and project light. In step 340 computer processor 240 may check the status of photodetector 220. If photodetector 220 indicates that the projected light has not been detected, computer processor 240 may move to step 350 and set the status of the door to ‘open’ and if photodetector 220 indicated that the projected light has been detected, computer processor 240 may move to step 360 and set the status of the door to ‘closed’. In step 370, computer processor 240 may update the status of door 20 and then proceed to step 380 which concludes the evaluation.

[0045] The trigger to start the flow may include a single event or a combination of events and states configured in OSD 100 including receiving a request from application 5 or somepre-defined conditions. A condition may be logical (e.g., time elapsed) or physical (e.g., motion initiation). A timer may, for example, be set to raise every configurable amount of time for a specific duration and initiate a door status detection flow. The physical states may include motion detection, location presence, or any other parameter of the environment that may be detected, assessed, and evaluated by a sensor (installed on or in container 10) and communicated to computer processor 240. The change in the physical state may be, for example, initiation of or cessation of motion, an increase or decrease of velocity, a change in geographic location, arriving at a specific location and the like.

[0046] Motion can be detected, for example, by an accelerometer installed on container 10, capable of communicating with computer processor 240. OSD 100 may be configured, for example, to refrain from evaluating the status of door 20 when container 10 is in motion and evaluate the status of door 20 only when container 10 is stationary (not in motion) and the like.

[0047] Location can be detected, for example, by a GPS installed on container 10, capable of communicating with computer processor 240. OSD 100 may be configured, for example, to evaluate the door status when container 10 is positioned in a set of configured approved locations and / or refrain from performing the door status check when container 10 is positioned in a set of configured prohibited locations.

[0048] The update operation in step 370 may include raising an alarm and / or communicating with external entities utilizing transceiver 230 to draw attention of the relevant personnel. Communication may include sending a message to application 5 over any communication channel (including cellular, satellite and the like) or sending a message directly to one or more messaging systems such as SMS / MMS and any other notification means.

[0049] It may be noted that computer processor 240 may communicate the status of door 20 only when the status detected in the flow is different from the last status, i.e., door 20 was closed or opened, and refrain from communicating the status if it did not change. It may also be noted that computer processor 240 may communicate the status of door 20 at configurable times, intervals, locations, physical conditions independently of executing a door status detection flow.

[0050] Various parameters of OSD 100 may be configured to manage and control its functionality. Various periodic timers may be configured to minimize battery consumption.The configuration may include: a time interval between the emission / proj ection events; time interval between detection events; time interval to activate a trigger and the like.

[0051] The configuration may comprise formulas connecting various timers. For example, the configuration of an emission / proj ection periodic timer of light projector 210 may be related to the configuration of a detection periodic timer of photodetector 220 by a formula or a rule. For example, a formula may be created to ensure a complete duty cycle of projection and detection considering the required minimum door opening time. For example, if there is no need to detect that door 20 is opened for a duration lower than 1 second, and light detection can be completed withing 1 millisecond the duty cycle can be 0.1%.

[0052] In another example, a formula may be created to correlate between the timers of light projector 210 and photodetector 220. The formula can be emission / proj ection timer = time required to detect reflected light * detection timer. The enforcement may also be accomplished by one or more rules that enforce that the interval of the detection periodic timer is longer than the interval of emission / proj ection timer.

[0053] In one embodiment, a passive light reflector may be installed at a location aligned with a configured target of light projector 210 (i.e., a wall of container 10). Installing a passive light reflector at the designated target may increase the light intensity detected by photodetector 220 thereby improving door status detection quality and reducing false detection events.

[0054] In one embodiment computer processor 240 may implement a hysteresis mechanism to increase the stability of OSD 100. In this case different thresholds may be configured for changing the status of the door from ‘closed’ to ‘open’ and from ‘open’ to ‘closed’ (e.g. the threshold for setting the door status to ‘open’ may be set to 20 light units while the threshold for setting the door status to close may be set 5). When a hysteresis mechanism is utilized, the functionality of step 340 may include comparing the light intensity detected by photodetector 220 with open and close thresholds and changing the status of door 20 when the light intensity is either above the open threshold or below the close threshold.

[0055] In one embodiment, light projector 210 may emit a modulated light and photodetector 220 may demodulate the received light. In this embodiment, computer processor 240 may compare the demodulated received light with the modulated emitted light. Utilizing modulated light may ensure that the light detected by photodetector 220 is the lightemitted by light projector 210 and not some other light from other sources such as the sun or some artificial lighting.

[0056] Fig. 4, to which reference is now made, illustrates a flowchart of an extended door status detection flow 400, implementing additional steps related to the modulation and demodulation of the light in OSD 100.

[0057] Flow 400 may be initiated either periodically (e.g., every configurable time, such as every 20 seconds) or in response to a trigger similarly to flow 300. Flow 400 may start at step 330 where computer processor 240 may instruct light projector 210 to emit and project modulated light.

[0058] In step 410 (replacing step 330 of flow 300), computer processor 240 may emit and project modulated light. In step 420, computer processor 240 may demodulate the light detected by photodetector 220 in step 340, and in step 430 computer processor 240 may compare the information related to the modulated light emitted by light projector 210 with the information related to the demodulated light detected by photodetector 220. If the information related to the modulated light is like the information related to the demodulated light, computer processor 240 may proceed to step 360 indication that door 20 is closed while if the information differs, 240 may proceed to step 350 indicating that door 20 is open. Flow 400 may proceed similarly to flow 300 progressing to step 370 which may update the status of door 20 and then to step 380 which concludes the evaluation.

[0059] Fig. 5, to which reference is now made, is a schematic illustration of an improved OSD (I-ODS) 500, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. I-OSD 500 comprises all the components of OSD 100 and a distance measuring module 510.

[0060] Distance measuring module 510 may measure the distance between the area from which light is reflected (reflection area) and OSD 100, and computer processor 240 may use this information to determine the source of the light detected by photodetector 220. Distance measuring module 510 may be adjacent to photodetector 220 to measure the distance between the reflection area and photodetector 220.

[0061] If the distance between the reflection area and OSD 100 is similar to the distance between the target area and OSD 100 (previously checked and configured in OSD 100) computer processor 240 may determine that the light detected by photodetector 220 is thelight projected by light projector 210 (and reflected by the target area, e.g., the ceiling of container 10). If the distances are not the same, computer processor 240 may determine that the light detected by photodetector 220 arrives from another source and may send an alert to application 5.

[0062] Distance measuring module 510 may include any distance meter device such as a laser distance meter, an ultrasonic distance sensor and the like.

[0063] Light may be detected by photodetector 220 (when door 20 is closed) and distance measuring module 510 may assist in identifying the source of the reflected light or the reason for its absence. When the door is open, light may still be reflected from an object located at a random distance from OSD 100 in container 10 or from an object located somewhere outside container 10 (e.g., a tree under which container 10 is parked reflecting the light at night). If the distance measured by distance measuring module 510 differs from the distance between OSD 100 and the target area, computer processor 240 may consider this fact when determining the status of door 20.

[0064] When the distance to the reflection area is larger than the distance to the target area, computer processor 240 may determine that door 20 is open regardless of the amount and type of light sensed by photodetector 220. When the distance to reflection area is smaller than the distance to the target area, computer processor 240 may leave the door status unchanged even when photodetector 220 indicates a value that may have changed the status otherwise.

[0065] I-OSD 500 may be configured to verify that the status of door 20 is accurately determined, i.e., that any light detected inside the container by photodetector 220 is indeed coming from door 20 being opened and not coming from another source of light such as a temporary opening in any of the walls of container 10 (such as a hole drilled in any of the walls of container 10). In this case, computer processor 240 may check the distance to the reflection area and determine the status of door 20 based on the distance. If photodetector 220 detected light, and distance measuring module 510 measured a distance that is identical to the distance of target area, computer processor 240 may determine that door 20 is closed and the light is assumed to be sourced from a location other than the door.

[0066] In all cases where the distance to the reflection area does not match the distance to the target area, I-OSD 500 may raise an alert and send it to application 5.

[0067] To enhance the robustness of the system, an additional photodetector may be installed and used by computer processor 240.

[0068] Fig. 6, to which reference is now made, is a schematic illustration of an enhanced OSD 600 (E-OSD), constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. E-OSD 600 comprises OSD 100 connected to a secondary photodetector 620. In this configuration, computer processor 240 may use secondary photodetector 620 to determine the status of door 20 when light projector 210, photodetector 220 or both malfunction. If the light level detected by secondary photodetector 620 exceeds a certain threshold, the door status may be set to ‘open’ and otherwise the status of the door may be set to ‘closed’.

[0069] Secondary photodetector 620 may also be used to detect malfunction of light projector 210, photodetector 220 or both. When the light detected by secondary photodetector 620 exceeds a preconfigured threshold while the status of the door is ‘closed’, computer processor 240 may determine that the device is malfunctioning and may send an alert to application 5.

[0070] In the remainder of this document, we will use the term OSD 100 to refer to all types of optical status detection devices including both I-OSD 500 and E-OSD 600.

[0071] Fig. 7, to which reference is now made, is a schematic illustration of an accessory module 700 installed along with OSD 100 to improve and optimize its functionality while minimizing its power consumption. Accessory module 700 may be installed on the outer side of container 10 while OSD 100 may be installed on the inner side of door 20.

[0072] Accessory module 600 comprises various sensors and devices such as a solar panel 710 to charge the battery of OSD 100, a GPS 720 to determine the location of container 10, an accelerometer 730 to detect any motion of container 10 and a communication module 740 to communicate with OSD 100 and / or application 5.

[0073] Communication module 740 may include any combination of communication technologies such as cellular, LoRa, Bluetooth, BLE, Zigbee and the like.

[0074] When using a communication method that needs an antenna (BLE for example), such antenna may be coupled to OSD 100.

[0075] OSD 100 may be packaged with transparent material to ensure that all its components, including the antenna, are enclosed together. This type of packaging may help in protecting the various parts of OSD 100 from environmental conditions such as humidity and from any other potential damage while refraining from obstructing the communication components. The packaging of the components may also ensure that the antenna is connected to OSD 100 while maintaining the optimal functionality of light projector 210 and photodetector 220 without introducing obstructions.

[0076] When OSD 100 is configured to use daylight to determine the status of door 20 the presence of visible light indicates the door is open (unlike the case of artificial like where the presence of reflected light indicates that the door is closed). In these cases, computer processor 240 may be configured with threshold values for both open and closed status. When the light intensity exceeds the open threshold, it typically indicates that the door is open while light intensity below the closed threshold generally indicates that the door is closed.

[0077] To mitigate changes caused by environmental changes (e.g., sunset) rather than by changing the status of door 20, computer processor 240 may be configured to repeatedly check the status of photodetector 220 at regular, customizable interval over a defined period to detect gradual change in light intensity. A gradual decrease or increase in light intensity may indicate that the alteration in light intensity is likely due to sunset or sunrise rather than by closing or opening door 20 as a door closing or opening events tends to occur rapidly and is followed by constant darkness or constant daylight.

[0078] Fig. 8, to which reference is now made, illustrates a door status detection flow 800 implemented by computer processor 240 configured to determine the status of door 20 based on the presence of visible light, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this case, the presence of visible light indicates the door is open.

[0079] Flow 800 may be initiated either periodically (e.g., every configurable number of hours, such as every 4 hours) or in response to a trigger. Flow 800 may start at step 805 where computer processor 240 may check the status of door 20, to mitigate false detection and continues to step 810 if door 20 is open and to step 850 if door 20 is closed.

[0080] In case door 20 is closed, computer processor 240 may continue to step 850 and compare the light intensity detected by photodetector 220 with a configured open threshold.If the detected light intensity is not above the open threshold, the status of door 20 has not been changed (remained closes) and computer processor 240 may continue to step 890 which concludes the evaluation. If the detected light intensity exceeds the open threshold, the status of door 20 has changed (from closed to open). Computer processor 240 may proceed to step 860, change the status of door 20 to open, send an update and move to step 890 which concludes the evaluation.

[0081] In case door 20 is open, computer processor 240 may continue to step 810 and compare the light intensity detected by photodetector 220 with a configured closed threshold. If the detected light intensity is not below the close threshold, the status of door 20 has not been changed (remained open) and computer processor 240 may continue to step 890 which concludes the evaluation.

[0082] If the detected light intensity is below the close threshold, it may imply either that the door was closed or that the sunset is in progress. To determine which of the two options occurred, computer processor 240 may continue to step 815 to check whether the change from light to darkness happened rapidly implying the door was closed or happened slowly implying a sunset. If the light decreased rapidly computer processor 240 may proceed to step 820, change the status of door 20 to close, send an update and move to step 890 which concludes the evaluation.

[0083] If the light intensity has not decreased rapidly, there is a discrepancy between the level of light intensity and the status of the door, i.e., door 20 may be open while the light intensity at night, as detected by photodetector 220, is lower than the configured closed threshold. In this case, computer processor 240 may move to step 825 and set a timer for the duration of the night.

[0084] Every configurable time, computer processor 240 may check if the timer is still on, and if it is not, proceed to step 820, change the status of the door to close (light intensity is still low in the day), send an update to application 5 and move to step 890 which concludes the evaluation. If the timer is still on computer processor 240 may proceed to step 835 and compare the light intensity detected by photodetector 220 with the configured open threshold. If the light intensity exceeds the open threshold, computer processor 240 may move to step 840, indicating door 20 remained open overnight. Since the status of door 20 has not changed, computer processor 240 may move to step 890 which concludes the evaluation.

[0085] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many variations, modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0086] It may be appreciated that the steps shown for the flows herein above are not intended to be limiting and that each flow may be practiced with variations. These variations may include more steps, less steps, changing the sequence of steps, skipping steps, among other variations which may be evident to one skilled in the art.

[0087] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “analyzing”, "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," “detecting”, “identifying” or the like, refer to the action and / or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system's registers and / or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A system for determining the status of an enclosure’s closure, the system comprising: a photodetector to sense a light intensity, wherein the photodetector is installed on an inside part of the enclosure; and a computer processor configured to compute the status of the closure according to the light intensity.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer processor is further configured to set the status of the closure to ‘open’ if the light intensity exceeds an open threshold and to set the status of the closure to ‘closed’ if the light intensity is below a closed threshold.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the computer processor is further configured to check a previous status of the closure and if the previous status is ‘open’ and the light intensity is below the close threshold, to evaluate the rate of change in light intensity and change the status of the closure to ‘close’ if the change in light intensity is rapid.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a battery to provide power to the computer processor and a solar panel installed on an outer side of the enclosure to charge the battery.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a light projector to emit and project light to a target area, wherein the light projector is installed on the closure, and wherein the computer processor is further configured to instruct the light projector to emit and project the light.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the computer processor is configured to change the status of the closure from ‘closed’ to ‘open’ if the light intensity is below a first threshold and to change the status of the door from ‘open’ to ‘close’ if the light intensity exceeds a second threshold.

7. The system of claim 5 further comprising: a GPS to determine a location of the enclosure; andan accelerometer to detect motion of the enclosure; wherein the computer processor is configured to instruct the light projector to emit and project light when the location of the enclosure appears in a preconfigured list of locations or when the enclosure is not in motion.

8. The system of claim 5 further comprising a secondary photodetector to sense an additional light intensity, wherein the secondary photodetector is installed on an inside part of the closure, and wherein the computer processor is configured to determine that the system behavior is abnormal when at least one of the following conditions occurs: a) the light intensity and the additional light intensity differ, and b) the additional light intensity exceeds a preconfigured threshold and the status of the door is ‘closed’.

9. The system of claim 5 further comprising a passive light reflector installed on an inside part of a wall of the enclosure at a location aligned with the target area thereby increasing a reflected light intensity.

10. The system of claim 5 wherein the light proj ector is configured to emit modulated light and the photodetector is configured to demodulate the sensed light, and wherein the computer processor is configured to compare the demodulated sensed light with the modulated emitted light and determine the status of the closure when the demodulated sensed light corresponds to the modulated emitted light.

11. The system of claim 5 further comprising a distance measuring module configured to measure a distance to a reflection area, wherein the distance measuring module is installed on the inside part of the closure, adjacent to the photodetector, and wherein the computer processor is configured to determine the status of the closure if the distance to the reflection area corresponds to a configured distance to the target area.

12. A method for determining the status of an enclosure’ s closure, the method comprising: sensing a light intensity inside the enclosure; and computing a status of the closure according to the light intensity.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the computing step further comprises setting the status of the closure to ‘open’ if the light intensity exceeds an open threshold and setting the status of the closure to ‘closed’ if the light intensity is below a closed threshold.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising checking a previous status of the closure and if the previous status is ‘open’ and the light intensity is below the close threshold, evaluating the rate of change in light intensity and changing the status of the closure to close if the change in light intensity is rapid.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising emitting and projecting light to a target area inside the enclosure.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: determining a location of the enclosure; and detecting motion of the enclosure, wherein the step of emitting and projecting the light to the target area is performed when the location of the enclosure appears in a preconfigured list of locations or when the enclosure is not in motion.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising sensing a secondary light intensity inside the enclosure by a secondary sensor and determining an abnormal behavior when at least one of the following conditions occurs: a) the light intensity and the additional light intensity differ, and b) the additional light intensity exceeds a preconfigured threshold and the status of the door is ‘closed’ .

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising increasing a reflected light intensity by installing a passive light reflector on an inside part of a wall of the enclosure at a location aligned with the target area.

19. The method of claim 12 further comprising: modulating and projecting the modulated light; demodulating the sensed light; andcomparing the demodulated sensed light with the modulated emitted light, wherein the step of computing a status of the closure is performed when the demodulated sensed light corresponds to the modulated emitted light.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprises measuring a distance to a reflection area and wherein the step of computing a status of the closure is performed if the distance to the reflection area corresponds to a configured distance to the target area.

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