Active Infrared Sensor for Motion Direction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motion sensors in home automation and security systems are inadequate for distinguishing between different sources of motion and determining the direction of object movement, lacking aesthetic appeal and being poorly suited for limited spaces in home automation and security settings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an active infrared sensor using a combination of Doppler effect and amplitude modulation to emit and receive modulated infrared signals, determining changes in object presence and direction of motion by analyzing frequency shifts and creating a baseline profile for comparison.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional motion sensors are used in home automation systems, then motion detection is provided, but the sensors cannot distinguish between different sources of motion or determine direction of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by modulating the infrared signal at specific frequencies and using periodic transmission of infrared beams. The sensor emits modulated infrared signals that reflect off objects, and by analyzing the phase and frequency of the reflected signals over multiple periodic cycles, the system can determine both motion presence and direction of movement, resolving the limitation of conventional sensors that cannot distinguish motion sources or directions.
2Ease of operation
If conventional motion sensors are used, then basic motion detection is achieved, but the sensors lack aesthetic appeal and are poorly suited for limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motion sensing functionality directly into the home automation control panel by integrating an infrared emitter and receiver into the control panel housing. This combination eliminates the need for separate motion sensor devices, improving aesthetic appeal and space efficiency while maintaining full motion detection and direction determination capabilities through the integrated infrared sensing system.
3Measurement precision
If infrared signals are emitted periodically to monitor objects, then object presence and motion are detected, but calibration is required to establish baseline profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing an automatic baseline profiling process that occurs during initial system setup and operation. The controller automatically captures infrared signal profiles from the monitored environment and stores them as reference data, eliminating the need for manual calibration. This preliminary automatic profiling enables the system to accurately detect object presence and motion without requiring user intervention for calibration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate detection of object presence and direction of motion within a monitored space, reducing the need for calibration and enhancing motion detection capabilities while being integrated into a control panel for efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared emitter configured to disperse at least one infrared beam into a monitored space, an infrared receiver configured to receive reflected infrared signals from the monitored space
Implementation Method 2
determining at least one of whether a number of objects in the monitored space have changed and whether any of the objects are moving... using Doppler effect
Implementation Method 3
periodically emitting with an active infrared sensor a modulated infrared signal into a monitored space... receiving with the active infrared sensor the modulated infrared signals reflected from objects
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described for monitoring a monitored space. An example computer-implemented method for monitoring a monitored space includes periodically emitting with an active infrared sensor a modulated infrared signal into a monitored space being monitored by a home automation system, receiving with the active infrared sensor the modulated infrared signals reflected from objects in the monitored space, and determining at least one of whether a number of objects in the monitored space have changed and whether any of the objects are moving.