Dual-Modality Intruder Sensor Combining Seismic and Acoustic Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional human intruder detection systems often generate false alarms due to misidentification of non-human movement, leading to costly and unnecessary investigations and reduced trust in security systems.
Innovation Solution
A dual-modality sensor system that combines seismic step-detection and active acoustic velocity profiling to accurately discern human movement by correlating seismic and acoustic signatures, reducing false alarms through verification of human gait characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional motion-based sensors are used to detect intruders, then detection coverage is improved, but false alarm rate increases due to misidentification of non-human movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different sensing modalities (seismic sensing and acoustic velocity profiling) into a single sensor system. This multi-modal approach allows the system to cross-validate detections and distinguish human intruders from animals or environmental disturbances by analyzing multiple characteristics simultaneously, thereby reducing false alarms while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent analyzes multiple parameters of detected motion including seismic wave characteristics, acoustic velocity profiles, gait patterns, and temporal signatures. By examining changes in these parameters over time and comparing them against known human movement patterns, the system can accurately identify human intruders while filtering out non-human sources of motion.
2Measurement precision
If dual-modality sensing is implemented to reduce false alarms, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing and processing functions into distinct modular components: a seismic sensor module for detecting ground vibrations, an acoustic sensor module for velocity profiling, and a processing module for fusing data and analyzing gait patterns. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture despite the advanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions using integrated hardware: detecting seismic waves, profiling acoustic velocities, analyzing gait patterns, and making human/non-human distinctions. The processing unit universally handles data from both sensing modalities and can be configured for different detection scenarios, reducing the need for separate specialized devices.
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
The dual-modality sensor system effectively differentiates human from non-human intrusions with a high probability, significantly reducing false positive detections and enhancing the reliability of security systems.
Implementation Method 1
a seismic sensor for detecting a seismic disturbance (e.g., a human footfall), and acquiring a seismic signature of the detected disturbance
Implementation Method 2
an active acoustic sensor that is responsively activated by the seismic sensor at the detection of the seismic disturbance to acquire an acoustic signature representative of the disturbance
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-modality sensor for detecting a presence of a human intruder within a secure setting includes a seismic sensor for acquiring a seismic signature of a disturbance, and includes an active acoustic sensor to acquire an acoustic signature of the disturbance. A system processor is electrically connected to the seismic and active acoustic sensors to receive and process the seismic and acoustic signatures, and generate an alarm signal when the disturbance is determined to come from a human intruder. Also included is an antenna and/or hard-wire connection arranged for communicating the alarm signal. The dual-modality sensor is arranged in a sensor housing constructed to contact a surface of the secure setting. The sensor may include a battery or other means for providing electrical power.