Laser Scan Sensor Human Detection via Installation State

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser scan sensors struggle to distinguish between small animals and intruders in crawling postures, leading to false detection issues due to fixed detection parameters, which compromise the detection of crawling individuals.

Innovation Solution

A laser scan sensor with a determining unit that calculates object height and width based on installation state information, adjusting detection times to differentiate between human bodies and small animals, ensuring reliable detection without false alarms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed detection parameters are used to detect objects, then detection simplicity is maintained, but false detection between small animals and crawling intruders cannot be distinguished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection simplicityVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic detection parameters that adapt based on installation state. The determining unit calculates detection times and thresholds based on the sensor's mounting position and orientation, allowing the system to automatically adjust between detecting small animals and crawling intruders without manual reconfiguration. This resolves the contradiction by making the system both simple to operate (automatic adjustment) and reliable (context-appropriate parameters).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes detection parameters (detection time, threshold values) based on installation state information. When installed in vertical or oblique downward directions, the system adjusts parameters to distinguish crawling intruders from small animals by analyzing detection duration and signal characteristics. This parameter adaptation enables reliable differentiation while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If detection parameters are adjusted to detect crawling intruders, then intrusion detection reliability improves, but false detection of small animals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintrusion detection reliabilityVSAvoidfalse detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection logic into distinct pathways based on installation state. One pathway handles small animal detection with shorter detection times and lower thresholds, while another pathway handles crawling intruder detection with longer detection times and higher thresholds. The determining unit selects the appropriate pathway based on sensor mounting information, preventing false detections by applying the correct detection criteria for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes detection parameters including detection time thresholds and signal strength thresholds based on installation state. For vertical/oblique downward installations, the system extends detection time requirements to distinguish slow-moving crawling intruders from small animals. This parameter adaptation reduces false detections while maintaining reliable intrusion detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If vertical or oblique downward installation is used, then coverage area is improved, but distinction between small animals and crawling intruders becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidobject distinction precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of installation state information before executing detection. The determining unit pre-calculates appropriate detection parameters based on the sensor's mounting position and orientation. For vertical or oblique downward installations, the system pre-configures extended detection time windows and adjusted thresholds to maintain object distinction precision while covering the desired area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts detection parameters based on installation geometry. When installed vertically or obliquely downward, the determining unit adjusts detection time thresholds and signal analysis parameters to account for the scanning pattern and object detection characteristics. This parameter change enables precise distinction between small animals and crawling intruders while maintaining comprehensive coverage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 sensor maintains detection performance for individuals in ordinary postures while preventing false detection of small animals and ensuring reliable detection of crawling intruders, minimizing false alarms and ensuring compatibility between preventing false detection and reliable intrusion detection.

Implementation Method 1

a laser range finder that measures a distance to an object based on a time after a laser beam emits before a reflected light returns from the object present in a direction of the emission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP2741111B1Laser scanning sensor
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 OPTEX CO LTD
  • EP2741111B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2741111B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2741111B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The configuration includes a laser range finder (110), a scan mechanism (120), a distance-data acquiring unit (130), a memory (160), a human-body determining unit (140), which detects an object with possibility to correspond to a human body from acquired distance information, calculates a height and a width of the object based on installation state information stored in the memory (160), determines that the object is a human body when detection of the object continues for a first predetermined time or longer in the case where a calculated object height is a predetermined height or more, and determines that the object is a human body when detection of the object continues for a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time or longer in the case where the calculated object height is less than the predetermined height, and an alert-output control unit (150).