Sensors for detecting presence, occupancy, and/or motion and related systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion sensors for security and occupancy detection often require complex installation, have limited flexibility in mounting options, and may trigger false positives due to environmental factors like animal movement or changes in temperature and airflow.
Innovation Solution
A modular motion sensor assembly that can be easily installed by consumers, featuring wireless or wired communication, a compact design for attachment to electrical switch boxes, and integration of multiple sensors (infrared, radar, temperature, etc.) with advanced signal processing to differentiate between valid and invalid motion events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ceiling-mounted passive infrared sensors are hard-wired into a security system, then reliable motion detection is achieved, but installation complexity increases and consumer installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hard-wiring system with a wireless communication system. The motion sensor assembly communicates with the alarm panel via wireless signals (e.g., RF, Wi-Fi, or other wireless protocols), eliminating the need for physical cable installation through walls and ceilings. This substitution maintains detection reliability while dramatically simplifying installation to require only mounting the device in the desired location and pairing it wirelessly with the alarm system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary between the motion sensor and the alarm panel. Instead of direct electrical connection, the sensor transmits motion data and receives control signals through wireless communication protocols, acting as an intermediary that bridges the sensor and control system without requiring physical infrastructure changes.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated with advanced signal processing, then detection accuracy improves and false positives are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (infrared motion detection, radar, temperature sensing, airflow sensors) into a single integrated motion sensor assembly. This merging allows the system to simultaneously collect data from different sensing modalities and process them together through signal processing circuits and algorithms, improving detection accuracy by cross-validating signals and eliminating false positives that would occur with any single sensor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensor assembly is designed as a multi-functional device that performs motion detection, temperature monitoring, airflow sensing, and wireless communication all within a single unit. This universal design consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate devices into one integrated system, managing complexity through unified processing while achieving high detection accuracy through multiple sensing capabilities.
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 easy consumer installation, reduces false triggering, and enhances detection accuracy by using a combination of sensors and advanced signal processing to distinguish between human presence and environmental changes.
Implementation Method 1
ceiling-mounted passive infrared sensors
Implementation Method 2
integration of multiple sensors (infrared, radar, temperature, etc.)
Data Source
AI summary
A motion sensor assembly may include a cover plate configured to be mounted to an electrical box. The cover plate may include a front surface configured to face away from the electrical box and a rear surface opposite the front surface. The cover plate may further include an aperture configured to receive a toggle or rocker type switch. A motion sensor may be coupled to the cover plate. A power source and processor may be operably coupled to the motion sensor. Furthermore, the processor may be operably coupled to a communication device.