Radar Access Control with Alternating Safety Detection Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar systems face challenges in efficiently monitoring complex access paths to hazardous devices, leading to excessive computational burdens and delays in target signalling when trying to cover multiple regions of interest with complex shapes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a single radar sensor to detect target access to multiple regions of interest by alternating detection cycles between these regions, reducing the computational burden and allowing for more complex shapes to be monitored without significant delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single radar sensor covers complex regions of interest (such as approximately rectangular areas) by using the union of multiple circular sectors, then the versatility and shape flexibility of the monitored area is improved, but the computational burden increases excessively, causing unacceptable delays in target signalling
Solution Approach 1:
The monitored area is divided into multiple circular sectors that are processed sequentially rather than simultaneously. The radar sensor alternates between detecting targets in different circular sectors, reducing the computational burden per detection cycle while maintaining coverage of the complete complex region of interest.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar sensor implements periodic detection cycles that alternate between different circular sectors. By switching between sectors in a periodic manner, the system maintains comprehensive monitoring of the complex region while limiting the processing time required in each cycle, thus avoiding excessive delays in target signalling.
2Device complexity
If multiple radar sensors are installed to cover complex regions of interest, then the computational burden per sensor is reduced, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single radar sensor is made multi-functional by enabling it to detect targets in multiple different circular sectors sequentially. This allows one sensor to perform the work that would otherwise require multiple sensors, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining adequate monitoring performance.
3Reliability
If the radar sensor verifies target presence in both first and second regions of interest in the same detection cycle, then the safety monitoring is more comprehensive, but the computational burden and processing time increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The safety monitoring function is segmented into separate detection cycles for different regions. The radar sensor dedicates specific cycles to the first region (slowing down area) and other cycles to the second region (stop area), ensuring comprehensive safety monitoring while keeping the computational burden manageable in each individual cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar sensor maintains continuous safety monitoring by alternating detection cycles between different regions. This ensures that both the slowing down area and stop area are monitored comprehensively over time, maintaining reliability without requiring simultaneous processing that would increase computational burden.
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
This approach enables efficient monitoring of complex access paths with reduced computational burden and minimal delays in target signalling, maintaining system safety by ensuring timely activation of safety measures.
Implementation Method 1
at least one radar sensor detects target access to a first region of interest
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A set of one or more radar sensors (2) controls accesses of targets (200) to an environment (100) with a hazardous device (110). The radar sensors (2) start the detection in a first region of interest (3) in an access path (130) to the environment (100). Upon the detection of a target (200), the hazardous device (110) is commanded a first safety measure, the detection in the first region of interest (3) is interrupted, and the detection is started at a second region of interest (4) arranged more internally than the first region of interest (4). Upon the detection of a target (200) in the second region of interest (4), a second safety measure is activated. Instead, in the absence of targets (200) in the second region of interest (4) for a predetermined time, the detection in the second region of interest (4) is interrupted, and the detection in the first region of interest (3) is restarted.