RF Presence Detection via Stimulus-Response Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current RF-based presence detection systems cannot effectively distinguish between different types of people or animals, limiting their ability to differentiate between authorized and unauthorized individuals based on their responses to stimuli.

Innovation Solution

An RF monitoring system that analyzes initial presence signals, provides a stimulus perceivable by the individual, and detects physical responses to determine if they are authorized or unauthorized by comparing the responses to predefined sets or thresholds, allowing for differentiation through various communication technologies and sensor configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If RF-based presence detection is used, then presence can be detected, but different types of people or animals cannot be distinguished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresence detection accuracyVSAvoidinformation about being type
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by providing a stimulus to the detected being before making a final identification. This stimulus-response mechanism allows the system to gather additional information about the being's characteristics, enabling differentiation between authorized and unauthorized individuals without requiring complex initial detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by analyzing the physical response of the being to the provided stimulus. The RF sensor captures the being's response, which is then processed to determine authorization status. This feedback loop transforms the basic presence detection into a sophisticated identification system that can distinguish between different types of beings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If stimulus-response analysis is implemented, then being differentiation is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation about being typeVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by using a single RF sensor and stimulus-providing device for multiple functions: initial presence detection, stimulus delivery, response capture, and authorization determination. This multi-functional approach enables being differentiation without requiring separate specialized components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes parameter changes in the RF signals - specifically changes in signal characteristics caused by the being's physical response to the stimulus. By monitoring these parameter changes (such as signal strength, phase, or frequency variations), the system can determine authorization status using existing RF sensing capabilities without adding complex measurement equipment.

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

Enables accurate differentiation between authorized and unauthorized individuals by analyzing physical responses to stimuli, facilitating appropriate notifications or control commands, such as triggering alarms or controlling devices, thereby enhancing security and home automation systems.

Implementation Method 1

changes in the RF spectrum (e.g. changes in received signal strength indicators (RSSI) of RF signals, changes in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of RF signals, changes in time-of-flight (ToF) of RF signals, changes in wireless multipath signals (CSI))

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRF signal reflection and propagation: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

detecting changes in the RF spectrum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4004891B1A monitoring device for detecting presence in a space and a method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP4004891B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4004891B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP4004891B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method (300) of detecting presence in a space is disclosed. The method comprises entering (302) a monitoring state, receiving (304) one or more first signals from one or more radio frequency sensors, analyzing (306) the one or more first signals to determine that a being is present in the space, controlling (308), when the presence of the being has been determined, a device configured to provide a stimulus perceivable by the being in the space to provide the stimulus, receiving (310) one or more second signals from the one or more radio frequency sensors when the stimulus has been provided, analyzing (312) the one or more second signals, detecting (314) a physical response to the stimulus of the being based on the analyzed one or more second signals, generating (316) a notification command and/or a control command based on the physical response, and communicating (318) a signal indicative of the notification command and/or the control command to a controllable device or an application.