Patent · US Expired

Variable sensitivity motion detector

US4636774A · kind A · utility

53Cited by
7References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 8, 1983
Grant dateJan 13, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 8, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG08B13/181
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The motion detector of the present invention, together with associated AC switching circuitry form a lighting control system which turns on room lights when the room is occupied, and extinguishes the lights when unoccupied. The detector sensitivity or threshold is adjusted in response to the previously detected conditions, providing reliable indication of both entry and continued presence in the controlled area, and producing few false alarms. The present embodiment of the invention has two threshold levels of detection, the higher level being used to detect initial entry into the room. After entry is detected, the motion detector lowers the threshold to detect the weaker signals usually occurring for continued presence in the area of the detector. When the occupant leaves the area, the motion detector threshold or sensitivity returns to the original value after a timeout period.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.