Occupancy sensor and method of operating same
US6078253A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B20/40
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multiple sensing technology-based occupancy sensor. Ultrasonic and infrared sensors are used to produce first and second occupancy estimator signals that are combined using a fusion based detection algorithm to produce a combined estimator signal. The combined estimator is then used to switch electrical loads when the combined estimator signal is above a predetermined threshold. The result is an occupancy sensor that has a very high probability of occupancy detection and a low probability of false tripping. In addition, infrared sensitivity is adjusted based upon an estimation of the background noise in order to minimize the occurrence of false tripping.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.