The field of the invention relates to PIR detectors and more particularly to methods of adjusting PIR detectors.
Passive Infrared (PIR) detectors are generally known. Such devices are typically used in security systems for the detection of intruders.
PIR detectors typically include one or more radiation detectors intended to detect infrared energy from human intruders. Since PIR detectors are activated by infrared energy, they also have the ability to detect fire.
Since PIR detectors are activated by infrared energy, they are subject to false alarms. For example, when used in a residential context, they must be located at some minimum distance from the floor. This is often necessary to avoid the possibility of activation by small animals such as pets.
Even where mounted at an appropriate distance from the floor, they must be carefully adjusted for the dimensions of the space to be protected. For example, the farther from the floor that the PIR detector is mounted, the less infrared energy is received by the radiation detector. Accordingly, a sensitivity of the detector must be adjusted to avoid activation by small animals, yet low enough to detect humans. As such, the sensitivity of the PIR detector must be carefully adjusted to accommodate the space in which it is used. Accordingly, a need exists for easier and more reliable methods of adjusting PIR detectors.
While embodiments can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles hereof, as well as the best mode of practicing same. No limitation to the specific embodiment illustrated is intended.
The sensors may monitored by a control panel 16. Upon detection of activation of a sensor, the control panel may send an alarm message to a central monitoring station 20 either through the PSTN 26 and alarm receiver 22 or through a cellular phone network 24 and alarm receiver 22.
In this regard, the security system (control panel) may be armed or disarmed through a wireless keypad 30, a wireless keyfob 32 or through a tag 34. The security system may also be remotely armed and disarmed through the PSTN 26 from a conventional telephone 36, through the cellular network 24 from a cellphone 38 or through the Internet 28 from a personal computer (PC) 40 of an end user.
Also shown the upper right and lower right of
Included within the PIR sensor 100 and control panel 16 is one or more processor apparatus (processors) 42, 44 each operating under control of one computer programs 46, 48 loaded from a non-transient computer readable medium 50. As used herein, reference to a step of a program is also reference to the processor that executed that step.
The processors within the PIR sensor 100 allow the sensor to be set up for operation and used in a manner that is simple and straightforward. Under one embodiment, the PIR horizontal detection range shown in the upper right of
For example, a ranging processor within the PIR sensor calculates a range based upon the downward angle of the camera and calculates a set of coordinates for displaying that information on a camera image.
Similarly, a PIR signal display processor retrieves a signal strength from the PIR detector and a high and low threshold values of the PIR sensor from memory. The signal strength and threshold can then be incorporated into a PIR signal strength display that may also be superimposed over the image from the camera.
In order to set up the PIR sensor, an installer may connect a user interface such as a personal computer (PC) 52 to the control panel 16 through the PSTN 26 as shown in
Upon activating the walk test routine, a video processor continuously captures images from the camera and saves them in memory, either as captured or with the overlaid information of PIR detector range and signal strength. If the video is saved as captured, then the signals strength information is saved in a separate file along with timing information.
During the walk test, the installer may walk through the area in front of the PIR sensor. The installer may stop in any one or more locations where he/she wants to make sure that the PIR sensor is able to detect an intruder. At each location, the installer may perform some act such as holding up one or more fingers to signal the importance of the location during later review.
Upon completing the walk test routine, the installer may activate a test playback routine (and processor) to playback the images and superimposed information. The playback may be executed at the same number of frames per second as it was captured or the installer may step through the frames at some incremental number of frames per step.
The image 300 of
For example, if the installer in
Once the installer has completed set up of the security system including one or more PIR sensors, the person owning or otherwise controlling the secured area may activate the alarm system. Once activated, the PIR detector may continuously monitor for intruders. In this regard, a signal processor may compare a signal level from the PIR detector with the one or more threshold values. During this time period, the camera 102 may be inactive or may store a limited number of images into local memory on a rolling basis.
If an intruder should pass in front of the PIR sensor, then the signal processor would detect the intruder due to an increase in the magnitude of the signal from the PIR detector above the threshold value. When this happens, a notification processor within the PIR sensor may compose and send an event message to the control panel. The event message includes at least an identifier of the PIR sensor, a time of the event and at least one image from the camera captured at the same time that the intruder was detected. The control panel, in turn, may save the event message and send an alarm message to the central monitoring station and, possibly, also to the owner or user of the secured area. The saving of the event message including the image from the camera of the PIR sensor offers confirmation at a later time that the event was not a false alarm and evidence of the identity of the intruder.
In general, the system may incorporate the steps of receiving a PIR signal and video signal from a passive infrared (PIR) sensor having a PIR detector and camera, displaying a video image from the camera on a display, overlaying a range of the PIR detector and a magnitude of the PIR signal on the displayed video image, displaying a video image of a person walk testing the FIR sensor on the display in conjunction with the overlaid range and a magnitude of the PIR signal provided by the PIR detector and receiving an adjustment from the user of a detection threshold value of the PIR sensor based on the displayed image.
Alternatively, the system includes a passive infrared (PIR) sensor including a PIR detector and a camera, a processor that receives a PIR signal from the PIR detector and video frame from the camera and that overlays a range of the PIR detector and a magnitude of the PIR signal on the video frame, a display that displays a video image of a person walk testing the PIR detector on the display in conjunction with the overlaid range and a magnitude of the PIR signal provided by the PIR detector and an input that receives an adjustment from the user of a detection threshold value of the PIR detector based on the displayed image.
As a still further alternative, the system includes a security system, a passive infrared (PIR) sensor of the security system including a PIR detector and a camera, a processor that receives a PIR signal from the PIR detector and video frame from the camera and that overlays a range of the PIR detector and a magnitude of the PIR signal on the video frame, a display that displays a video image of a person walk testing the PIR detector on the display in conjunction with the overlaid range and a magnitude of the PIR signal provided by the PIR detector and an input that receives an adjustment from the user of a detection threshold value of the PIR detector based on the displayed image.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.