Patent Application
20200058223
The present invention relates in general to motion sensors, and, more specifically, to an object-filtering motion detection system.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example and should not be construed as descriptive or to limit the scope of this invention to material associated only with such marks.
A motion detector is a device that detects moving objects and people, and such a device is often integrated as a component of a system that automatically performs a task or alerts a user of motion in an area. Motion detectors typically comprise a sensor and some type of interface activated by a signal from the sensor, and the types of sensors used vary based on the particular application of a given system. Examples of such sensors include the use of passive infrared (PIR), microwave detection, ultrasonic frequency detection, tomographic motion detection, gesture detection, and video camera detection.
One subtype of motion detectors is known as occupancy sensors, which includes indoor motion detecting devices used to detect the presence of a person to automatically control, for example, lights or temperature and ventilation systems. Such systems, though, like all motion detectors, only detect for motion, and do not distinguish between sources of motion. As such, a system controlled by such a sensor may be inefficiently triggered by any motion, whether human or otherwise.
A second subtype of motion detectors is known as blind spot monitors, which includes vehicle-based sensor devices that detect other vehicles located to the driver's sides and rear. Some blind spot monitors may also detect objects forward of the driver, such as cross-traffic or pedestrians. Such systems, again, only detect for motion, though more accurately detect the presence of an object within the detection arc. These systems, as with all motion detection systems, cannot discriminate between various objects and, thus, may trigger an alert as a result of any infringement of the detection system. Such alerting is inefficient for the purposes of the present invention.
Thus, there is a need in the art for an object-filtering motion detection system that may trigger an alert when the presence of a person is detected, though which does not trigger an alert in response to infringement from other objects. It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.
To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention describes an object-filtering motion detection system.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an object-filtering motion detection system that may alert to the presence of a person in the detection field.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an object-filtering motion detection system that may filter out larger objects in the detection field.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an object-filtering motion detection system that may comprise a plurality of motion sensors.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an object-filtering motion detection system that may comprise an indicator display.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an object-filtering motion detection system that may comprise a means for attachment to a vehicle.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an object-filtering motion detection system that may comprise a means for attachment to a user.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an object-filtering motion detection system that may comprise wireless connectivity.
These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described herein with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art, both with respect to how to practice the present invention and how to make the present invention.
Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention.
Certain terminology is used in the following description for reference only and is not limiting. The words “front,” “rear,” “anterior,” “posterior,” “lateral,” “medial,” “upper,” “lower,” “outer,” “inner,” and “interior” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the invention, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
The purpose of the system is to provide an alert mechanism to vehicle operators of any persons approaching the vehicle in which they may be sitting. The system provides the vehicle operator with an opportunity to appropriately react to approaching persons or threats by either engaging or disengaging from the situation. The system may be implemented as a vehicle operator safety device, but may also present as a safety mechanism for pedestrians or cargo contained within the vehicle.
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The plurality of motion sensors may be designed to specifically identify persons within the detection arc or sphere by any appropriate means. By way of example, the motion sensors, which are set to a limited detection range, may only alert to movement of a particular size within the detection arc or sphere. Such a limitation to, for example, smaller objects may eliminate the false triggering of alerts by the presence of larger objects such as other vehicles. Through these methods the system may only alert a user to the presence of other persons within proximity of the vehicle. The method further eliminates the constant alerting present in alternative systems, which often result in a user ignoring alerts or disabling the notification system.
The plurality of motion sensors may interface wirelessly, preferably by radio or Bluetooth signal, to a central receiver and indicator display combination. The indicator display may display system detections by any appropriate means, though preferably displays detections by a plurality of visual indicators identifying the direction, relative to the vehicle, of the detection. The indicator display may further comprise an audible alarm, though this alarm may preferably be disabled or enabled by user preference. The indicator display may also further comprise a visual alarm that may be preferably disabled or enabled by user preference. The indicator display itself may attach to a visor clip and cradle combination or a suction-cup and cradle combination so that the indicator display may be quickly and easily viewed by a user sitting in the vehicle.
Considered advantageous to the present combination is the incorporation of object-filtering motion detection and notification only, and the specific removal of automated responses by the system itself. By way of example, alternative systems incorporate automatic window closing, door locking, or horn honking means to add an additional layer of provided features. The present system, by contrast, would be hindered by the addition of such additional features as they would interfere with the user's ability to determine an appropriate response to the detected motion.
The present combination may be designed to operate on 12 v power from a vehicle battery, and may be incorporated into the vehicle system such that the system may be turned on and off with other vehicle accessories. The system may, instead, be powered independently of the vehicle systems, if preferred. The advantage of having the system connected to vehicle power is to avoid the system being disabled due to user error while the vehicle is turned on. The accessing of such power may occur by any appropriate means, and may specifically including wiring the system directly to vehicle power or integrating a cigarette lighter or universal serial bus (USB) connector that may connect to the vehicle. For use in commercial or service vehicles with specialized connectors, the system may instead comprise connectors intended for such systems.
The system may further comprise a means for attachment to a user, which may manifest as a pager or a software application, which the user may carry on their person when stepping away from the vehicle. Such a means for attachment to a user may provide a secondary means for user notification to, for example, a police officer who has stepped away from his vehicle with the vehicle having been approached during the interim.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62712344 | Jul 2018 | US |
