Patent Application
20110012734
This invention relates to a portable method and system for establishing a given boundary by configuring a set of infrared motion sensors. The system also implements an audio and visual alarm when the parameters for sufficient obstruction of the boundary are met. Applications include but are not limited to, guarding against dangerous wildlife while camping, confining children to a specified area or protecting intrusion into a dangerous area.
Camping in the outdoors can create unwanted encounters with dangerous wildlife such as bears, moose, elk, or other intruders. These intruders often enter campsites in the evening when campers are asleep or during the day when campers may be distracted by other activities. By the time the campers realize the intruder is in the camp, it may he too late to prevent serious injury or death.
In another scenario, sometimes a child play area is by necessity near a dangerous area. In the absence of a physical boundary, there is need for a boundary sensing method which can alarm when a perimeter is breached.
This system must also be capable of discriminating between objects like, but not limited to small animals, tree branches, balls, etc. and larger, more relevant objects like children, adults, or other larger animals. In order to be useful, the system needs to be easily configurable for a variety of operational environments. The need is to allow movement within a portable boundary, but alert when the perimeter is sufficiently obstructed.
There have been some developments in the arena of motion sensing, but they practically fail to meet this need.
Some systems use a physical boundary which is set up by the user. A physical boundary, like a tripwire, is incapable of distinguishing between the various entities which may trip the wire. Also, once the wire is tripped, the system must be setup again and is inconvenient for perimeter monitoring. In an outdoors environment, large animals may intentionally or unintentionally simply step over the triggering device.
There are other systems which make audible alarms or turn on lights when motion is detected, however they generally fail to discriminate between smaller objects and more significant ones. In an outdoors environment, such a system is not useful if, for example, it cannot distinguish between branches blowing in the wind, and a large animal.
Some systems use lasers to establish a defined perimeter. Although the laser beams allow movement within the perimeter and adequately create a boundary, the system is triggered when there is a break in the beam or link between two sensors. This beam may be broken by either small or large objects and a laser based system cannot distinguish between the two. Additionally, would be intruders may simply miss the beam and cross the perimeter without triggering the system. Lasers are also impractical for a variety of settings because they require large amount of power not generally available to a portable user.
Arrays of infrared sensors are sometimes used to monitor a given boundary. Although this type of method, monitors movement on a given boundary, it still cannot discriminate between the movement of irrelevant objects and larger ones. Currently designed systems are expensive, require permanent installation and amount of power not generally available to a portable user. Also, in this scenario, the individual sensors do not cooperate and include no deterrent.
There is a need for a boundary system that is capable of differentiating between acceptable movement by irrelevant objects and larger objects of interest in a wide variety of environments. The system should be able to immediately alert users, or deter intruders, be portable, lightweight and easy to set up.
The present disclosure describes a system and method for a portable infrared motion sensor detector and deterrent device. The system utilizes portable infrared motion sensors that establish a perimeter or boundary to detect the intrusion of unwanted visitors or to prevent the exit of a person or child from a designated area. The system notifies the user when the perimeter has been breached and is optionally equipped to emit a loud audio warning signal, bright flashing lights, or both to deter unwanted intruders.
The system is composed of one base unit and multiple portable motion sensors. The to portable motion sensors can be free standing, or they can be mounted to a tree or other type of structure, providing a flexible and easy set up. The number of portable sensors used is limitless which allows for an expandable perimeter or boundary. The base unit can be adjusted to turn either the audio alarm or the light alarm, on or off.
The base unit does not need to be within the perimeter in order for the system to work, allowing the user to move away from the location and still be alerted if the perimeter is sufficiently obstructed. This can be accomplished by a variety of means, including, but not limited to a personal electronic devices, wireless Internet devices or other form of wireless communication.
The power supply for the system can be either a battery or a household electrical outlet. In a more remote environment, solar power may be used. Each portable sensor can be configured to fan out from its origin to the end of its reach. This eliminates the need for precise alignment making it quicker and easier to set up. The infrared motion sensors create an accurate detection system for the movement of objects of a configurable size.
In order to discriminate between objects, this system incorporates portable sensors which self calibrate to their current environment and also recognize an object's temperature. Parameters like time delay, sensitivity, and field of view can be adjusted for each sensor in order to define a level of sufficient obstruction. The time delay parameter allows the user to specify an amount of time that the defined boundary is obstructed before the alarm will sound.
The sensitivity parameter allows the user to configure the amount of obstruction present before the system triggers the alarm. This is another way in which the system can discern the size of an object which is obstructing the boundary.
The field of view parameter allows the user to configure the precise space which the sensor will monitor. For example, setting the field of view to only monitor space above ground configures the system to ignore objects which are smaller and can easily pass below the boundary. Combining these parameters allows the user to define sufficient obstruction which eliminates faulty alarms from the movement of objects which the user does not wish to monitor.
In the same way a perimeter can be created around a campsite, a perimeter or boundary can be created to provide a warning when children exit a designated area and the system will not be triggered by inanimate objects like balls or toys, or smaller animals such as, but not limited to birds, squirrels or cats. The portable perimeter system can be utilized to warn of breaches from outside into the perimeter and from inside out of the perimeter. The sensors may also be independently configured so that different alarms may sound depending on the nature of the object which obstructed the boundary.
Understanding that drawings depict only certain preferred embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, the preferred embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
a and 6b reveal how a boundary can be formed using two sensors. These boundaries can be established in front of any precarious environment desired. Different angles can be created with the fields of view of the two sensors.
In the following description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of specific preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the preferred embodiments. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in a variety of alternative embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merely representative of the various embodiments of the invention. The invention will be first described referring to establishing a security perimeter while camping in the outdoors and secondly as a boundary establisher to protect children from dangerous areas.
The occurrence of animal attacks on campers in the outdoors has developed a need for a portable boundary security system to warn users of an intrusion and to frighten away dangerous wildlife from campsites, but simultaneously allows the movement of smaller, less dangerous objects. It is important that the boundary system distinguish between the movement of irrelevant objects, such as tree branches or small animals, and larger more relevant wildlife. The disclosed portable security system utilizes a lightweight, reliable, low-power, and easy to set up apparatus that provides safety and security to campers in the outdoors.
The portable security system utilizes one or more portable infrared motion sensors, 11, shown in
One example of a base unit, 21, of the perimeter security system, as shown in
The audio signal, 26, can be, but is not limited to an audio message stating which motion sensor triggered the alarm, or a specific audio signal can be assigned to each sensor which is unique from the other sensors. This allows a user to create several independent perimeter types with different alarms. For example a user could specify different alarms for small or large intruders. In one embodiment, the base unit, 21, can also double as a lantern for regular lighting use. This provides functionality to the base unit as well as security. The handle, 28, provides a means for portability to the base unit. The base unit does not need to be within the perimeter or sensor boundary in order to detect a signal from the motion sensors. In another embodiment the base unit can be a key fob size device. This is another configuration that works identical to the previously described embodiment except without the lantern style lights.
The base station also has transmitting capabilities. This allows campers to be notified of a perimeter breach while they are not within the campsite. The transmitting capability can be but is not limited to sending a message to a personal electronic device such as but not limited to cellular phones, computers, personal digital assistants, and pagers. The base unit also incorporates both visual, 25 and audio signal, 26, capabilities to alert campers of a breach and frighten away wildlife. The visual capability can be but is not limited to a light source, 25.
As shown in
The system may also be configured to use a variety of transmission frequencies, typically RF, such that multiple networks of sensors may be used in a common area without interfering with each other.
The functional switch, 27, also turns on the light source, 25, for regular lantern use. The functional switch, 27, provides customization of the alarm, so that the alarm can be turned off during the day if desired, or the alarm can be tailored to the desires of the user. Once the alarm is sounded because of a signal from the portable IR motion sensors, the alarm remains on until a specified amount of time has passed in which the portable IR motion sensor has not detected any motion. When this specified time of no motion has passed, the alarm on the sensor and on the base unit automatically resets. The specified amount of time can be adjusted according to the needs and desires of the user. The base unit, 21, can also be turned off via the power switch, 24, shown in
When motion is detected and an alert signal is sent to the base unit, 21, the light source, 15 and the audio signal, 16, on the motion sensor is also initiated. The sensors are customizable for turning on or off either the light source, 15, and/or the audio signal, 16. The light source, 15, and audio alarm, 16, are designed to frighten away wildlife near the sensor.
In order to discriminate between objects, the system incorporates portable sensors which self calibrate to their current environment and also recognize an object's temperature. Parameters like time delay, sensitivity, and field of view can be adjusted for each sensor in order to define a level of sufficient obstruction. The time delay parameter is managed by a microcontroller in the base station and allows the user to specify an amount of time that the defined boundary is obstructed before a warning signal is emitted. This results in the system not generating a warning and ignoring the effects of objects which obstruct the boundary only briefly.
The sensitivity parameter allows the user to configure the amount of obstruction present before the system triggers the alarm. When the obstruction level exceeds a user defined threshold value, a signal is wirelessly sent to the base unit. This is another way in which the system can discern the size of an object which is obstructing the boundary. Setting the sensitivity higher configures the system to ignore the effects of small objects.
The field of view parameter allows the user to configure the precise space which the sensor will monitor. For example, setting the field of view to only monitor space above ground configures the system to ignore objects which are smaller and can easily pass below the boundary.
Combining the time delay, sensitivity, and field of view parameters allows the user to define sufficient obstruction levels for generating a warning signal. This adjustability allows the user to set detection ranges and thus eliminate faulty alarms from the movement of objects which the user does not wish to monitor.
This field of view can be altered to customize the area covered by each sensor. This customization is attainable by the sensor screen cover, 14, shown in
There are many arrangements that can be used to create a complete perimeter using various numbers of portable motion sensors positioned in series. The following illustrate a few examples of how a perimeter can be established, but it does not limit the varying ways a perimeter can be formed; they are merely examples of how a perimeter can be established. In
The natural or man-made boundary could be but is not limited to a rock wall, cliff face, fence, waterfront, or cliff. The sensors don't have to create a complete perimeter when a natural or man-made boundary is employed as one side. The following two examples show how a natural or man-made boundary can be used to create a complete perimeter of security, but it does not limit the variety of possible configurations of sensors and natural or man-made boundaries that can be used to create a continuous perimeter. The examples are merely representations of how this can be accomplished.
Another use for the boundary security system is to protect children from entering dangerous areas. One or more of the perimeter IR motion sensors, 11, can be positioned to create a boundary in front of any area where guardians do not want children to go. The boundary would be far enough away from the unwanted area to allow time for the guardian to stop the child. The use of audio and visual alarms from the portable motion sensors and base unit could be employed as in the camping security system to deter the child from crossing the boundary.
The base unit is also capable of transmitting a message to the personal electronic device of the guardian to alert the guardian that the child has crossed the IR motion sensor boundary. This embodiment could be used for dangerous situations such as but not limited to waterways, shorelines, roadways, cliff sides, and other precarious areas. Boundaries that can be created to protect dangerous areas are depicted in
Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the invention to its fullest extent. Therefore the examples and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and not a limitation of the scope. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many changes, such as types of materials and component shapes, may be made to the details of the above described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/226,773, filed Jul. 20, 2009, and titled “Portable Boundary Sensor System and Method” which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61226773 | Jul 2009 | US |
