Patent Application
20190094336
The present invention relates generally to microwave sensing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for self-adjusting a monitoring pattern range of a microwave sensing device.
Motion detectors that include microwave sensing devices are known in the art. It is also known in the art that a monitoring pattern range of a microwave sensing device must be adjusted based on an environment in which the microwave sensing device is installed because detection performance of the microwave sensing device relies on factors in the environment, such as room size, construction, wall material, temperature, electromagnetism interference, and the like.
Known systems and methods to adjust the monitoring pattern range of the microwave sensing device include manually adjusting a gain of circuitry in the microwave sensing device through a potentiometer to achieve an acceptable detection sensitivity level. For example, as seen in
In view of the above, there is a continuing, ongoing need for improved systems and methods.
While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments.
Embodiments disclosed herein can include systems and methods for self-adjusting a monitoring pattern range of a microwave sensing device. That is, systems and methods disclosed herein can self-calibrate the monitoring pattern range and a detection sensitivity level of the microwave sensing device.
In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the microwave sensing device can detect more than just motion of an object within range of the microwave sensing device. For example, in some embodiments, the microwave sensing device can detect a position of the object within the range of the microwave sensing device, a distance of the object from the microwave sensing device, a direction of the object when moving within the range of the microwave sensing device, or a speed of the object when moving within the range of the microwave sensing device.
In some embodiments, the microwave sensing device 240 can include a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC), modulation/waveform generating circuitry, signal processing circuitry, and a digital potentiometer. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 230 can control the modulation/waveform generating circuitry by transmitting a VCO control signal to the modulation/waveform generating circuitry to drive the MMIC. Furthermore, in some embodiments, antennas of the microwave sensing device 210 can detect an object within the range of the microwave sensing device 210 and transmit an object detection signal to the signal processing circuitry for processing thereof. Further still, in some embodiments, the microcontroller 230 can sample a processed microwave intermediate frequency signal output from the signal processing circuitry and, responsive thereto, determine the monitoring pattern range of the microwave sensing device 210 as described in connection with the method 300 of
In some embodiments, the user input/output device 220 can include a microphone for receiving a voice command and a LED for activating to provide a notification to a user. For example, the user input/output device 220 can receive the voice command instructing the microwave sensing device 210 to enter a test mode for adjusting the monitoring pattern range of the microwave sensing device 210 and, responsive thereto, transmit a corresponding signal to the microcontroller 230, which can transmit an instruction signal to the microwave sensing device 210 to enter the test mode. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the user need not physically or manually engage the microwave sensing device 210 or the motion detector 200 to adjust the monitoring pattern range thereof.
However, when the method 300 determines that the self-test of the microwave sensing device 210 passes as in 310, the method 300 can include determining whether the test mode for adjusting the monitoring pattern range of the microwave sensing device 210 has been triggered, for example, responsive to user input, as in 330. If not, then the method 300 can continue determining whether the test mode has been triggered as in 330.
However, when the method 300 determines that the test mode has been triggered as in 330, the method 300 can include readying the microwave sensing device as in 340. Then, as best seen in
As seen in
Systems and methods are disclosed herein in connection with a motion detector that includes a microwave sensing device. However, it is to be understood that embodiments disclosed herein are not so limited and can be used in connection with any video control system, lighting control system, industrial control system, and the like that includes the microwave sensing device and microcontroller as disclosed herein.
Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the logic flows described above do not require the particular order described or sequential order to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, steps may be eliminated from the described flows, and other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the invention.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific system or method described herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
