Active infrared sensor
View Patent ↗Methods and systems are described for monitoring a monitored space. An example computer-implemented method for monitoring a monitored space includes periodically emitting with an active infrared sensor a modulated infrared signal into a monitored space being monitored by a home automation system, receiving with the active infrared sensor the modulated infrared signals reflected from objects in the monitored space, and determining at least one of whether a number of objects in the monitored space have changed and whether any of the objects are moving.
1. A computer implemented method for monitoring a monitored space, comprising:
periodically emitting with an active infrared sensor a modulated infrared signal into the monitored space being monitored by a home automation system;
receiving with the active infrared sensor the modulated infrared signals reflected from objects in the monitored space; and
determining whether a number of objects in the monitored space has changed and whether any of the objects are moving.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a frequency shift in the received modulated infrared signals.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
determining whether any of the objects are moving based on the frequency shift.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
determining a direction of movement of the objects based on the frequency shift.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the active infrared sensor is integrated into a control panel of the home automation system.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining step includes using Doppler effect, or amplitude modulation, or a combination thereof.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
creating a baseline profile of the monitored space based on the received modulated infrared signals; and
comparing the baseline profile to future profiles of the monitored space.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the active infrared sensor comprises:
an emitter configured to emit the modulated infrared signals; and
a receiver configured to receive the modulated infrared signals reflected from the objects in the monitored space.
9. An apparatus for monitoring a monitored space using a home automation system, comprising:
a processor;
a memory in electronic communication with the processor; and
instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to:
periodically emit with an active infrared sensor a modulated infrared signal into the monitored space;
receive with the active infrared sensor the modulated infrared signals reflected from objects in the monitored space; and
determine a change in a number of objects in the monitored space and a direction of movement of objects in the monitored space using at least one of amplitude modulation and Doppler effect.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
emit and receive the modulated infrared signals multiple times per second.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
determine at least one of presence and direction of movement of two or more objects in the monitored space concurrently.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the determining step includes comparing the received modulated infrared signals to one or more baseline signals.
13. An active infrared (IR) sensor for use in a home automation and security system, comprising:
an infrared emitter configured to disperse at least one infrared beam into a monitored space;
an infrared receiver configured to receive reflected infrared signals from the monitored space; and
a controller configured to:
generate a baseline profile of the monitored space based on the received reflected infrared signals; and
compare future profiles to the baseline profile to determine whether a number of objects in the monitored space has changed and whether any of the objects are moving.
14. The active infrared sensor of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to determine a frequency shift in the received reflected infrared signals.
15. The active infrared sensor of claim 14 , wherein the controller uses the frequency shift to determine a direction of motion of one or more objects in the monitored space.
16. The active infrared sensor of claim 13 , wherein the active infrared sensor is integrated into a housing of a control panel of the home automation and security system.
17. The active infrared sensor of claim 16 , wherein the infrared emitter is positioned spaced apart from the infrared receiver on the housing of the control panel.
18. The active infrared sensor of claim 13 , wherein the infrared emitter emits infrared signals in at least a 180° pattern.
19. The active infrared sensor of claim 13 , wherein the infrared emitter is configured to emit a modulated infrared signal.
20. The active infrared sensor of claim 13 , wherein the controller utilizes at least one of amplitude modulation and Doppler effect to determine at least one of a direction of motion and a change in the number of objects present in a space monitored by the active infrared sensor.