Motion detection systems using CW radar in combination with additional sensors
View Patent ↗Whether or not the CW radar is utilized for through-the-wall detection, additional one or more sensors are used with the CW radar to confirm the motion detection result or to in fact turn on the CW radar once motion or the physical presence of an individual has been sensed, thereby to provide confirmation of a less-reliable sensor with the use of the more reliable CW radar. Thus, the addition of other sensors provides lower power consumption, lower false alarm rates and better discrimination and classification of moving objects.
1. In a long-term surveillance operation, apparatus for robustly sensing motion of an object, comprising:
a CW radar for motion detection having an output indicative of detected motion; and,
a sensor for sensing activity in the vicinity of said CW radar and for providing an output responsive to sensed activity, said sensor having a low power drain associated therewith;
a unit for both turning on the CW radar responsive to sensed activity and for indicating the presence of a moving object upon outputs from said CW radar and said sensor; and,
a processor for turning on said CW radar upon an output from said low-power sensor, whereby current draw associated with said CW radar is limited to times when there is an output from said sensor, thus to permit prolonged surveillance.
2. A method for increasing the robustness of a CW radar motion detection system, comprising the steps of:
providing a number of CW radars and a processor for processing target range rate and outputting range to a radar target;
providing a sensor having an output;
turning on the radars responsive to an output from the sensor; and,
generating an alarm signal upon the generation of outputs from the radar and the sensor.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said sensor is taken from the group consisting of seismic sensors, magnetic sensors, E-field sensors, infrared sensors, video sensors, chemical sensors, acoustic sensors, and ultrasonic sensors.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said CW radar includes a dual frequency CW range-determining radar.
5. In a motion detection system, a method for tracking a radar target, comprising the steps of:
utilizing multiple CW radars each to separately track the radar target and at least one sensor for tracking a target;
using the output of the sensor to turn on selected radars to track the target; and,
combining the data from the radars to track the target.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the sensor is taken from the group consisting of seismic sensors, magnetic sensors, E-field sensors, infrared sensors, video sensors, chemical sensors, acoustic sensors, and ultrasonic sensors.
7. In a surveillance system in which a building has been cleared of individuals, a method for ascertaining re-entry of an individual into the building, comprising the steps of:
utilizing a CW motion-sensing radar to illuminate the building with the signal from the CW radar;
sensing a parameter indicative of the presence of an individual in the building;
turning on the CW radar based on the sensor detecting the parameter indicative of the detection of an individual; and,
determining that an individual is in the cleared building by a response from both the CW radar and the sensor.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein said sensor is taken from the group consisting of seismic sensors, magnetic sensors, E-field sensors, infrared sensors, video sensors, chemical sensors, acoustic sensors, and ultrasonic sensors.