# US 10,482,740 B2 · Encoder-less lidar positioning technique for detection and alarm > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,482,740 B2 - Document ID: US10482740B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/325,239 - Filed: 2015-07-08 - Published: 2017-07-13 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-11 - Assignees: Carrier Corporation - Applicants: Carrier Corporation - Inventors: Hui Fang; Antonio M. Vincitore; Peter R. Harris; Jie Xi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10482740B2 ## CPC - G08B 17/103: using a light emitting and receiving device - G01S 7/4817: {relating to scanning} - G01S 7/4972: {Alignment of sensor} - G01S 17/04: Systems determining the presence of a target - G01S 17/42: Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates (indirect measurement G01S17/46) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES ## Abstract A method for monitoring an area includes distributing, by a detector unit, light during a first instance of time in order to characterize the area based on first data associated with the first instance of time; distributing, by the detector unit, light during at least a second instance of time in order to obtain second data; comparing a first portion of the second data to at least one of: a second portion of the second data and the first data; and based on the comparison, signaling an alarm condition by the detector unit when an evolution in the second data is detected in an amount greater than a threshold. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for monitoring an area, comprising: distributing, by a detector unit, light during a first instance of time in order to characterize the area based on first data associated with the first instance of time, wherein a characterization of the area is based on a determination of a position of a rotational laser beam; distributing, by the detector unit, light during at least a second instance of time in order to obtain second data; comparing a first portion of the second data to at least one of: a second portion of the second data and the first data; and based on the comparison, signaling an alarm condition by the detector unit when an evolution in the second data is detected in an amount greater than a threshold; wherein the position of the rotational laser beam is determined by application of phase correlation with two sequential data sets obtained by the detector unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a characterization of the area comprises identifying a location of objects and walls within the area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the distribution of light during at least one of the first instance of time and the at least a second instance of time adheres to Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) scanning and data acquisition. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the distribution of light during at least one of the first instance of time and the at least a second instance of time comprises distributing light using a plurality of wavelengths. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing, by the detector unit, an indication of a location of smoke based on the evolution in the second data. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the indication of the location of smoke specifies a distance from the detector unit and an angle relative to a reference direction, the method further comprising: overlaying the location of the smoke onto a facility map or fire zone arrangement associated with the area being monitored. ### Claim 7 An apparatus comprising: a detector unit; a rotational laser beam driven by a motor; memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the apparatus to: distribute light during a first instance of time in order to characterize an area being monitored based on first data associated with the first instance of time, wherein a characterization of the area is based on a determination of a position of a rotational laser beam; distribute light during at least a second instance of time in order to obtain second data; compare at least a first portion of the second data to at least the first data; and based on the comparison, signal an alarm condition when an evolution in the second data is detected in an amount greater than a threshold; wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the apparatus to determine a position of the rotational laser beam by applying phase correlation with two sequential data sets obtained by the detector unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a characterization of the area comprises an identification of a location of objects and walls within the area and is self-commissioning. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the apparatus to: distribute light during at least one of the first instance of time and the at least a second instance of time using a plurality of wavelengths. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the apparatus to: provide an indication of a location of smoke based on the evolution in the second data. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the instructions are executed by at least one logic device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus does not include an encoder.