Sensor configuration

A method for detecting an object, comprising:

• invoking a first passive sensor to:
• responsive to detecting a presence of an object, send a wakeup signal to a first active sensor for triggering the first active sensor to awaken from a sleep state;
• and
• invoking the first active sensor to:
• responsive to receiving the wakeup signal from the first passive sensor, transition from the sleep state to an active state;
• and
• while in the active state:
• detect at least one of motion or distance of the object within a first detection zone to create object detection data;
• and
• responsive to a determination that the object has physically left the first detection zone, transition from the active state to the sleep state.

A sensing system for detecting an object, comprising:

• a first sensor configured to:
• responsive to detecting a presence of an object, send a first wakeup signal to a second sensor and send a second wakeup signal to a third sensor;
• the second sensor configured to:
• transition from a first sleep state to a first active state based upon the first wakeup signal received from the first sensor;
• and
• while in the first active state, detect at least one of first motion or first distance of the object within a first detection zone to create first object detection data;
• and
• the third sensor configured to:
• transition from a second sleep state to a second active state based upon the second wakeup signal received from the first sensor;
• and
• while in the second active state, detect at least one of second motion or second distance of the object within a second detection zone to create second object detection data, wherein the first object detection data and the second object detection data are jointed used to determine whether an object is entering an area or leaving the area.