Systems and methods for people counting using beam-forming passive infrared sensors having a dynamically configurable field of view

A detection system, comprising:

• a first motion sensor positioned in an area comprising a plurality of sub-areas, the first motion sensor comprising an optical device having a plurality of sub-lenses, each sub-lens of the plurality of sub-lenses having a field of view (FOV) corresponding to a sub-area of the plurality of sub-areas, wherein the plurality of sub-lenses are configured to receive infrared energy emitted by an individual or an object present in the area and focus the received infrared energy onto at least two sensing elements configured to generate a differential signal;
• and
• at least one processor coupled to the first motion sensor and configured to:
• activate the plurality of sub-lenses to generate a total sensor FOV comprising each FOV of the plurality of sub-lenses;
• and
• dynamically control the plurality of sub-lenses to subdivide the total sensor FOV, wherein the subdivided sensor FOV is smaller than the total sensor FOV, and wherein at least one sub-lens of the plurality of sub-lenses comprises an electrochromic photothermal material.