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US 12,747,964 B2Granted
Systems and methods for detecting security status
AssigneeComcast Cable Communications, LLC
InventorsRyan Cunningham, David Yorkey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for determining a security status are described. Magnetic fields may be detected by sensors that are positioned to determine the location of a magnet. The location of the magnet may be used to determine the configuration of an object to which the magnet is attached. The use of multiple sensors may be used to detect null regions of magnetic fields that may not be detected by one of the sensors. Further, potential malfunctions in the sensors may be determined automatically.
Claims16
A method comprising:
- receiving, by a computing device, a first plurality of indications, wherein at least one of the first plurality of indications corresponds to a magnetic field of a magnet located in one of a plurality of detectable regions in which the magnetic field is detectable by a first sensor or by a second sensor, and wherein at least one of the first plurality of indications corresponds to a first null region in which the magnetic field is not detectable by the first sensor or a second null region in which the magnetic field is not detectable by the first sensor;
- receiving a second plurality of indications, wherein at least one of the second plurality of indications corresponds to the magnetic field of the magnet located in one of the plurality of detectable regions, and wherein at least one of the second plurality of indications corresponds to a third null region in which the magnetic field is not detectable by the second sensor or fourth null region in which the magnetic field is not detectable by the second sensor;
- and
- configuring at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor, based on the first and second pluralities of indications and relative to the magnet, such that:
- the first sensor detects the magnetic field if the magnet is located in any of the plurality of detectable regions, the third null region, or the fourth null region, and
- the second sensor detects the magnetic field if the magnet is located in any of the plurality of detectable regions, the first null region, or the second null region.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a first sensor;
- a second sensor offset from the first sensor;
- and
- a magnet configured to move relative to the first and second sensor and configured such that at least one of the first or second sensor can detect a magnetic field of the magnet regardless of null regions in the magnetic field of the magnet, wherein the magnetic field of the magnet is not detectable by the first sensor in a first null region and a second null region, and the magnetic field of the magnet is not detectable by the second sensor in a third null region and a fourth null region.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.