# US 2014/0197979 A1 · Adaptive sensing system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197979 A1 - Document ID: US20140197979A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/213,346 - Filed: 2014-03-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-23 - Assignees: Sony Corporation - Applicants: Sony Corporation - Inventors: Shin SAITO - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197979A1 ## CPC - G01S 13/04: Systems determining presence of a target (based on relative movement of target G01S13/56) - G01V 8/005: {operating with millimetre waves, e.g. measuring the black losey radiation} - G01S 7/41: using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section - G01S 13/867: {Combination of radar systems with cameras} - G01S 13/887: {for detection of concealed objects, e.g. contraband or weapons} - G01S 13/89: for mapping or imaging - 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 - G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02) ## Abstract The present invention relates to the fields of electromagnetic sensing, automatic security screening and contraband detection. The present invention especially relates to an adaptive sensing system, a sensing method and a corresponding computer program product. The adaptive sensing system according to the present invention comprises an optical or infrared camera for generating image information relating to a region of observation, a passive sensor for receiving electromagnetic radiation, an active sensor for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation, an image processing unit adapted to detect the presence of human beings and objects other than human beings in the region of observation based on the generated image information and a control unit. In case the presence of a human being is detected, the control unit is adapted to control the passive sensor so as to receive electromagnetic radiation from at least the region where the human being is detected and, in case the presence of an object other than a human being is detected, the control unit is adapted to control the active sensor so as to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from at least the region where the object is detected. By using the camera together with an image processing unit, the type of sensor that is applied for sensing is adapted according to the sensed object. This allows individuals to roam freely thereby increasing the convenience for the individuals and allows for a sensing which is unperceived by the individuals. Further, exposition of individuals to electromagnetic radiation is low as individuals are sensed with a passive sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Adaptive sensing system comprising a passive sensor for receiving electromagnetic radiation, an active sensor for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation, a detection unit adapted to detect the presence of human beings and objects other than human beings in a region of observation and a control unit whereby, in case the presence of a human being is detected, the control unit is adapted to control the passive sensor so as to receive electromagnetic radiation from at least the region where the human being is detected and, in case the presence of an object other than a human being is detected, the control unit is adapted to control the active sensor so as to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from at least the region where the object is detected. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Adaptive sensing system according to claim 1 wherein, in case the presence of a human being is detected, the active sensor is either prevented from emitting any electromagnetic radiation into at least the region where the human being is detected or is prevented from emitting electromagnetic radiation which exceeds a preset power or field strength threshold into at least the region where the human being is detected. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Adaptive sensing system according to claim 1 further comprising an optical or infrared camera for generating image information, whereby said detection of human beings and objects other than human beings is based on the generated image information. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Adaptive sensing system according to claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor, whereby said detection of human beings and objects other than human beings is based on temperature information generated by the temperature sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Adaptive sensing system according to claim 1 further comprising a passive contraband detection unit for detecting the presence of specific, for example dangerous, unwanted or forbidden, objects based on sensor information that is generated by the passive sensor based on the electromagnetic radiation received from at least the region where the human being is detected. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) Adaptive sensing system according to claim 4 wherein the passive contraband detection unit is adapted to generate a first detection result indicating that the presence of a specific object is precluded, a second detection result indicating that the presence of a specific object is detected and a third detection result indicating that the presence of a specific object can neither be precluded nor detected, whereby, in case the passive contraband detection unit generates the third detection result, the control unit is adapted to control the active sensor so as to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from at least the region for which the presence of a specific object can neither be precluded nor detected. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) Adaptive sensing system according to claim 6 wherein said emission of electromagnetic radiation that is performed in case the third detection result is generated is substantially restricted to said region where the presence of a specific object can neither be precluded nor detected. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) Adaptive sensing system according to claim 5 wherein the detection unit is adapted to determine the region where a human being or an object other than a human being is detected, the passive contraband detection unit is adapted to determine the region for which the presence of a specific object can neither be precluded nor detected, the passive sensor is adapted to be steered to different regions so as to receive electromagnetic radiation from a region towards which the sensor is steered and the active sensor is adapted to be steered to different regions so as to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from the region towards which the sensor is steered. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Adaptive sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the passive sensor is adapted to operate in the millimeter wave range of electromagnetic radiation. ### Claim 10 Method of sensing comprising the following steps detecting the presence of human beings and objects other than human beings in a region of observation, and, in case a human being is detected, causing a passive sensor to receive electromagnetic radiation from at least a region where the human being is located and, in case an object other than a human being is detected, causing an active sensor to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from at least a region where the object is located. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of sensing according to claim 10 further comprising a step of generating image information relating to a region of observation using an optical or infrared camera, whereby the step of detecting the presence of human beings and objects other than human beings is based on the generated image information. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of sensing according to claim 10 further comprising a step of detecting specific, for example dangerous, unwanted or forbidden, objects based on sensor information that is generated by the passive sensor based on the electromagnetic radiation received from at least the region where the human being is located. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of sensing according to claim 12 wherein, in case the presence of a specific object can neither be precluded nor detected, the method comprises the further step of causing the active sensor to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from at least a region for which the presence of a specific object can neither be precluded nor detected. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of sensing according to claim 12 wherein the step of detecting the presence of human beings and objects other than human beings comprises determining the region where a human being or an object other than a human being is located, the step of causing the passive sensor to receive electromagnetic radiation from at least a region where the human being is located comprises steering the passive sensor to the determined region where the human being is located so as to receive electromagnetic radiation from the determined region and the step of causing the active sensor to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from at least a region where the object is located comprises steering the active sensor to the determined region where the object other than human being is located so as to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation from the region and wherein the step of detecting specific objects comprises determining the region for which the presence of a specific object can neither be precluded nor detected and the step of causing the active sensor to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from at least the region for which the presence of a specific object can neither be precluded nor detected comprises steering the active sensor to the determined region for which the presence of a specific object can neither be precluded nor detected so as to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from the region. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) A computer program product which, when executed by a processing device, is adapted to carry out the method according to claim 10.