Detecting an object in an environment

An apparatus for detecting an object in an environment, the apparatus comprising:

• a camera, wherein the camera is controllable to switch from a first mode to a second mode to prepare the camera to capture an image;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• determine whether a predetermined condition is met based on processing measured wave reflection data obtained by an active reflected wave detector, the measured wave reflection data associated with wave reflections from a first monitoring region in said environment;
• and
• if the predetermined condition is met, perform at least one operation related to camera image data;
• wherein the processor is further configured to:
• process measured wave reflection data that is associated with wave reflections from a second monitoring region in said environment to detect a predefined condition comprising that the object has left the second monitoring region, and in response to detection of the predefined condition cause the camera to switch from the second mode to a mode that consumes less power than the second mode.

A computer implemented method for detecting an object in an environment, the method comprising:

• receiving measured wave reflection data obtained by an active reflected wave detector;
• determining whether a predetermined condition is met based on processing measured wave reflection data that is associated with wave reflections from a first monitoring region in said environment;
• if the predetermined condition is met, performing at least one operation related to camera image data;
• and
• processing measured wave reflection data that is associated with wave reflections from a second monitoring region in said environment to detect a predefined condition comprising that the object has left the second monitoring region, and in response to detection of the predefined condition causing a camera, which is controllable to switch from a first mode to a second mode to prepare the camera to capture an image, to switch from the second mode to a mode that consumes less power than the second mode.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor that is coupled to an active reflected wave detector that is operable to measure wave reflections from an environment, causes the processor to:

• receive measured wave reflection data obtained by the active reflected wave detector;
• determine whether a predetermined condition is met based on processing measured wave reflection data that is associated with wave reflections from a first monitoring region in said environment;
• if the predetermined condition is met, perform at least one operation related to camera image data;
• and
• process measured wave reflection data that is associated with wave reflections from a second monitoring region in said environment to detect a predefined condition comprising that the object has left the second monitoring region, and in response to detection of the predefined condition cause a camera, which is controllable to switch from a first mode to a second mode to prepare the camera to capture an image, to switch from the second mode to a mode that consumes less power than the second mode.