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US 8,410,922 B2Granted
Motion sensor with ultrasonic modulation
AssigneeThe Watt Stopper, Inc.
InventorsJon Null, Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dual-technology motion sensor with an ultrasonic sensor element (transducer) and a PIR sensor element is disclosed. The dual-technology motion sensor is configured to modulate ultrasonic radiation emitted from the ultrasonic sensor element when the motion sensor detects a condition under which other wireless devices, especially ultrasound-based wireless devices, are in operation, thereby eliminating problems associated with interference.
Claims23
A motion sensor comprising:
- a) a motion sensor unit for controlling a load in response to detected motion, the motion sensor unit comprising:
- I) an ultrasonic sensor for detecting a first level of motion;
- ii) a PIR sensor for detecting a second level of motion, wherein the motion sensor unit is configured to close a load circuit when the first level of motion and the second level of motion are above a first threshold value;
- and
- b) means for turning off the ultrasonic sensor when the motion detected by at least one of the ultrasonic sensor and the PIR sensor is above a second threshold value.
2 more elements
A motion sensor comprising:
- a) a motion sensor unit for controlling a load in response to detected motion, the motion sensor unit comprising:
- I) an ultrasonic sensor for detecting a first level of motion;
- ii) a PIR sensor for detecting a second level of motion, wherein the motion sensor unit is configured to close a load circuit when the first level of motion and the second level of motion are above a threshold value;
- and
- b) means for turning off the ultrasonic sensor when ultrasonic radiation emitted from a source other than the ultrasonic sensor is detected.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a) a motion sensor unit for controlling a load in response to detected motion, the motion sensor unit comprising:
- I) an ultrasonic sensor for detecting a first level of motion from ultrasonic radiation emitted from the ultrasonic sensor;
- ii) a PIR sensor for detecting a second level of motion, wherein the motion sensor unit is configured to close a load circuit when the first level of motion and the second level of motion are above a threshold value;
- b) a communication device, wherein the communication device emits ultrasonic radiation;
- c) means for detecting the ultrasonic radiation emitted from the communication device;
- and
- d) means for modifying the ultrasonic radiation emitted from the ultrasonic sensor in response to the detected ultrasonic radiation emitted from the communication device.
4 more elements
A method comprising:
- a) detecting a first level of motion from ultrasonic radiation emitted from an ultrasonic sensor element;
- b) detecting a second level of motion using a PIR sensor element;
- c) closing a load circuit when the first level of motion and the second level of motion are above a first threshold value;
- d) detecting one or more conditions that indicate an ultrasonic communication device is in operation in the vicinity of a motion sensor with the an ultrasonic sensor element;
- and
- e) modulating ultrasonic radiation emitted from the ultrasonic sensor in response to the one or more detected conditions.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.