Respiration monitor

Claim 2

A respiration monitor for monitoring respiration motion of a individual, comprising: a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; light conductor support means, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being affixed to the light conductor support means and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor being disposed on the light conductor support means with the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor being positioned so that the sending end of the sending light conductor is spaced a distance from and in alignment with the receiving end of the receiving light conductor said support means being constructed to maintain substantial linear alignment at all times whereby the light passing therebetween will at all times define a substantially straight line, means for positioning the light conductor support means near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion of the individual and for varying the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor in response to respiration motion; a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving end of the receiving light conductor receiving light from the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light receiving by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications or respiration motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of respiration motion.

Claim 3

The respiration monitor of claim 1 wherein the means providing the output indication indicative of respiration motion is defined further an determining an absence of respiration motion in response to determining substantially no change in the intensity of received light for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 4

The respiration monitor of claim 2 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor is defined further to include: means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and providing an output electrical analog signal indicative of the intensity of light received from the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving the electrical analog signal indicative of the intensity of the light received from the receiving light conductor and for providing an output alarm signal in response to substantially no change in the received electrical analog signal for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 5

The respiration monitor of claim 3 defined further to include: alarm means receiving the alarm signal and providing a perceivable output indication in response to receiving the alarm signal.

Claim 6

The respiration monitor of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include: means for converting the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor to a digital signal indicative of the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes in the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and providing an output alarm signal in response to determining no change in the state of the received digital signal for a predetermined period of time thereby indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

Claim 7

The respiration monitor of claim 5 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indication of respiration motion is defined further to include: means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time; and means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time and providing a visually perceivable output indication indicative of an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

Claim 8

The respiration monitor of claim 5 defined further to include: means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes in the intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored.

Claim 9

The respiration monitor of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include: means for providing an operating power; means for determining the operating power is being provided and for determining the absence of providing the operating power supply, said means providing an output alarm signal in response to determining an absence of providing the operating power.

Claim 10

The respiration monitor of claim 8 wherein the means for providing operating power is defined further to include a line operating power supply and a battery operating power supply, and wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include: means for selectively switching to one of the battery operating power supply and to the line operating power supply for providing the operating power.

Claim 11

The respiration monitor of claim 1 wherein the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor each are defined further as being constructed of fiber optics.

Claim 12

A respiration monitor for monitoring respiration motion of an individual, comprising: a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; means for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor, and for positioning the sending end portion of the sending light conductor and the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion of the individual, and for holding the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor so the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to respiration motion of the individual; a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving end of the receiving light conductor receiving light form the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of respiration motion, comprising: means for converting the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor to a digital signal indicative of the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes in the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and providing an output alarm signal in response to determining no change in the state of the received digital signal for a predetermined period of time thereby indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time; means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes int eh intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored; and means for providing an output alarm signal in response to determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored at a level above a predetermined respiration rate.

Claim 13

A respiration monitor for monitoring respiration motion of an individual, comprising: a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; means for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor, and for positioning the sending end portion of the sending light conductor and the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion of the individual, and for holding the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor so the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to respiration motion of the individual; a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving end of the receiving light conductor receiving light form the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of respiration motion, comprising: means for converting the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor to a digital signal indicative of the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes in the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and providing an output alarm signal in response to determining no change in the state of the received digital signal for a predetermined period of time thereby indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time; means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes int eh intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored; and means for providing an output alarm signal in response to determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored at a level above a predetermined respiration rate.

Claim 14

The respiration monitor of claim 11 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include: means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of a determined high respiration rate and providing a visually perceivable output indication indicating a determined high respiration rate of the individual being monitored; and means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of a determined high respiration rate of the individual being monitored and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating a determined high respiration rate of the individual being monitored.

Claim 15

The respiration monitor of claim 12 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include: means for receiving the alarm signal indicating the absence of providing a regulated power supply and for providing a visually perceivable output indication indicating the absence of providing a operating power; and means for receiving the alarm signal indicating the absence of providing the operation power and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating the absence of providing the operating power.

Claim 18

The method for claim 14 defined further to include the steps of: converting the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor to digital signals indicative of changes in the intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor thereby being indicative of respiration motion and providing an output indication indicative of respiration motion.

Claim 19

The method of claim 14 defined further to include the steps of: converting the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor to digital signals indicative of changes in the intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor thereby being indicative of respiration motion and determining an absence of respiration motion in response to determining an absence of change of state of the digital signal for a predetermined period of time and providing an output alarm signal in response to determining an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

Claim 20

The method of claim 16 defined further to include the steps: receiving the alarm signal indicative of an absence of respiration motion and providing a visually perceivable output indication indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time; and receiving the alarm signal indicative of an absence of respiration motion and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

Claim 21

The method of claim 15 defined further to include the steps: receiving the digital signal indicative respiration motion and determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored.

Claim 22

The method of claim 18 defined further to include the steps: providing an output alarm signal in response to determining the respiration rate of an individual above a predetermined high respiration rate; and receiving the alarm signal indicative of a high respiration rate and providing a visually perceivable output indication indicating a determined high respiration rate; and receiving the alarm signal indicating a high respiration rate and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating a determined high respiration rate.

Claim 23

The method of claim 14 wherein the sending and receiving light conductors each are defined further as being fiber optics.

Claim 26

The method of claim 21 wherein the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor each are defined further as being fiber optics.

Claim 27

A respiration monitor for monitoring respiration motion of an individual, comprising: a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; means for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor, and for positioning the sending end portion of the sending light conductor and the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion of the individual, and for holding the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor so the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to respiration motion of the individual, said means comprising: a detector housing having a light opening extending a distance therethrough, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being insertable into the light opening and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor being insertable into the light opening with the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor being positioned in the detector housing so the sending end of the receiving light conductor is spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and a strap assembly having the detector housing connected to a portion thereof, the strap assembly being removably attachable to the individual for removable positioning the detector housing generally near the portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration of the individual; a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving ed of the receiving light conductor receiving light from the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of respiration motion.

Claim 28

A respiration monitor for monitoring respiration motion of an individual, comprising: a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; means for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor, and for positioning the sending end portion of the sending light conductor and the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion of the individual, and for holding the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor so the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to respiration motion of the individual, said means comprising: a detector housing having a light opening extending a distance therethrough, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being insertable into the light opening and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor being insertable into the light opening with the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor being positioned in the detector housing so the sending end of the receiving light conductor is spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and a strap assembly having the detector housing connected to a portion thereof, the strap assembly being removably attachable to the individual for removable positioning the detector housing generally near the portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration of the individual; a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving ed of the receiving light conductor receiving light from the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of respiration motion.

Claim 29

The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the means providing the output indication indicative of respiration motion is defined further as determining an absence of respiration motion in response to determining substantially no change in the intensity of received light for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 30

The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the light source is defined further as being adapted to emit infrared light, and wherein the detector housing is defined further to include a filter slot formed through a portion thereof, a portion of the filter slot intersecting the light opening in the detector housing, and wherein the means for positioning the sending and receiving light conductors generally near a portion of the individual is defined further to include: an infrared filter disposed in the filter slot in the detector housing, the filter slot being positioned in the detector housing so that infrared filter is positioned generally between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the infrared filter being adapted to pass substantially only infrared light.

Claim 31

The respiration monitor of claim 25 wherein the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is defined further as being connected to the detector housing so that the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is not movable with respect to the detector housing, and wherein the sending end portion of the sending light conductor is defined further as being movably disposed in the light opening in the detector housing, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being movable in the detector housing in response to respiration motion of the individual, thereby increasing and decreasing the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor in response to respiration motion.

Claim 32

The respiration monitoring of claim 23 wherein the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is defined further as being connected to the detector housing so that the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is not movable with respect to the detector housing, and wherein the sending end portion of the sending light conductor is defined further as being movably disposed in the light opening in the detector housing, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being movable in the detector housing in response to respiration motion of the individual.

Claim 33

The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the strap assembly is defined further to include: a strap having opposite ends, the detector housing being connected to the strap, generally near one end thereof, one end portion of the strap being removably attachable to a portion of the strap, generally near the opposite end thereof.

Claim 34

The respiration monitor of claim 28 wherein a portion of the receiving light conductor extends through a portion of the strap with a portion of the receiving light conductor exiting from the strap and extending a distance terminating with the sending end thereof, an exposed lead portion of the receiving light conductor, and wherein a portion of the sending light conductor extends through a portion of the strap with a portion of the sending light conductor generally near the sending end exiting form the strap and a portion of the sending light conductor exiting from the strap and extending a distance terminating with the receiving end thereof, an exposed lead portion of the sending light conductor.

Claim 35

The respiration monitor of claim 29 defined further to include: a protective cover for covering a portion of the exposed lead portions of the receiving light conductor and for substantially preventing the exposed lead portions of the receiving light conductor and the sending light conductor from becoming entangled about the individual.

Claim 36

The respiration monitor of claim 23 defined further to include: a protective cover for covering a portion of the sending light conductor extending from the detector housing for substantially preventing the sending light conductor from becoming entangled about the individual; and a protective cover for covering a portion of the receiving light conductor extending from the detector housing for substantially preventing the receiving light conductor from becoming entangled about the individual.

Claim 37

The respiration monitor of claim 24 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor is defined further to include: means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and providing an output electrical analog signal indicative of the intensity of light receiving from the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving the electrical analog signal indicative of the intensity of the light received from the receiving light conductor and for providing an output alarm signal in response to substantially no change in the received electrical analog signal for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 38

The respiration monitor of claim 32 defined further to include: alarm means receiving the alarm signal and providing a perceivable output indication in response to receiving the alarm signal.

Claim 39

The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indication of respiration motion is defined further to include: means for converting the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor to a digital signal indicative of the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes in the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and providing an output alarm signal in response to determining no change in the state of the received digital signal for a predetermined period of time thereby indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

Claim 40

The respiration monitor of claim 34 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indication of respiration motion is defined further to include: means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time; and means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time and providing a visually perceivable output indication indicative of an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

Claim 41

The respiration monitor of claim 34 defined further to include: means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes in the intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored.

Claim 42

The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include: means for providing an operating power; means for determining the operating power is being provided and for determining the absence of providing the operating power supply, said means providing an output alarm signal in response to determining an absence of providing the operating power.

Claim 43

The respiration monitor of claim 37 wherein the means for providing operating power is defined further to include a line operating power supply and a battery operating power supply, and wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include: means for selectively switching to one of the battery operating power supply and to the line operating power supply for providing the operating power.

Claim 44

The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the receiving light conductor is disposed in the light opening in the detector housing and connected to the detector housing so that the receiving light conductor is not movable in the detector housing, and wherein the sending light conductor is movably disposed in the light opening in the detector housing, and wherein the strap assembly is defined further to include: a strap having opposite ends, the strap being constructed of a flexible, substantially non-elastic material; and an extension strip connected to one end of the strap and extending a distance therefrom, the extension strip being constructed of a flexible, elastic material expandable and contractable in response to respiration motion, the detector housing being connected to a portion of the strap and the sending light conductor being connectable to a portion of the extension strip so that respiration motion expands and contracts the extension strip thereby causing the sending light conductor to be moved in the light opening in a direction generally toward the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and in a direction generally a way from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor in response to respiration motion.

Claim 45

The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the strap assembly is defined further to include: means for adjustably varying the length of the strap assembly.

Claim 46

The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor each are defined further as being constructed of fiber optics.

Claim 47

A monitor for monitoring respiration motion, comprising: a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; means for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor, and for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor so the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to motion to be monitored, said means comprising: a detector housing having a light opening extending a distance therethrough, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being insertable into the light opening and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor being insertable into the light opening with the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor being positioned in the detector housing so the sending end of the receiving light conductor is spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving end of the receiving light conductor receiving light from the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indication of motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of motion.

Claim 48

A monitor for monitoring respiration motion, comprising: a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; means for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor, and for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor so the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to motion to be monitored, said means comprising: a detector housing having a light opening extending a distance therethrough, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being insertable into the light opening and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor being insertable into the light opening with the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor being positioned in the detector housing so the sending end of the receiving light conductor is spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving end of the receiving light conductor receiving light from the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indication of motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of motion.

Claim 49

The monitor of claim 42 wherein the light source is defined further as being adapted to emit infrared light, and wherein the detector housing is defined further to include a filter slot formed through a portion thereof, a portion of the filter slot intersecting the light opening in the detector housing, and wherein the means for positioning the sending and receiving light conductors is defined further to include: an infrared filter disposed in the filter slot in the detector housing, the filter slot being positioned in the detector housing so the infrared filter is positioned generally between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the infrared filter being adapted to pass substantially only infrared light.

Claim 50

The monitor of claim 43 wherein the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is defined further as being connected to the detector housing so that the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is not movable with respect to the detector housing, and wherein the sending end portion of the sending light conductor is defined further as being movable disposed in the light opening in the detector housing, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being movable in the detector housing in response to motion, thereby increasing and decreasing the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor in response to motion.

Claim 51

The monitor of claim 42 wherein the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is defined further as being connected to the detector housing so that the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is not movable with respect to the detector housing, and wherein the sending end portion of the sending light conductor is defined further as being movable disposed in the light opening in the detector housing, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being movable in the detector housing in response to motion.

Claim 52

The monitor of claim 42 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion is defined further to include: means for providing an operating power; means for determining the operating power is being provided and for determining the absence of providing the operating power supply, said means providing an output alarm signal in response to determining an absence of providing the operating power.

Claim 53

The monitor of claim 46 wherein the means for providing operating power is defined further to include a line operating power supply and a battery operating power supply, and wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion is defined further to include: means for selectively switching to one of the battery operating power supply and to the line operating power supply for providing the operating power.

Claim 54

The monitor of claim 42 wherein the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor each are defined further as being constructed of fiber optics.

Claim 55

A monitor for monitoring motion comprising: a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending end thereof; light conductor support means, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being affixed to the light conductor support means and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor being disposed on the light conductor support means, with the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor being positioned so that the sending end of the sending light conductor is spaced a distance from and in alignment with the receiving end of the receiving light conductor said support means being constructed to maintain substantial linear alignment at all time, whereby the light passing therebetween will at all times define a substantially straight line; means for positioning the light conductor support means near the motion to be monitored whereby the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor is varied in response to the motion to be monitored; a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving end of the receiving light conductor receiving light from the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of motion.

Claim 56

A monitor for monitoring motion comprising: a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof; a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending end thereof; light conductor support means, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being affixed to the light conductor support means and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor being disposed on the light conductor support means, with the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor being positioned so that the sending end of the sending light conductor is spaced a distance from and in alignment with the receiving end of the receiving light conductor said support means being constructed to maintain substantial linear alignment at all time, whereby the light passing therebetween will at all times define a substantially straight line; means for positioning the light conductor support means near the motion to be monitored whereby the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor is varied in response to the motion to be monitored; a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving end of the receiving light conductor receiving light from the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of motion.

Claim 57

The monitor of claim 49 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion is defined further to include: means for providing an operating power; means for determining the operating power is being provided and for determining the absence of providing the operating power supply, said means providing an output alarm signal in response to determining an absence of providing the operating power.

Claim 58

The monitor of claim 50 wherein the means for providing operating power is defined further to include a line operating power supply and a battery operating power supply, and wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion is defined further to include: means for selectively switching to one of the battery operating power supply and to the line operating power supply for providing the operating power.

Claim 59

The monitor of claim 49 wherein the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor each are defined further as being constructed of fiber optics.