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US5084696A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Signal detection system with dynamically adjustable detection threshold

Assignee: Carrier Fire and Security Americas Corp
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Filing: 1991-01-24
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Granted: 1992-01-28
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Expires: 2011-01-24
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Abstract

Abstract A signal detection system with dynamically adjustable detection threshold includes a signal detection comparator having a dynamically adjustable threshold which adjusts the detection sensitivity of the comparator from a quiescent value to a value which is dependent upon the value of an event trigger signal, thus anticipating the amplitude of a second, confirming event trigger signal. Additionally, an alarm window timer activated by an event signal which exceeds the quiescent signal detection comparator threshold, assures that an alarm activator will be enabled only after a second, confirming event trigger signal exceeds the adjusted detector threshold, and which occurs during the active period of the alarm window timer.

Inventors

  • 👤 John K. Guscott
  • 👤 Gerard G. Stelmack

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 18:08
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B29/00; G08B29/18; G08B29/185; G08B29/20; G08B29/24; G08B29/26

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 147 words
A system for dynamically adjusting the threshold of a signal detection comparator as a function of an input trigger signal, comprising: means for receiving an input signal having a value; comparator means, for comparing the value of said input signal with a dynamically adjustable threshold value having a predetermined initial value, and for providing a detection signal upon the value of said input signal exceeding the value of said threshold; and threshold generator means, responsive to said input signal and to a predetermined offset value, for dynamically adjusting the initial value of said dynamically adjustable threshold, and for providing an adjusted threshold value to said comparator means upon the value of said input signal exceeding said predetermined offset value, said adjusted threshold value increasing as a function of increases in value of said input signal, and decreasing as a function of a predetermined selectable period of time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 147 words
A system for dynamically adjusting the threshold of a signal detection comparator as a function of an input trigger signal, comprising: means for receiving an input signal having a value; comparator means, for comparing the value of said input signal with a dynamically adjustable threshold value having a predetermined initial value, and for providing a detection signal upon the value of said input signal exceeding the value of said threshold; and threshold generator means, responsive to said input signal and to a predetermined offset value, for dynamically adjusting the initial value of said dynamically adjustable threshold, and for providing an adjusted threshold value to said comparator means upon the value of said input signal exceeding said predetermined offset value, said adjusted threshold value increasing as a function of increases in value of said input signal, and decreasing as a function of a predetermined selectable period of time.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 164 words
A system for detecting and confirming the occurrence of a trigger signal, including a dynamically adjustable signal detection comparator threshold, comprising: means for receiving an input signal having a variable value; comparator means, for comparing the value of said input signal with a dynamically adjustable threshold value having a predetermined initial value, and for providing a first detection signal upon said input signal exceeding the initial value of said adjustable threshold; threshold generator means, responsive to said input signal and to a predetermined offset value, for adjusting the initial value of said adjustable threshold, and for providing an adjusted threshold value to said comparator means upon said input signal exceeding said predetermined offset value, said adjusted threshold value increasing as a function of increases in value of said input signal, and decreasing as a function of a predetermined selectable period of time; and said comparator means providing a second, confirming detection signal upon said input signal exceeding the value of said adjusted threshold value.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 164 words
A system for detecting and confirming the occurrence of a trigger signal, including a dynamically adjustable signal detection comparator threshold, comprising: means for receiving an input signal having a variable value; comparator means, for comparing the value of said input signal with a dynamically adjustable threshold value having a predetermined initial value, and for providing a first detection signal upon said input signal exceeding the initial value of said adjustable threshold; threshold generator means, responsive to said input signal and to a predetermined offset value, for adjusting the initial value of said adjustable threshold, and for providing an adjusted threshold value to said comparator means upon said input signal exceeding said predetermined offset value, said adjusted threshold value increasing as a function of increases in value of said input signal, and decreasing as a function of a predetermined selectable period of time; and said comparator means providing a second, confirming detection signal upon said input signal exceeding the value of said adjusted threshold value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 244 words
An event detection and confirmation system, including a signal detector having a signal detection threshold which is dynamically adjustable as a function of an event signal, comprising: at least one sensor, for providing an event signal having a variable value representative of the detection of an event; at least one comparator, for comparing the value of said event signal with a dynamically adjustable threshold value having a predetermined initial value, and for providing a first detection signal upon the value of said event signal exceeding the initial value of said threshold; a threshold generator, responsive to said event signal and lo a predetermined offset value, for dynamically adjusting said dynamically adjustable threshold value upon said event signal exceeding said predetermined offset value, said threshold generator increasing said adjustable threshold value as a function of increases in said event signal, and decreasing said adjustable threshold value as a function of a predetermined selectable period of time; said at least one comparator providing a second confirming detection signal upon the value of said event signal exceeding the value of said adjusted threshold value; at least one alarm timer, responsive to said first detection signal from said at least one comparator, for providing an alarm activation period signal during which an alarm signal may be generated; and an alarm activator, responsive to said alarm activation period signal and to said second confirming detection signal, for providing an alarm signal indicating an event has been detected and confirmed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 244 words
An event detection and confirmation system, including a signal detector having a signal detection threshold which is dynamically adjustable as a function of an event signal, comprising: at least one sensor, for providing an event signal having a variable value representative of the detection of an event; at least one comparator, for comparing the value of said event signal with a dynamically adjustable threshold value having a predetermined initial value, and for providing a first detection signal upon the value of said event signal exceeding the initial value of said threshold; a threshold generator, responsive to said event signal and lo a predetermined offset value, for dynamically adjusting said dynamically adjustable threshold value upon said event signal exceeding said predetermined offset value, said threshold generator increasing said adjustable threshold value as a function of increases in said event signal, and decreasing said adjustable threshold value as a function of a predetermined selectable period of time; said at least one comparator providing a second confirming detection signal upon the value of said event signal exceeding the value of said adjusted threshold value; at least one alarm timer, responsive to said first detection signal from said at least one comparator, for providing an alarm activation period signal during which an alarm signal may be generated; and an alarm activator, responsive to said alarm activation period signal and to said second confirming detection signal, for providing an alarm signal indicating an event has been detected and confirmed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said event signal is a bipolar signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 4 further including an absolute value amplifier, responsive to said event signal, for converting said bipolar event signal into a unipolar event signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 49 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said at least one comparator further includes a reset signal value, operative for disabling said at least one alarm timer and said at least one alarm activator upon the value of said event signal decreasing below the value of said reset signal value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said reset signal value is operative upon said event signal exceeding the initial value of said threshold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said predetermined selectable period of time is established by an R/C time constant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 30 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said adjusted threshold value decreases as a function of a predetermined selectable period of time in conjunction with the absence of said event signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 31 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said adjusted threshold value decreases as a function of a predetermined selectable period of time in conjunction with decreases in value of said event signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 257 words
An intrusion detection system, including an intrusion detector having a detection threshold which is dynamically adjustable as a function of an intrusion detection signal, comprising: at least one intrusion detector, for providing a variable value intrusion detection signal representative of the detection of an intrusion; at least one comparator, for comparing the value of said intrusion detection signal with a dynamically adjustable threshold value having a predetermined initial value, and for providing a first signal upon the value of said intrusion detection signal exceeding the initial value of said threshold; at least one threshold generator, responsive to said intrusion detection signal and to a predetermined offset value, for dynamically adjusting said adjustable threshold value upon the value of said intrusion detection signal exceeding said predetermined offset value, said at least one threshold generator increasing said adjustable threshold value as a function of increases in said intrusion detection signal, and decreasing said adjustable threshold value as a function of a predetermined selectable period of time; said at least one comparator providing a second confirming detection signal upon the value of said intrusion detection signal exceeding the value of said dynamically adjustable threshold value; at least one alarm timer, responsive to said first detection signal from said at least one comparator, for providing an alarm activation period signal during which an alarm signal may be generated; and at least one alarm activator, responsive to said alarm activation period signal and to said second confirming detection signal, for providing an alarm signal indicating an intrusion has been detected and confirmed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 257 words
An intrusion detection system, including an intrusion detector having a detection threshold which is dynamically adjustable as a function of an intrusion detection signal, comprising: at least one intrusion detector, for providing a variable value intrusion detection signal representative of the detection of an intrusion; at least one comparator, for comparing the value of said intrusion detection signal with a dynamically adjustable threshold value having a predetermined initial value, and for providing a first signal upon the value of said intrusion detection signal exceeding the initial value of said threshold; at least one threshold generator, responsive to said intrusion detection signal and to a predetermined offset value, for dynamically adjusting said adjustable threshold value upon the value of said intrusion detection signal exceeding said predetermined offset value, said at least one threshold generator increasing said adjustable threshold value as a function of increases in said intrusion detection signal, and decreasing said adjustable threshold value as a function of a predetermined selectable period of time; said at least one comparator providing a second confirming detection signal upon the value of said intrusion detection signal exceeding the value of said dynamically adjustable threshold value; at least one alarm timer, responsive to said first detection signal from said at least one comparator, for providing an alarm activation period signal during which an alarm signal may be generated; and at least one alarm activator, responsive to said alarm activation period signal and to said second confirming detection signal, for providing an alarm signal indicating an intrusion has been detected and confirmed.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-01-27 1995-07-29 1996-01-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-01-27 1999-07-29 2000-01-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-01-27 2003-07-29 2004-01-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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