US5381009A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motion sensor assembly
Assignee: SEG Corp
•
Filing: 1993-05-28
•
Granted: 1995-01-10
•
Expires: 2013-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A motion sensor assembly has a housing with an opening therein, an infrared detector, a lens which may be of the Fresnel type, a holder, a circuit, and a transformerless direct current power supply that provides power to the circuit and detector. The housing has an interior space bounded by at least one wall. The opening is formed in the wall. The holder receives and secures both the lens and the detector so that the lens focuses a field of view on the detector. The holder also orients the detector and lens so as to reduce internal reflections between the lens and detector. The holder further mounts both the lens and the detector adjacent the opening in the wall. A radiation permeable covering disposed in the opening conceals the elements of the assembly within the interior space of the housing. In one embodiment, the radiation permeable covering includes louvers. When a source of infrared radiation moves across the field of view, the detector outputs a signal responsive to infrared energy radiated from the source. The circuit provides a signal in response to the output signal of the detector. A lamp may be driven by the signal of the circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Greg A. Brownell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:58
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/18; G08B13/189; G08B13/19; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S250/00; Y10S250/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A motion sensor assembly, comprising: a housing having an interior space bounded by at least one wall, the wall having at least one opening therein; an infrared detector; a lens; a radiation-permeable covering disposed in the opening to conceal the interior space of the housing from view; means positioned to lie within the space of the housing adjacent the radiation permeable covering for mounting the infrared detector and lens adjacent one another within the housing in a fixed relative orientation to focus a field of view through the radiation permeable covering onto the detector and reduce internal reflections between the lens and the detector so that when a source of infrared radiation enters the field of view, the infrared radiation from the source passes through the radiation permeable covering, is focused on the infrared detector by the lens, and causes the detector to output a signal responsive to the infrared energy radiated from the source; and circuit means for providing a signal in response to the output signal of the detector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A motion sensor assembly, comprising: a housing having an interior space bounded by at least one wall, the wall having at least one opening therein; an infrared detector; a lens; a radiation-permeable covering disposed in the opening to conceal the interior space of the housing from view; means positioned to lie within the space of the housing adjacent the radiation permeable covering for mounting the infrared detector and lens adjacent one another within the housing in a fixed relative orientation to focus a field of view through the radiation permeable covering onto the detector and reduce internal reflections between the lens and the detector so that when a source of infrared radiation enters the field of view, the infrared radiation from the source passes through the radiation permeable covering, is focused on the infrared detector by the lens, and causes the detector to output a signal responsive to the infrared energy radiated from the source; and circuit means for providing a signal in response to the output signal of the detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting means is a two-piece holder having means for receiving and securing the detector and means for receiving and securing the lens adjacent the detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 2, wherein the detector receiving and securing means comprises a slot into which the detector is disposed and wherein the lens receiving and securing means comprises a groove formed in a portion of the holder that receives a periphery of the lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 2, wherein the holder forms a sink for infrared energy absorbed by the detector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the radiation permeable covering comprises a plurality of louvers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 5, wherein the louvers are integrally formed with the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the lens is a Fresnel lens having at least one lens element that focuses one field of view on the detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein the Fresnel lens comprises five lens elements that focus five fields of view on the detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one aspect of a confined field of view covered by the detector is greater than 90°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the lens and detector are mounted in the housing so that a plane along a longitudinal length of the lens is offset from a plane along a longitudinal length of the detector so as to reduce internal reflections between the lens and the detector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 10, wherein the plane of the lens and the plane of the detector are offset by approximately five degrees.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board on which at least a portion of the circuit means is mounted, the circuit board being secured to the housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 12, further comprising means on the mounting means for attaching the mounting means to the circuit board.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 13, wherein the attaching means comprises at least one post integrally formed on the mounting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the circuit means comprises an amplifier having an input that receives the output signal of the detector, a comparator having an input electrically connected to an output of the amplifier, a load control having an input electrically connected to an output of the comparator, and a load electrically connected between an output of the load control and a source of alternating current power.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 14, further comprising a transformerless direct current power supply connected to the alternating current power source and having a direct current common bus connected to a neutral conductor of the alternating current power source, wherein the common bus and neutral conductor are both connected to earth potential.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
80 words
A motion sensor assembly, comprising: an infrared detector; a lens; a holder having a body; means formed on the body for receiving and securing the lens in the holder; and means formed on the body for receiving and securing the infrared detector in the holder such that a plane along a longitudinal length of the lens is offset from a plane along a longitudinal length of the detector so as to reduce internal reflections between the lens and the detector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
80 words
A motion sensor assembly, comprising: an infrared detector; a lens; a holder having a body; means formed on the body for receiving and securing the lens in the holder; and means formed on the body for receiving and securing the infrared detector in the holder such that a plane along a longitudinal length of the lens is offset from a plane along a longitudinal length of the detector so as to reduce internal reflections between the lens and the detector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the body is a two-piece assembly having first and second pieces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 18, wherein the first and second pieces have means formed thereon for matingly connecting with one another.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 19, wherein the mating means comprises at least one plug formed on the first body piece that is received in a corresponding socket formed in the second body piece.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 17, further comprising means formed on the body for mounting the holder adjacent an opening in a housing such that no portion of the motion sensor assembly extends through the opening and the motion sensor assembly is concealed from view within an interior space of the housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 21, wherein the mounting means comprises at least one post on the body for attachment to a circuit board mounted to the housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 22, wherein the body, lens, and circuit board form a seal around the detector to shield the detector from air currents that can affect the sensitivity of the detector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the lens receiving and securing means comprises a groove formed in a portion of the body that receives a periphery of the lens.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the detector receiving and securing means comprises a slot into which the detector is disposed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
63 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 25, wherein the body is a two-piece assembly having first and second mating pieces, wherein the slot is formed on the first piece and is open on one end, and wherein a stop is formed on the second piece that lies adjacent the open end of the slot when the first and second pieces are matingly connected.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the plane of the lens and the plane of the detector are offset by approximately five degrees.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the body forms a sink for infrared energy absorbed by the detector.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the lens is a Fresnel lens having at least one lens element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
129 words
A motion sensor assembly, comprising: an infrared detector, the detector outputting a signal responsive to infrared energy radiated from a source; a lens, the lens and detector being oriented so that the lens focuses a field of view on the detector so that when the source of infrared radiation moves across the field of view, the detector outputs the signal responsive to the infrared energy radiated from the source; circuit means for providing a signal in response to the output signal of the detector; and a transformerless direct current power supply connected to an alternating current power source and having a direct current common bus connected to a neutral conductor of the alternating current power source, wherein the common bus and neutral conductor are both connected to earth potential.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
129 words
A motion sensor assembly, comprising: an infrared detector, the detector outputting a signal responsive to infrared energy radiated from a source; a lens, the lens and detector being oriented so that the lens focuses a field of view on the detector so that when the source of infrared radiation moves across the field of view, the detector outputs the signal responsive to the infrared energy radiated from the source; circuit means for providing a signal in response to the output signal of the detector; and a transformerless direct current power supply connected to an alternating current power source and having a direct current common bus connected to a neutral conductor of the alternating current power source, wherein the common bus and neutral conductor are both connected to earth potential.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
70 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 30, wherein the circuit means comprises an amplifier having an input that receives the output signal of the detector, a comparator having an input electrically connected to an output of the amplifier, a load control having an input electrically connected to an output of the comparator, and a load electrically connected between an output of the load control and the alternating current power source.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
70 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 31, wherein the amplifier comprises first- and second-stages, the first-stage amplifying the output signal of the detector and filtering the output signal of the detector to reduce electrical noise, an output of the first-stage being capacitively coupled to an input of the second stage, and the second-stage amplifying the change in detector output caused by motion of the source in the field of view.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
61 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 31, wherein the comparator compares a signal output of the amplifier to determine whether the signal output of the amplifier is within a range of values set by a voltage divider of the comparator and outputs a signal to the load control when the signal output of the amplifier is outside the range of values.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
66 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 33, wherein the load control comprises a timer, an input of which is electrically connected to an output of the comparator so as to be triggered by the signal output of the comparator and a triac, an input of which is electrically connected to an output of the timer and an output of which is electrically connected to the load.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 34, wherein the load comprises a lamp.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
104 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 30, further comprising means connected between an input of the transformerless direct current power supply and a line conductor of the alternating current power source for shifting a phase angle of an alternating current drawn by the transformerless direct current power supply from the alternating current power source such that the alternating current drawn by the transformerless direct current power supply is out of phase with an alternating voltage drawn by the transformerless direct current power supply from the alternating current power source so as to reduce the real power consumed by the transformerless direct current power supply.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 36, wherein the phase shifting means comprises a capacitor connected in series with the input of the direct current power supply and the line conductor of the alternating current power source.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
186 words
A motion sensor assembly, comprising: a housing having an interior space bounded by at least one wall, the wall having at least one opening therein; an infrared detector; a lens; means for mounting the lens adjacent the infrared detector and the opening in the wall such that the lens focuses a field of view on the detector so that when a source of infrared radiation moves across the field of view, the detector outputs a signal responsive to infrared energy radiated from the source; a radiation-permeable covering disposed in the opening to conceal elements of the assembly within the interior space of the housing from view; circuit means for providing a signal in response to the output signal of the detector; and wherein the circuit means comprises an amplifier having an input that receives the output signal of the detector, a comparator having an input electrically connected to an output of the amplifier, a load control having an input electrically connected to an output of the comparator, and a load electrically connected between an output of the load control and a source of alternating current power.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
186 words
A motion sensor assembly, comprising: a housing having an interior space bounded by at least one wall, the wall having at least one opening therein; an infrared detector; a lens; means for mounting the lens adjacent the infrared detector and the opening in the wall such that the lens focuses a field of view on the detector so that when a source of infrared radiation moves across the field of view, the detector outputs a signal responsive to infrared energy radiated from the source; a radiation-permeable covering disposed in the opening to conceal elements of the assembly within the interior space of the housing from view; circuit means for providing a signal in response to the output signal of the detector; and wherein the circuit means comprises an amplifier having an input that receives the output signal of the detector, a comparator having an input electrically connected to an output of the amplifier, a load control having an input electrically connected to an output of the comparator, and a load electrically connected between an output of the load control and a source of alternating current power.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
53 words
The motion sensor assembly of claim 38, further comprising a transformerless direct current power supply connected to the alternating current power source and having a direct current common bus connected to a neutral conductor of the alternating current power source, wherein the common bus and neutral conductor are both connected to earth potential.
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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) | 1998-01-09 | 1998-07-11 | 1999-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-09 | 2002-07-11 | 2003-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-09 | 2006-07-11 | 2007-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |