Siemens Building Technologies Ag

Martin Rechsteiner

Hansj&uuml;rg Mahler

Rolf Abrach

The presence detector has a passive infrared sensor for detecting the presence of persons in a room, an image sensor operating in the visible spectral range and an electronic evaluator for the evaluation of signals from these sensors. The signal from the passive infrared sensor is used to actuate the image sensor and, if necessary, to switch on the room lighting. Once activated, the image sensor is used to detect both movement and occupancy of a space being monitored. Application of the presence detector for the &ldquo;on-demand&rdquo; activation and/or control of conditioning facilities of a room, wherein the signals of both sensors are used for the control of the conditioning facility.

Presence detector and its application

Included in an arrangement for spatial monitoring or surveillance are an image sensor ( ), a presence/movement detector ( ), and control and evaluation electronics ( ) with a processor stage ( ) for evaluating signals from the sensor ( ) and detector ( ) in combination. Imaged objects can be categorized on the basis of their geometry and movement. The signal from the detector ( ) can be used in interpreting sensed images.

Arrangement for spatial monitoring

A device having an image-providing sensor, hereinafter designated as &ldquo;image sensor,&rdquo; operating in the visible and near-infrared range, an thermal image-providing sensor, hereinafter designated as &ldquo;thermal-image sensor,&rdquo; operating in the thermal radiation range and having a lower resolution than the image sensor, and an electronic evaluation system. The evaluation system determines whether one or both of the signals generated by the sensors are used for determining whether an alarm condition exists. As a result, the detectability of low-contrast objects is increased, the false alarm rate is reduced, and object classification is made possible.

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Männedorf, Switzerland

Martin Rechsteiner