초록 ▼

A sensor implemented with a single light sensing device detects ambient light levels and object motion. The sensor comprises an optical component assembly composed of a linear array of light sensitive elements, preferably photodiodes, positioned downstream of a segmented slit aperture device compris

A sensor implemented with a single light sensing device detects ambient light levels and object motion. The sensor comprises an optical component assembly composed of a linear array of light sensitive elements, preferably photodiodes, positioned downstream of a segmented slit aperture device comprising a single, segmented slit, the slit length of which is oriented perpendicular to the length of the linear array. The individual photodiodes of the array provide motion detection capability in a direction perpendicular to the slit length. The slit aperture is segmented along the slit length to form multiple zones of sensor light responsivity that provide motion detection capability in a direction parallel to the slit length. An object moving in a direction parallel to the multiple slit aperture passes through one or more zones of sensor responsivity and thereby produces from the photodiodes a varying electrical signal from which object motion can be detected. A processor in a first mode detects an ambient light level and in a second mode detects object motion. In the first mode, the processor determines the average amount of light received by the entire photodiode array by computing an average of light signal data values derived from the photodiodes in response to the quantities of light they receive during an exposure time. In the second mode, the processor compares light signal data values acquired at different times for corresponding photodiodes to detect differences in light intensities of adjacent zones of sensor responsivity to detect object motion. The processor is capable of concurrently performing the first and second modes.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] An integral ambient light and occupancy sensor having an overall angular field of view, comprising:a linear array of light sensitive elements, the array having an array length and the light sensitive elements producing light signals representing quantities of light incident on them;

[ I claim:] [1.] An integral ambient light and occupancy sensor having an overall angular field of view, comprising:a linear array of light sensitive elements, the array having an array length and the light sensitive elements producing light signals representing quantities of light incident on them;a segmented slit aperture device having a slit aperture defined by a slit length and a slit width that is much smaller than the array length, the slit aperture device positioned a distance away from the linear array and oriented so that the slit length crosses the linear array in a transverse direction, the distance between the linear array and the slit aperture device contributing to the overall angular field of view of the sensor, and the slit aperture being segmented along the slit length to form multiple zones of light responsivity for the linear array along the slit length; anda processor operatively connected to the linear array to process light data values corresponding to the light signals, the processor operable in first and second modes, in the first mode the processor determining from the light data values a quantity representing an average measure of the light incident on the linear array, and in the second mode the processor determining from light data values acquired at different times for corresponding light sensitive elements to detect the existence of object motion within the overall angular field of view of the sensor.