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A space safety apparatus monitoring a volume of space encompassing a field of view (FOV) for detecting an intrusion including a gas or vapor, and includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) having mirror elements in a mirror array for reflecting infra-red (IR) energy beam collected from the FO

A space safety apparatus monitoring a volume of space encompassing a field of view (FOV) for detecting an intrusion including a gas or vapor, and includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) having mirror elements in a mirror array for reflecting infra-red (IR) energy beam collected from the FOV and an IR energy detector for detecting the IR energy reflected by the MEMS array and converting the IR energy to an output signal. A processor adjusts an angle of an element of the MEMS mirror array by varying a control signal, or by switching from one to another focusing element. The method includes detection in a volume of space by positioning a MEMS mirror array to reflect IR signal with respect to active elements of an IR detector; and collecting IR energy from an ith portion of the FOV.

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What is claimed is: 1. A space safety apparatus monitoring a volume of space encompassing a field of view (FOV), said space safety apparatus comprising: a focusing element for focusing an infra-red (IR) energy beam collected from within the volume of space; a filter element for filtering the infra-

What is claimed is: 1. A space safety apparatus monitoring a volume of space encompassing a field of view (FOV), said space safety apparatus comprising: a focusing element for focusing an infra-red (IR) energy beam collected from within the volume of space; a filter element for filtering the infra-red (IR) energy collected from within the volume of space; a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) having mirror elements in a mirror array for reflecting the IR energy beam; an IR energy detector for detecting the IR energy reflected by said MEMS array and converting the IR energy to an output signal; an amplifier for amplifying the output signal; an analog to digital converter for converting the output signal from analog to digital; a processor for processing the output signal; a memory storage for storing the output signal; a controller for adjusting an angle of at least one mirror element of said MEMS mirror array; and an alarm for annunciating detection of an intrusion resulting from a change in amplitude of the output signal corresponding to a change in amplitude of the IR energy beam. 2. The space safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output signal is one of electrical, magnetic, optical, acoustical, pneumatic and hydraulic pressure. 3. The space safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller adjusts an angle by varying a control signal to said at least one mirror element of said MEMS mirror array. 4. The space safety apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control signal is one of electrical, magnetic, optical, acoustical, pneumatic and hydraulic pressure. 5. The space safety apparatus of claim 4, wherein said the control signal is electrical and said controller varies voltage or current of said electrical signal to said MEMS mirror array to cause motion of at least one mirror element of said MEMS mirror array. 6. The space safety apparatus of claim 5, whereby said varying voltage or current causes motion by at least one of thermal expansion and electrostatic force. 7. The space safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller derives a reference signal by switching said MEMS mirror array between the FOV and an IR reference. 8. The space safety apparatus of claim 7, wherein said controller actuates said MEMS mirror array to traverse the FOV of said IR apparatus by traversing the FOV in a chopping mode. 9. The space safety apparatus of claim 8, whereby said traversing of the FOV in a chopping mode is achieved by traversing the FOV in incremental, overlapping steps. 10. The space safety apparatus of claim 8, whereby said traversing of the FOV in a chopping mode is achieved by traversing the FOV in discrete, finite steps. 11. The space safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller actuates said MEMS mirror array to traverse the FOV of said IR space safety apparatus by traversing the FOV in a non-chopping mode. 12. The space safety apparatus of claim 11, whereby said traversing of the FOV in a non-chopping mode is achieved by traversing the FOV in incremental, overlapping steps. 13. The space safety apparatus of claim 11, whereby said traversing of the FOV in a non-chopping mode is achieved by traversing the FOV in discrete, finite steps. 14. The space safety apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an IR source providing a reference value for detecting at least one of tampering with and degradation of said space safety apparatus. 15. The space safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein said MEMS mirror array is comprised of mirror elements each capable of rotation to simulate a finite element representation of a curved mirror. 16. The space safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein said MEMS mirror array is comprised of mirror elements configured to simulate a finite element representation of a flat mirror. 17. The space safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein a detector assembly comprises: said filter element; said MEMS mirror array disposed on a ceramic substrate; and said IR energy beam detector disposed to detect the IR beam reflected by said MEMS array. 18. The space safety apparatus of claim 17, wherein said detector assembly further comprises: a detector assembly housing enclosing at least said filter element; said MEMS mirror array disposed on a ceramic substrate; said IR energy beam detector disposed to detect the IR beam reflected by said MEMS array; and a detector assembly housing base for coupling to said detector assembly housing. 19. The space safety apparatus of claim 18, wherein said detector assembly housing base further comprises at least four pins for coupling to a printed circuit board. 20. The space safety apparatus of claim 19, wherein one of said pins receives power, one of said pins is a ground, one of said pins sends a signal, and one of said pins provides MEMS mirror array control signal. 21. The space safety apparatus of claim 17, wherein said detector assembly is coupled to a printed circuit board. 22. The space safety apparatus of claim 21, wherein said printed circuit board comprises: said amplifier; said analog to digital converter; said processor; said memory storage; said controller for adjusting an angle of at least one mirror element of said MEMS mirror array; and said alarm for annunciating detection of an intrusion. 23. The space safety apparatus of claim 22, wherein said printed circuit board and said detector assembly are disposed within an enclosure housing and disposed on an enclosure base for coupling to said enclosure housing such that said MEMS mirror array within said detector assembly can receive the IR energy beam through a window within said enclosure housing. 24. The space safety apparatus of claim 23, wherein said detector assembly is disposed on said printed circuit board such that said MEMS mirror array within said detector assembly is parallel to said printed circuit board and said printed circuit board is disposed at an angle of about 30째 to 45째 with respect to said enclosure base. 25. The space safety apparatus of claim 23, wherein said window is comprised of at least one focusing element for focusing the IR energy beam. 26. The space safety apparatus of claim 23, wherein said enclosure housing further comprises an IR source disposed in proximity to said window such that said MEMS mirror array can receive and reflect IR energy from said IR source onto said IR detector elements, said IR source providing a reference value for detecting at least one of tampering with and degradation of said space safety apparatus. 27. The space safety apparatus of claim 17, wherein said detector assembly further comprises a viewing port and said mirror elements of said MEMS mirror array are disposed within the detector assembly. 28. The space safety apparatus of claim 27, wherein said mirror elements are start and end position mirror elements. 29. The space safety apparatus of claim 28, wherein said start and end position mirror elements are configured in rows and columns. 30. The space safety apparatus of claim 29, wherein all rows and columns of said start and end position mirror elements are oriented in start and end positions such that all of said mirror elements view inside said detector assembly housing. 31. The space safety apparatus of claim 30, wherein at least a portion of said rows and columns of said start and end position mirror elements are oriented in start and end positions such that at least a portion of said mirror elements view outside said detector assembly housing. 32. A space safety apparatus monitoring a volume of space encompassing a field of view (FOV), said space safety apparatus for detecting an intrusion within the volume of space, said space safety apparatus comprising: a plurality of focusing elements for focusing an infra-red (IR) energy beam collected from within the volume of space; a filter element for filtering the IR energy beam collected from within the volume of space; a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirror array for reflecting the IR energy beam; an IR signal detector for detecting the IR energy beam reflected by said MEMS array and converting the IR beam to an electrical signal; an amplifier for amplifying the output signal; an analog to digital converter for converting the output signal from analog to digital; a processor for processing the output signal; a memory storage for storing the output signal; a controller for adjusting said MEMS array by switching from one to another of said plurality of focusing elements; and an alarm for annunciating detection of an intrusion resulting from a change in amplitude of the electrical signal corresponding to a change in amplitude of the IR energy beam. 33. The space safety apparatus of claim 32, wherein the output signal is one of electrical, magnetic, optical, acoustical, pneumatic and hydraulic pressure. 34. The space safety apparatus of claim 32, wherein said controller derives a reference signal by switching said MEMS mirror array between the FOV and an IR reference. 35. The space safety apparatus of claim 32, wherein said plurality of focusing elements comprises at least one of (a) a lens element and (b) a mirror focusing element. 36. The space safety apparatus of claim 32, wherein said controller adjusts said MEMS array by switching from one to another of said plurality of focusing elements by traversing the FOV in a non-chopping mode. 37. The space safety apparatus of claim 36, whereby said traversing of the FOV in a non-chopping mode is achieved by traversing the FOV in incremental, overlapping steps. 38. The space safety apparatus of claim 36, whereby said traversing of the FOV in a non-chopping mode is achieved by traversing the FOV in discrete, finite steps. 39. The space safety apparatus of claim 38, wherein said controller actuates said MEMS mirror array to traverse the FOV of said IR detection apparatus by traversing the FOV in a chopping mode. 40. The space safety apparatus of claim 39, whereby said traversing of the FOV in a chopping mode is achieved by traversing the FOV in incremental, overlapping steps. 41. The space safety apparatus of claim 39, whereby said traversing of the FOV in a chopping mode is achieved by traversing the FOV in discrete, finite steps. 42. The space safety apparatus of claim 32, further comprising an IR source providing a reference value for detecting at least one of tampering with and degradation of said intrusion detection apparatus. 43. The space safety apparatus of claim 32, wherein said MEMS mirror array is comprised of mirror elements each capable of rotation to simulate a finite element representation of a curved mirror. 44. The space safety apparatus of claim 32 wherein said MEMS mirror array is comprised of mirror elements configured to simulate a finite element representation of a flat mirror. 45. The space safety apparatus of claim 32 wherein a detector assembly comprises: said filter element; said plurality of focusing elements; said MEMS mirror array disposed on a ceramic substrate; and said IR energy beam detector disposed to detect the IR beam reflected by said MEMS array. 46. The space safety apparatus of claim 45, wherein said detector assembly further comprises: a detector assembly housing, said detector assembly housing enclosing at least: said plurality of focusing elements; said filter element; said MEMS mirror array disposed on a ceramic substrate; said IR energy beam detector disposed to detect the IR beam reflected by said MEMS array; and a detector assembly housing base for coupling to said detector assembly housing. 47. The space safety apparatus of claim 46, wherein said detector assembly housing base further comprises at least four pins for coupling to a printed circuit board. 48. The space safety apparatus of claim 47, wherein one of said pins receives power, one of said pins is a ground, one of said pins sends a signal, and one of said pins provides MEMS control signal. 49. The space safety apparatus of claim 47, wherein said detector assembly is coupled to a printed circuit board. 50. The space safety apparatus of claim 47, wherein said printed circuit board comprises: said amplifier; said analog to digital converter; said processor; said memory storage; said controller; and said alarm. 51. The space safety apparatus of claim 50, wherein said printed circuit board and said detector assembly are disposed within an enclosure housing and disposed on an enclosure base for coupling to said enclosure housing such that said MEMS mirror array within said detector assembly can receive the IR energy beam through a window within said enclosure housing. 52. The space safety apparatus of claim 51, wherein said detector assembly is disposed on said printed circuit board such that said MEMS mirror array within said detector assembly is parallel to said printed circuit board and said printed circuit board is disposed at an angle of about 30째 to 45째 with respect to said enclosure base. 53. The space safety apparatus of claim 51, wherein said window is comprised of a focusing element for focusing the IR energy beam. 54. The space safety apparatus of claim 51, wherein said enclosure housing further comprises an IR source disposed in proximity to said window such that said MEMS mirror array can receive and reflect IR energy from said IR source onto said IR detector elements, said IR source providing a reference value for detecting at least one of tampering with and degradation of said intrusion detection apparatus. 55. The space safety apparatus of claim 45, wherein said detector assembly further comprises a viewing port and said mirror elements of said MEMS mirror array are disposed within the detector assembly. 56. The space safety apparatus of claim 55, wherein said mirror elements are start and end position mirror elements. 57. The space safety apparatus of claim 56, wherein said start and end position mirror elements are configured in rows and columns. 58. The space safety apparatus of claim 57, wherein all rows and columns of said start and end position mirror elements are oriented in start and end positions such that all of said mirror elements view inside said detector assembly housing. 59. The space safety apparatus of claim 58, wherein at least a portion of said rows and columns of said start and end position mirror elements are oriented in start and end positions such that at least a portion of said mirror elements view outside said detector assembly housing. 60. A method of detecting an intrusion in a volume of space encompassing a field of view (FOV), the method comprising the steps of: a) positioning a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirror array of rows and columns of mirror elements to reflect an infra-red (IR) energy beam with respect to active elements of an IR detector corresponding to the FOV; and b) collecting the IR energy from an ith portion of the FOV at a pre-determined scan rate. 61. The method according to claim 60, wherein the step (b) of collecting the IR energy from an ith portion of the FOV at a pre-determined scan rate comprises the steps of: (b'1) focusing the IR energy beam; (b'2) filtering the IR energy beam; (b'3) reflecting the IR energy beam by the MEMS mirror array onto a detector; (b'4) detecting the IR energy beam by means of the detector; (b'5) converting the IR energy beam to an output signal; (b'6) amplifying the output signal; (b'7) converting the output signal from analog to digital; and (b'8) processing the output signal by means of a processor prior to annunciating detection. 62. The method of claim 61, wherein the output signal is one of electrical, magnetic, optical, acoustical, pneumatic and hydraulic pressure. 63. The method according to claim 61, further comprising the step of: (b'9) controlling the MEMS mirror array to measure all active mirror elements corresponding to the entire field of view by scanning. 64. The method according to claim 61, wherein the step (b) of collecting the IR energy from an ith portion of the FOV includes the steps of at least one of: b1') actuating the MEMS mirror to traverse the FOV; and b1") directing a signal controller to adjust the MEMS mirror to switch from one to another focusing element of said MEMS mirror array. 65. The method according to claim 64, wherein at least one of the step (b1') of actuating the MEMS mirror to traverse the FOV, and (b1") directing a signal controller to adjust the MEMS mirror to switch from one to another focusing element includes the steps of at least one of: b2) traversing the FOV in a non-chopping mode, and b3) traversing the FOV in a chopping mode. 66. The method according to claim 65, wherein the step (b2) of traversing the FOV in a non-chopping mode includes the steps of at least one of: b2') traversing the FOV in incremental, overlapping steps; and b2") traversing the FOV in discrete, finite steps. 67. The method according to claim 65, wherein the step (b3) of traversing the FOV in a chopping mode includes the steps of at least one of: b3') traversing the FOV in incremental, overlapping steps; and b3") traversing the FOV in discrete, finite steps. 68. The method according to claim 65, wherein said step (b5) of said control signal is electrical and varying of voltage or current causes motion by at least one of thermal expansion and electrostatic force. 69. The method according to claim 65, wherein the step (b2) of traversing the FOV in a non-chopping mode produces an output signal with a peak value such that a shift in the peak value indicates movement of a heat source within the FOV. 70. The method according to claim 65, wherein the step (b3) of traversing the FOV in a chopping mode produces an output signal with a plurality of peak values such that a shift in amplitude of at least one of the plurality of peak values indicates movement of a heat source within the FOV. 71. The method according to claim 64, wherein said focusing element comprises at least one of (a) a lens element; and (b) a mirror focusing element. 72. The method according to claim 60, further comprising the steps of: (c) determining whether all active mirror elements corresponding to the entire field of view have been measured by the scan; d1) if no, repeating step (b); d2) if yes, storing the scan of the field of view; e) processing the results of the scan; f) determining if an intrusion has been detected based on the results of the scan by detecting a change in the IR energy beam level; g1) if yes, annunciating an alarm; g2) if maybe, returning to step (b) of collecting IR energy from an ith portion of a field of view (FOV) by re-scanning a limited volume of the space where an intrusion appears to be detected, and g3) if no, returning to step (b). 73. The method according to claim 72, wherein the step of (g2) of re-scanning a limited volume of the space where an intrusion appears to be detected includes the steps of at least one of: g2') re-scanning at the pre-determined scan rate; and g2") re-scanning at a different scan rate. 74. The method according to claim 60, wherein the step (b) of collecting the IR energy from an ith portion of the FOV includes the step of: b4) adjusting an angle of at least one mirror element of said MEMS mirror array. 75. The method according to claim 74, wherein the step (b4) of adjusting an angle includes the step of: b5) varying a control signal to said at least one mirror element of said MEMS mirror array. 76. The method according to claim 75, wherein the step (b5) of varying a control signal to said at least one mirror element of said MEMS mirror array causes motion of said at least one mirror element of said MEMS mirror array. 77. The method of detecting an intrusion in a volume of space according to claim 60, wherein said mirror elements are start and end position mirror elements disposed in a detector assembly housing having an IR filter window for viewing outside said detector assembly housing, said method comprising the step of: orienting in start and end positions all rows and columns of said mirror elements to view inside said detector assembly housing.