US6166625A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pyroelectric intrusion detection in motor vehicles
Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corp
•
Filing: 1997-07-29
•
Granted: 2000-12-26
•
Expires: 2017-07-29
Abstract
Abstract Pyroelectric detector systems may be used in vehicles for security applications, such as intrusion detection and anti-theft alarms. The pyroelectric detectors are small in size, highly reliable and consume very low power. They can be physically and electrically integrated with other vehicle components, including rear-view mirror assemblies in automobiles, without incurring additional installation costs. They can also be easily integrated into aircraft cockpits.
Inventors
- 👤 Gimtong Teowee
- 👤 Kevin McCarthy
- 👤 Anoop Agrawal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:10
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/10; B60R25/1004; B60R2325/00; B60R2325/30; B60R2325/304
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 105
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of ensuring reliable thermal detection of the presence of a body having a thermal profile in a compartment of a parked motor vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a thermal energy detection system including a pyroelectric detector, said pyroelectric detector having a first pyroelectric sensing element and a second pyroelectric sensing element, said first and second pyroelectric sensing elements arranged in opposed connection, said thermal energy detection system further comprising control circuitry responsive to electrical indicatives generated by said opposed first and second sensing elements; mounting said thermal energy detection system either in a trunk compartment or an interior compartment of the vehicle; monitoring a thermal profile of said trunk compartment or said interior compartment of the vehicle using said thermal energy detection system when the vehicle is parked and operating under vehicle battery power; sensing a change in the thermal profile due to the presence of a moving human body having a temperature different than the thermal profile; and generating a signal indicative of the change in the sensed thermal profile in the trunk compartment or the interior compartment, wherein said thermal energy detection system is responsive to frequencies of change in sensed thermal profile in a restricted frequency range, thereby reducing the chance of a false alarm situation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of ensuring reliable thermal detection of the presence of a body having a thermal profile in a compartment of a parked motor vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a thermal energy detection system including a pyroelectric detector, said pyroelectric detector having a first pyroelectric sensing element and a second pyroelectric sensing element, said first and second pyroelectric sensing elements arranged in opposed connection, said thermal energy detection system further comprising control circuitry responsive to electrical indicatives generated by said opposed first and second sensing elements; mounting said thermal energy detection system either in a trunk compartment or an interior compartment of the vehicle; monitoring a thermal profile of said trunk compartment or said interior compartment of the vehicle using said thermal energy detection system when the vehicle is parked and operating under vehicle battery power; sensing a change in the thermal profile due to the presence of a moving human body having a temperature different than the thermal profile; and generating a signal indicative of the change in the sensed thermal profile in the trunk compartment or the interior compartment, wherein said thermal energy detection system is responsive to frequencies of change in sensed thermal profile in a restricted frequency range, thereby reducing the chance of a false alarm situation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein radiation incident on said pyroelectric detector is filtered to have a wavelength between approximately 8 and 14 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said thermal energy detection system resolves movement of a body at about 37° C. moving at a distance of within about 1 to 5 meters of said pyroelectric detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said thermal energy detection system resolves movement of a body at approximately 37° C. moving at a frequency of approximately 5 Hz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the sensing step senses with a sensitivity greater than approximately 10 5 cm Hz/W.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the sensing step senses with a sensitivity greater than approximately 10 6 cm Hz/W.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than 1 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than 1 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than 0.02 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising: providing a lens, said lens positioned in front of said pyroelectric detector and focusing incident radiation onto said pyroelectric detector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein said lens comprises a material that transmits radiation in approximately the 8 to 14 micron wavelength range.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 11, wherein said lens blocks radiation having a wavelength of approximately 0.3 to 3 microns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said lens comprises a material comprising at least one of Ge, Si, ZnS, CdS and a polyolefin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said lens comprises a polyolefin material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said lens comprises a material including at least one of a polypropylene, a polyethylene and a polymethylpentene material, or a copolymer thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said lens comprises at least one of a fish eye lens, a diffractive optic lens, a wide angle lens and a Fresnel lens.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said lens comprises a plastic lens.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said thermal energy detection system consumes a current of less than approximately 5.0 mA when operating under vehicle battery power.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said thermal energy detection system consumes a current of less than approximately 1.5 mA when operating under vehicle battery power.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said interior compartment comprises a rear-seating area of the vehicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said thermal energy detection system is provided as a module.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said control circuitry comprises an application specific integrated circuit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said opposed pyroelectric sensing elements are arranged in a parallel opposed connection.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said opposed pyroelectric sensing elements are arranged in a series opposed connection.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said restricted frequency range is between approximately 0.5 Hz and 10 Hz.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said signal generating step will not generate a signal for changes in the sensed thermal profile that are less than approximately 0.5 Hz.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
264 words
A method of ensuring reliable thermal detection of the presence of a body having a thermal profile in a compartment of a parked motor vehicle comprising the steps of; providing a thermal energy detection system including a pyroelectric detector, said pyroelectric detector comprising a first pyroelectric sensing element and a second pyroelectric sensing element, said first and second pyroelectric sensing elements arranged in opposed connection, said thermal energy detection system further comprising control circuitry responsive to electrical indicatives generated by said opposed first and second sensing elements; mounting said thermal energy detection system either in a trunk compartment or an interior compartment of the vehicle; monitoring a thermal profile of said trunk compartment or said interior compartment of the vehicle using said thermal energy detection system when the vehicle is parked and operating under vehicle battery power; sensing a change in the thermal profile due to the presence of a moving human body having a temperature different than the thermal profile; and generating a signal indicative of the change in the sensed thermal profile in either the trunk compartment or the interior compartment, wherein said thermal energy detection system resolves movement of a human body at approximately 37° C. moving at a distance of approximately 1 to 5 meters of said pyroelectric detector, whereby thermal radiation emitted by said moving human body incident on at least one of said first pyroelectric sensing element and said second pyroelectric sensing element generates an output of said thermal energy detection system indicative of presence of a human body in either the trunk compartment or the interior compartment.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
264 words
A method of ensuring reliable thermal detection of the presence of a body having a thermal profile in a compartment of a parked motor vehicle comprising the steps of; providing a thermal energy detection system including a pyroelectric detector, said pyroelectric detector comprising a first pyroelectric sensing element and a second pyroelectric sensing element, said first and second pyroelectric sensing elements arranged in opposed connection, said thermal energy detection system further comprising control circuitry responsive to electrical indicatives generated by said opposed first and second sensing elements; mounting said thermal energy detection system either in a trunk compartment or an interior compartment of the vehicle; monitoring a thermal profile of said trunk compartment or said interior compartment of the vehicle using said thermal energy detection system when the vehicle is parked and operating under vehicle battery power; sensing a change in the thermal profile due to the presence of a moving human body having a temperature different than the thermal profile; and generating a signal indicative of the change in the sensed thermal profile in either the trunk compartment or the interior compartment, wherein said thermal energy detection system resolves movement of a human body at approximately 37° C. moving at a distance of approximately 1 to 5 meters of said pyroelectric detector, whereby thermal radiation emitted by said moving human body incident on at least one of said first pyroelectric sensing element and said second pyroelectric sensing element generates an output of said thermal energy detection system indicative of presence of a human body in either the trunk compartment or the interior compartment.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein said thermal energy detection system is responsive to frequencies of change in sensed thermal profile in a restricted frequency range.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 28, wherein said restricted frequency range is between approximately 0.5 Hz and 10 Hz.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein radiation incident on said pyroelectric detector is filtered so as to having a wavelength approximately between 8 to 14 microns.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein said thermal energy detection system resolves movement of a body at approximately 37° C. moving at a frequency of approximately 5 Hz.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein the sensing step senses with a sensitivity greater than approximately 10 5 cm Hz/W.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein the sensing step senses with a sensitivity greater than approximately 10 6 cm Hz/W.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than approximately 1 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than approximately 0.1 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than approximately 0.02 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 27, further comprising: providing a lens, said lens positioned in front of said pyroelectric detector and focusing incident radiation onto said pyroelectric detector.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 37, wherein said lens blocks radiation having a wavelength of approximately 0.3 to 3 microns.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said lens comprises a polyolefin material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said lens comprises a material comprising at least one of a polypropylene, a polyethylene and a polymethylpentene material, or a copolymer thereof.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said lens comprises at least one of a fish eye lens, a diffractive optic lens, a wide angle lens and a Fresnel lens.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said lens comprises a plastic lens.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 37, wherein said lens comprises a material that transmits radiation with a wavelength between approximately 8 and 14 microns.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 43, wherein said lens comprises a material comprising at least one of Ge, Si, ZnS, CdS and a polyolefin.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said thermal energy detection system consumes a current of less than approximately 5.0 mA when operating under vehicle battery power.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said thermal energy detection system consumes a current of less than approximately 1.5 mA when operating under vehicle battery power.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said interior compartment comprises a rear-seating area of the vehicle.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said thermal energy detection system is provided as a module.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said control circuitry comprises an application specific integrated circuit.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said opposed sensing elements are arranged in a parallel opposed connection.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said opposed sensing elements are arranged in a series opposed connection.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said signal generating step will not generate a signal for frequencies of change in sensed thermal profile that are less than approximately 0.5 Hz.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
248 words
A method of ensuring reliable thermal detection of the presence of a body in a compartment of a parked motor vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a thermal energy detection system including a pyroelectric detector, said pyroelectric detector comprising a first pyroelectric sensing element and a second pyroelectric sensing element, said first and second pyroelectric sensing elements arranged in opposed connection, said thermal energy detection system further comprising control circuitry responsive to electrical indicatives generated by said opposed first and second sensing elements; mounting said thermal energy detection system either in a trunk compartment or an interior compartment of the vehicle; monitoring a thermal profile of either said trunk compartment or said interior compartment of the vehicle using said thermal energy detection system when the vehicle is parked and operating under vehicle battery power; sensing a change in the thermal profile due to the presence of a moving human body having a temperature different than the thermal profile; and generating a signal indicative of the change in the sensed thermal profile in either the trunk compartment or the interior compartment, wherein said opposed sensors are arranged in one of a parallel opposed connection and series opposed connection, whereby thermal radiation emitted by said moving human body incident on at least one of said first pyroelectric sensing element and said second pyroelectric sensing element generates an output of said thermal energy detection system indicative of presence of a human body in either the trunk compartment or said interior compartment.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
248 words
A method of ensuring reliable thermal detection of the presence of a body in a compartment of a parked motor vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a thermal energy detection system including a pyroelectric detector, said pyroelectric detector comprising a first pyroelectric sensing element and a second pyroelectric sensing element, said first and second pyroelectric sensing elements arranged in opposed connection, said thermal energy detection system further comprising control circuitry responsive to electrical indicatives generated by said opposed first and second sensing elements; mounting said thermal energy detection system either in a trunk compartment or an interior compartment of the vehicle; monitoring a thermal profile of either said trunk compartment or said interior compartment of the vehicle using said thermal energy detection system when the vehicle is parked and operating under vehicle battery power; sensing a change in the thermal profile due to the presence of a moving human body having a temperature different than the thermal profile; and generating a signal indicative of the change in the sensed thermal profile in either the trunk compartment or the interior compartment, wherein said opposed sensors are arranged in one of a parallel opposed connection and series opposed connection, whereby thermal radiation emitted by said moving human body incident on at least one of said first pyroelectric sensing element and said second pyroelectric sensing element generates an output of said thermal energy detection system indicative of presence of a human body in either the trunk compartment or said interior compartment.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 53, wherein the radiation incident on said pyroelectric detector is filtered to have a wavelength of approximately 8 to 14 microns.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 53, wherein said thermal energy detection system resolves movement of a body at about 37° C. moving at a distance of approximately 1 to 5 meters of said pyroelectric detector.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 53, wherein said thermal energy detection system resolves movement of a body at approximately 37° C. moving at a frequency of approximately 5 Hz.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 53, wherein the sensing step senses with a sensitivity greater than approximately 10 5 cm Hz/W.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 53, wherein the sensing step senses with a sensitivity greater than approximately 10 6 cm Hz/W.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 53, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than approximately 1 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 53, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than approximately 0.1 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 53, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than approximately 0.02 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 53, further comprising: providing a lens, said lens positioned in front of said pyroelectric detector and focusing incident radiation onto said pyroelectric detector.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 62, wherein said lens comprises a material that transmits radiation with a wavelength between approximately 8 and 14 microns.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 63, wherein said lens blocks radiation having a wavelength of approximately 0.3 to 3 microns.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 63, wherein said lens comprises a material comprising at least one of Ge, Si, ZnS, CdS and a polyolefin.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 62, wherein said lens comprises a polyolefin material.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 62, wherein said lens comprises a material comprising at least one of a polypropylene, a polyethylene and a polymethylpentene material, or a copolymer thereof.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 62, wherein said lens comprises at least one of a fish eye lens, a diffractive optic lens, a wide angle lens and a Fresnel lens.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 62, wherein said lens comprises a plastic lens.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 53, wherein said thermal energy detection system consumes a current of less than approximately 5.0 mA when operating under vehicle battery power.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 53, wherein said thermal energy detection system consumes a current of less than approximately 1.5 mA when operating under vehicle battery power.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 53, wherein said interior compartment comprises a rear-seating area of the vehicle.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 53, wherein said thermal energy detection system is provided as a module.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 53, wherein said control circuitry comprises an application specific integrated circuit.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 53, wherein said opposed sensing elements are arranged in a parallel opposed connection.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 53, wherein said opposed sensing elements are arranged in a series opposed connection.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 53, wherein said signal generating step will not generate a signal for frequencies of change in sensed thermal profile that are less than approximately 0.5 Hz.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
251 words
A method of ensuring reliable thermal detection of the presence of a body in a compartment of a parked motor vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a thermal energy detection system including a pyroelectric detector, said pyroelectric detector comprising a first pyroelectric sensing element and a second pyroelectric sensing element, said first and second pyroelectric sensing elements arranged in opposed connection, said thermal energy detection system further comprising control circuitry responsive to electrical indicatives generated by said opposed first and second sensing elements; mounting said thermal energy detection system either in a trunk compartment or an interior compartment of the vehicle; monitoring a thermal profile of either said trunk compartment or said interior compartment of the vehicle using said thermal energy detection system when the vehicle is parked and operating under vehicle battery power; sensing a change in the thermal profile due to the presence of a moving human body having a temperature different than the thermal profile; and generating a signal indicative of the change in the sensed thermal profile in either the trunk compartment or the interior compartment; wherein said thermal energy detection system consumes a current of less than 5.0 mA when operating under vehicle battery power, whereby thermal radiation emitted by said moving human body incident on at least one of said first pyroelectric sensing element and said second pyroelectric sensing element generates an output of said thermal energy detection system indicative of presence of a human body in either the trunk compartment or said interior compartment.
Claim 82
Independent Claim
251 words
A method of ensuring reliable thermal detection of the presence of a body in a compartment of a parked motor vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a thermal energy detection system including a pyroelectric detector, said pyroelectric detector comprising a first pyroelectric sensing element and a second pyroelectric sensing element, said first and second pyroelectric sensing elements arranged in opposed connection, said thermal energy detection system further comprising control circuitry responsive to electrical indicatives generated by said opposed first and second sensing elements; mounting said thermal energy detection system either in a trunk compartment or an interior compartment of the vehicle; monitoring a thermal profile of either said trunk compartment or said interior compartment of the vehicle using said thermal energy detection system when the vehicle is parked and operating under vehicle battery power; sensing a change in the thermal profile due to the presence of a moving human body having a temperature different than the thermal profile; and generating a signal indicative of the change in the sensed thermal profile in either the trunk compartment or the interior compartment; wherein said thermal energy detection system consumes a current of less than 5.0 mA when operating under vehicle battery power, whereby thermal radiation emitted by said moving human body incident on at least one of said first pyroelectric sensing element and said second pyroelectric sensing element generates an output of said thermal energy detection system indicative of presence of a human body in either the trunk compartment or said interior compartment.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 78, wherein the radiation incident on said pyroelectric detector is filtered to have a wavelength of approximately 8 to 14 microns.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 78, wherein said thermal energy detection system resolves movement of a body at about 37° C. moving at a distance of approximately 1 to 5 meters of said pyroelectric detector.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 78, wherein said thermal energy detection system resolves movement of a body at approximately 37° C. moving at a frequency of approximately 5 Hz.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 78, wherein the sensing step senses with a sensitivity greater than approximately 10 5 cm Hz/W.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 78, wherein the sensing step senses with a sensitivity greater than approximately 10 6 cm Hz/W.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 78, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than approximately 1 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 78, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than approximately 0.1 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 78, wherein said thermal energy detection system has a power consumption of less than approximately 0.02 Watt when connected to vehicle battery power and when the vehicle is in the parked state.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 78, further comprising: providing a lens, said lens positioned in front of said pyroelectric detector and focusing incident radiation onto said pyroelectric detector.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 78, wherein said lens comprises a material that transmits radiation with a wavelength between approximately 8 and 14 microns.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 78 wherein said lens blocks radiation having a wavelength of approximately 0.3 to 3 microns.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 78 wherein said lens comprises a material comprising at least one of Ge, Si, ZnS, CdS and a polyolefin.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said lens comprises a polyolefin material.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said lens comprises a material comprising at least one of a polypropylene, a polyethylene and a polymethylpentene material, or a copolymer thereof.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said lens comprises at least one of a fish eye lens, a diffractive optic lens, a wide angle lens and a Fresnel lens.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said thermal energy detection system consumes a current of less than approximately 1.5 mA when operating under vehicle battery power.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said interior compartment comprises a rear-seating area of the vehicle.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said thermal energy detection system is provided as a module.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said lens comprises a plastic lens.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said control circuitry comprises an application specific integrated circuit.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said opposed sensing elements are arranged in a parallel opposed connection.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said opposed sensing elements are arranged in a series opposed connection.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said signal generating step will not generate a signal for frequencies of change in sensed thermal profile that are less than approximately 0.5 Hz.
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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