360 degrees direction type human information sensor

The 360 degrees direction type human information sensor has been developed using a pyroelectric infrared detector. This sensor attached to the ceiling can detect the number of occupants, their locations and movements. The sen sor module consists of a one-dimensional array detector made of pyroelectri c ceramics (PbTiO3), an infrared transparent lens, a 360 degrees rotary sca nning mechanism and a 3 degrees chopping mechanism. Data on human condition s can be computed from the thermal distribution by the human detecting algo rithm. The pyroelectric array detector fabricated by a new process has suff icient sensitivity for 20 Hz chopping frequency. The array detector rotatin g mechanism allows the sensor to have a wide view (10 m diameter). With the human detecting algorithm, data on humans such as the number of occupants and their locations can be detected with 73% accuracy in 389 samples (97% a ccuracy in case of allowing +/-1 person). Human information obtained by thi s sensor can contribute to energy saving when applied to the control of air conditioners and lighting systems. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All righ ts reserved.