Occupancy sensors

[beaumeri]

I'm looking to buy occupancy sensors for my home automation. I'm looking for hybrid Ultra-sound and PIR that are as discreate as possible.

Anyone have any experience with such device and can reccommend a brand/model?

They wil be connected to a HAI OmniPro II and/or CQC system (might require some extra module). I plan to use z-wave and UPB in this project if it matter. The sensors will be wired.

Also any idea on sensor to trigger light for a staircase that pick up the direction of the motion? I'm installing LED light in every second step in my stair and would like to dim the LED on and off as we go up or down the stairs. (when bottom is triggered start dimming the LED from bottom of the staits to the top then when top sensor is tripped start to close the LED from bottom to top). I have a split staircase so this would require 3 sensors (bottom, middle and top)

Basically I need a narro beam sensor to cover 1 feet by 4 feet wide at each point of the stairs.

Such sensors will also be used in corridors for moving people while occupancy will cover well occupancy...

The combination will also be used for alarm if possible but I have 2 large dogs so I'm not counting to much on this for alarm but more for automation.

PS: I'm also currently looking for RFID system to track the location of my dogs in my home so my home automation system would not trigger some event when the dogs are left alone.

 

[tmbrown97]

I've considered doing something like that on my staircase... but rather than motion sensors with a narrow focus, have you considered pressure pads under the carpet? with some logic you should be able to tell which way a person is going. If you have access the the underside of the stairs, you can also put a pulsor sensor on the steps to detect movement on them.

 

[ano]

I wish you well on this. Sounds like some fairly elaborate plans.

Anyway, I don't think I've ever seen a combination Ultrasonic/Passive IR sensor. Maybe they exist, but not very popular. They do make microwave/Passive IR. In any case, do try to learn more about these detection technologies. Both microwave and Passive IR detect people in unique ways. For example, in a hallway, people only move in two directions. There is no need to detect people moving across a hallway, only down and up a hallway. Adding additional detection sensors to detect people going in a direction they don't go only will increase the likelihood for false alarms and it won't increase detection.

Also, if you are using motion sensors to control lights, realize their limitations or you may have lights that are needed turning off on people. People sitting watching TV don't really "move" all that much. You may want to use even more sensor types to detect people and not just movement.