Glass break detector

Abstract

A glass break sensor can optionally include a sensor unit sized and shaped to fit between panes of a glass, such as in a multi-pane window. The sensor unit can optionally include a sensor, a glass break detector circuit configured to input from the sensor and declare a glass break event when specified criteria are satisfied, and a wake-up circuit configured to detect a wake-up event and wake up the glass break detector circuit when one or more wake up criteria are satisfied. A glass break detector assembly can optionally include a first pane, a second pane and a glass break sensor between the first pane and the second pane.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system comprising:
 a multiple-pane window assembly including a first cavity bounded at least in part by first and second panes of the window assembly; and   a sensor in communication with the cavity and configured to detect a break in the first or second pane of the assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a solar cell coupled to the window assembly and configured to provide a power signal to the sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a detector circuit configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor and configured to use the sensor signal to determine whether the first pane or the second pane is broken;   wherein the solar cell is configured to provide the power signal to the detector circuit.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a mechanical energy harvesting circuit coupled to the window assembly, the mechanical energy harvesting circuit configured to generate a power signal from movement of a component of the window assembly and the mechanical energy harvesting circuit configured to provide the power signal to the sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a detector circuit configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor and configured to use the sensor signal to determine whether the first pane or the second pane is broken;   wherein the mechanical energy harvesting circuit is configured to provide the power signal to the detector circuit.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor that is configured to detect a pressure change in the first cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises an acoustic sensor that is configured to detect sounds in the first cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises a light sensor that is configured to detect a change in a wavelength of light in the first cavity or to detect a change in an amount of light in the first cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises a magnetic field sensor that is configured to detect a change in a magnetic field. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer that is configured to detect movement of a part of the multiple-pane window assembly. 
     
     
         12 . A glass break detector comprising:
 a first sensor configured to be provided in a cavity that is defined at least in part by opposed surfaces of first and second panes of a window, the first sensor configured to provide a first sensor signal indicating a property of the cavity; and   a detector circuit configured to receive the first sensor signal from the first sensor and determine whether the first pane or second pane is damaged based on the property of the cavity indicated by the first sensor signal.   
     
     
         13 . The glass break detector of  claim 12 , further comprising a solar cell coupled to the window and configured to provide a power signal to one or both of the first sensor and the detector circuit. 
     
     
         14 . The glass break detector of  claim 12 , further comprising a mechanical energy harvesting circuit configured to provide a power signal to one or both of the first sensor and the detector circuit, and wherein the mechanical energy harvesting circuit harvests energy from movement of the window. 
     
     
         15 . The glass break detector of  claim 12 , further comprising a wake-up circuit configured to detect a wake-up event based on information from the first sensor or from a second sensor and initiate the detector circuit in response to the wake-up event. 
     
     
         16 . The glass break detector of  claim 15 , further comprising the second sensor, wherein the first sensor is a pressure sensor configured to provide a pressure signal indicating a pressure in the cavity, and wherein the second sensor is an acoustic sensor configured to provide acoustic information indicating a potential window pane damage event. 
     
     
         17 . The glass break detector of  claim 12 , wherein the first sensor comprises one or more of:
 a pressure sensor that is configured to detect a pressure change in the cavity;   a light sensor that is configured to detect a change in a wavelength or a change in an amount of light in the cavity;   an acoustic sensor that is configured to detect sound in the cavity;   a magnetic field sensor that is configured to detect a change in a magnetic field in or near the cavity; and   an accelerometer that is configured to detect movement of a component of the window.   
     
     
         18 . A method for detecting a break event, the method comprising:
 using a first sensor, sensing information about a property of a window cavity, the window cavity bounded at least in part by a first pane and a second pane of a window assembly; and   using a processor circuit and the information about the property of the window cavity from the first sensor, determining whether at least one of the first pane and the second pane of the window assembly is broken.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising harvesting solar energy using a solar cell coupled to the window assembly, and providing a power signal from the solar cell to the first sensor or to the processor circuit. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising harvesting mechanical energy using a mechanical energy harvesting circuit coupled to a movable component of the window assembly, and providing a power signal from the mechanical energy harvesting circuit to the first sensor or to the processor circuit. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the sensing information about a property of a window cavity includes sensing information about a pressure inside the window cavity.