Abstract: The present disclosure describes a detection system and methods for detecting a presence of a person or animal within a confined space with a low false alarm rate. The detection system may include a chemical detector to determine whether respiratory gas concentrations within the confined space exceed a predetermined concentration threshold. The detection system may further include an accelerometer-controlled, range-controlled radar unit to detect movement within the confined space during times in which acceleration of the confined space is less than a predetermined acceleration threshold. In this manner, a measured respiratory gas concentration that initially indicates a presence of a person or animal within the confined space may be confirmed by motion detection.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a period of unusual inactivity of a person is provided. The system comprises a monitoring system, which is in communication with location and motion sensors. The monitoring system comprises a processor-based device programmed to develop a model of the person's periods of inactivity within a structure based on data received from the sensors. The processor-based device may also be programmed to determine if a current period of inactivity within the structure is a period of normal inactivity or a period of unusual inactivity based on the model of the person's periods of inactivity.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring whether a resident is away from home or inactive within the home. A sensor, which includes a transmitter, a processor, a timer, and a detector, watches for motion to occur within a home. Upon sensing motion, the sensor sends a first signal indicative of the motion if the timer is not currently running and waits for the motion to end. If the timer already is running, the timer is restarted at zero. Upon expiration of a predetermined timing period, the sensor transmits a second signal indicative of inactivity. By comparing the timing of the second signal and the predetermined timing period, with a third signal sent by an exterior door sensor, a determination can be made whether the resident has left the home or is inactive within the home. The system includes a database, a CPU and State Model for determining the activity state of a home.