Patent ID: 8854208

Claim:
A method of wirelessly detecting area changes, the method comprising: storing a plurality of predetermined thresholds in a memory, the plurality of predetermined thresholds comprising time of day, calendar day, and activity, wherein the activity is related to an estimated number of occupants within an area targeted by a wireless sensor; detecting a change in the area targeted by the wireless sensor; executing instructions stored in the memory, wherein execution of the instructions by a processor: masks a portion of the targeted area by modifying a sensitivity threshold associated with the portion of the targeted area, wherein the masked portion of the targeted area is associated with a different sensitivity level than an unmasked portion of the targeted area; determines at least two applicable thresholds out of the plurality of predetermined thresholds stored in the memory, wherein one of the at least two applicable thresholds includes the activity; and determines that the detected change meets the at least two applicable thresholds; wirelessly transmitting information indicating that the detected change meets the at least two thresholds to an associated controller, wherein the associated controller controls power usage of a device associated with the unmasked portion of the area targeted by the wireless sensor, based on the transmitted information; and detecting a change in levels of red-green-blue light in the targeted area, wherein the determination that the detected change meets the two applicable thresholds out of the plurality of predetermined thresholds include: verifying that the detected change in the levels of red-green-blue light is associated with a change in illuminance; and determining that the change in illuminance meets the two applicable thresholds.