Patent US 5,576,972

An intelligent area monitoring system having a field sensor, a neural network computer, and a communications apparatus is disclosed. The system has the capability of detecting and monitoring the location and identity of people, animals, and objects within an indoor or outdoor area for the purpose of intrusion detection, theft deterrence, and accident prevention. The neural network computer accepts the input signals from the field sensor and forms a virtual model of the monitored area from the input. Any changes that occur within the monitored area are communicated to system users. The sensors can be active or passive, analog or binary, and the system is optimally configured with a mix of different sensor types such as vibration, sound, infrared, optical, microwave, and ultrasonic. Each analog sensor provides an analog output which varies in proportion to the size and distance of its target. After monitoring changes in the space being monitored and identifying various objects within the space, the neural network computer communicates such information to the user.