Wireless sensor and control

• US 20070281520A1
• Filed: 11/13/2006
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Inventors: Long, James, Insalaco, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/598,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20070281520A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/120
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6633 with inductive component, e.g. transformer
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/16 Rails or bus-bars provided with a plurality of discrete connecting locations for counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/161 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0437 Channels
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0493 Service poles
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/34 using separate protective tubing
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/381 in ceilings
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/388 in modular walls, e.g. wall panels

Abstract

A distributed network (100) having power and communication distribution means (530) includes wireless sensors (1600) for generating spatial state signals. The state signals are received by a wireless coordinator (1700) on the network (530). Application devices (963) are controlled based on the received signals.

Claims

1. In a distributed network for use within an interior environment for selectively energizing one or more controlled application devices, said distributed network comprising:

power distribution means connected to a source of electrical power, for distributing said electrical power through said network;

communication distribution means for distributing communication signals through said network;

a first sensor having at least first and second states, and comprising means for generating spacial state signals indicative of said first sensor being in said first state or said second state;

designation means for a user to designate said first sensor and a first set of said controlled application devices, said first set comprising one or more of said controlled application devices;

means for implementing a control relationship between said first sensor and said first set of controlled application devices, in response to said designation by said user;

signal receiving means responsive to said spacial signals being generated by said first sensor, for receiving such spacial signals; and

means responsive to receipt of said spacial signals by said signal receiving means for generating a first set of said communication signals on said network, and for selectively controlling application of electrical signals to said first set of controlled application devices, based on said spacial state signals.

2. A distributed network in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said signal receiving means comprises a first wireless coordinator electrically connectable to said source of electrical power through said power distribution means, and selectively relocatable at desired positions on said network.

3. A distributed network in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that:

said spacial state signals comprise sensor identification signals identifying said first sensor; and

said wireless coordinator comprises channel means for receiving said sensor identification signals from said first sensor, and for selectively responding to said spacial state signals from said first sensor, based on said sensor identification signals.

4. A distributed network in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that:

said distributed network comprises a plurality of sensors, each of said plurality of sensors having at least first and second states, and further having signal generating means for generating further spacial state signals and further sensor identification signals; and

said wireless coordinator comprises channel selection means for selecting a channel through which said wireless coordinator receives said spacial state signals and said sensor identification signals from one or more of said plurality of sensors.

5. A distributed network in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that said channel selection means comprises a set of manually operable dipswitches.

6. A distributed network in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said wireless coordinator comprises means for generating signals indicative of sensor proxies, so as to generate communication signals enabling said distributed network to communicate with a plurality of wireless sensors.

7. A distributed network in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said first sensor comprises means for selectively generating spacial state signals indicative of a user wishing to apply an on, off, increase or decrease command to said first set of said plurality of controlled application devices.

8. A distributed network in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said first sensor comprises channel selection means selectively operable by a user so as to select a communication channel for association between said first sensor and said signal receiving means.

9. A distributed network in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said first sensor comprises visual means for indicating whether said first sensor is communicatively coupled to said distributed network so that said signal receiving means will recognize spacial state signals generated by said first sensor.