Multifunction sensor and network sensor system

• US 5,971,597 A
• Filed: 10/25/1996
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Baldwin, John R., Batko, Thomas J., Ellison, David F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smithers, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US08/738,044
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540-541, 340/825.01, 340/567, 364/557, 364/198, 364/156, 364/528.1, 364/528.11, 364/528.12
• US Class Current: 700/277
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/16 Special arrangements for conducting heat from the object to the sensitive element
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0425 Safety, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/193 using focusing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0201 Thermal arrangements, e.g. for cooling, heating or preventing overheating
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/18 Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components H05K1/0201, H05K1/023, H05K1/0243, and H05K1/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A multifunction sensor provides a plurality of parameter sensors in one sensor module which can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment such as a commercial building. The multifunction sensor comprises at least an occupancy sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a temperature sensor. A common network communications and control processor is coupled to a common communication transceiver, and are shared in common by the occupancy sensor, the ambient light sensor and the temperature sensor, such that the multifunction sensor can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems. A plurality of the multifunction sensors are placed at different locations throughout the building. The multifunction network sensor system further comprises energy management and security controller systems, and a common data communication network which connects to the multifunction sensors and the controller systems to form a local operating network in the building. Each multifunction sensor is assigned a unique location address, and can transmit and receive data, including its own unique address, over the data communication network.

Claims

1. A multifunction sensor module providing a plurality of parameter sensors in one sensor module housing which can interface with and control operation of one or more building automation controllers in a networked building, comprising:

a. a single sensor module housing for enclosing and housing

i. an occupancy sensor,

ii. an ambient light sensor,

iii. a temperature sensor,

iv. a common network communications and control processor coupled to a common communication transceiver which are shared in common by the occupancy sensor, the ambient light sensor, and the temperature sensor, and wherein the multifunction sensor is assigned a unique location address; and

b. the common transceiver includes means for transmitting and receiving data over a local operating network employing a distributed control system date, communication protocol and a common system bus connected in a distributed control system, which includes a plurality of sensors and a plurality of building automation controllers for the building, wherein each controller receives data over the system bus directly from one or more sensors, and the transmitting and receiving means includes means for directly interfacing with and transmitting data directly to one or more of the controllers, and the transmitting and receiving means further includes means for receiving data, including its own unique address and data for sensor node configurations, over the system bus.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitting and receiving means includes means for employing a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) data communications protocol.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transmitting and receiving means receives data on sensor node configuration from network installation and configuration tools.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the occupancy sensor comprises a passive infrared sensor, and further including means for mounting the temperature sensor to be open and exposed to a flow of air from an environment being monitored, and means for mounting the passive infrared sensor secluded from the temperature sensor in a position not exposed to a flow of air from the environment being monitored.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the temperature sensor is shielded from direct exposure to and heat from sunlight.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the temperature sensor and passive infrared sensor are mounted respectively on opposite back and front sides of a printed circuit board.

7. A multifunction sensor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ambient light sensor is also mounted on the front of the printed circuit board.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the occupancy sensor comprises a passive infrared sensor which provides a first occupancy output signal for security systems and a second different occupancy output signal for energy management control systems.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multifunction sensor comprises a wallmount multifunction sensor mounted upon a wall or in a corner.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multifunction sensor comprises a ceiling mount multifunction sensor mounted upon a ceiling.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multifunction sensor comprises a wall switch multifunction sensor mounted recessed in a wall switch receptacle box mounted recessed in a wall.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in combination with the distributed control system local operating network which includes a plurality of the controllers and a plurality of the multifunction sensors which are placed at different locations throughout the building.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein each transmitting and receiving means includes means for employing a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) data communications protocol.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the transmitting and receiving means receives data on sensor node configuration from network installation and configuration tools.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plurality of multifunction sensors includes a wallmount multifunction sensor mounted upon a wall or in a corner, a ceiling mount multifunction sensor mounted upon a ceiling, and a wall switch multifunction sensor mounted recessed in a wall switch receptacle box mounted recessed in a wall.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the local operating network includes one or more lighting controllers which receive data on occupancy and ambient light from one or more of the multifunction sensors.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the local operating network includes one or more security controllers which receive data on occupancy or intrusion from one or more of the multifunction sensors.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the local operating network includes one or more heating, ventilation and air conditioning controllers which receive data on occupancy and temperature from one or more of the multifunction sensors.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the local operating network includes one or more demand side management controllers which control and manage electrical loads dependent upon electrical demand and which receive data on occupancy, temperature and ambient light from one or more of the multifunction sensors.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the local operating network includes one or more presence monitors which receive data on occupancy from one or more of the multifunction sensors.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the data communication network is connected by a twisted wire pair.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein each occupancy sensor comprises a passive infrared sensor, and further including means for mounting the temperature sensor to be open and exposed to a flow of air from an environment being monitored, and means for mounting the passive infrared sensor secluded from the temperature sensor in a position not exposed to a flow of air from the environment being monitored.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the temperature sensor is shielded from direct exposure to and heat from sunlight.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the temperature sensor and the passive infrared sensor are mounted respectively on opposite back and front sides of a printed circuit board.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the ambient light sensor is also mounted on the front of the printed circuit board.