Multiple optical designs for a multifunction sensor

• US 5,973,594 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): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C.
• Application Number:
  US08/736,864
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/511, 340/517, 340/521, 340/522, 340/531, 340/541, 340/555, 340/565, 340/567, 340/578, 340/600, 359/642, 359/722, 250/339.01, 250/339.02
• US Class Current: 340/506
• 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: 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 universal multifunction sensor having multiple optical designs and providing 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. The universal multifunction sensor comprises a passive infrared occupancy sensor and an ambient light sensor. A common network communications and control processor coupled to a common communication transceiver are shared in common by the occupancy sensor and the ambient light sensor, such that the multifunction sensor can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment. A segmented lens array comprises a plurality of lens segments forming a lens array for directing infrared radiation onto the passive infrared occupancy sensor, a cubicle wall mount lens array providing a wide field of view and a very short range detection optical pattern; whereby the universal multifunction sensor can be provided with a segmented lens array designed to optimize the field of view and motion detection for a particular mounting application.

Claims

1. A universal multifunction sensor having multiple optical designs and providing 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, comprising:

a. a passive infrared occupancy sensor;

b. an ambient light sensor;

c. a common network communications and control processor coupled to a common communication transceiver which are shared in common by the occupancy sensor and the ambient light sensor, such that the multifunction sensor can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment; and

d. a segmented lens array comprising a plurality of lens segments forming a lens array for directing infrared radiation onto the passive infrared occupancy sensor, selected from one of the group of segmented lens arrays comprising;

a wide view wall mount lens array providing both a wide field of view and both a long and short range detection optical pattern;

a hallway wall mount lens array providing a narrow field of view and a long range detection optical pattern;

a cubicle wall mount lens array providing a wide field of view and a very short range detection optical pattern;

whereby the universal multifunction sensor can be provided with a segmented lens array designed to optimize the field of view and motion detection for a particular mounting application.

2. A universal multifunction sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the group of segmented lens arrays further includes a ceiling mount lens array providing a 360°

wide field of view and both a long and short range detection optical pattern.

3. A universal multifunction sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameter sensors further includes a temperature sensor.

4. A multifunction sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the universal multifunction sensor can be mounted in one fixture selected from one of the group of fixtures comprising a wallmount fixture mounted flush upon a wall or in a corner, a ceiling mount fixture mounted flush upon a ceiling, or a wall switch fixture mounted recessed in a wall switch receptacle box mounted recessed in a wall.

5. A universal multifunction sensor as claimed in claim 1, connected in a multifunction network sensor system which further comprises energy management and security controller systems, and a common data communication network which connects to the multifunction sensor and the controller systems to form a local operating network in a building.

6. A universal multifunction sensor as claimed in claim 5, further including a plurality of said multifunction sensors which are placed at different locations throughout the building.

7. A method of providing a universal multifunction sensor with multiple optical designs, wherein the universal multifunction sensor comprises 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, comprising:

a. providing a universal multifunction module with a passive infrared occupancy sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a common network communications and control processor coupled to a common communication transceiver which are shared in common by the occupancy sensor and the ambient light sensor, such that the multifunction sensor can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment; and

b. selecting a segmented lens array, comprising a plurality of lens segments forming a lens array for directing infrared radiation onto the passive infrared occupancy sensor, selected from one of the group of segmented lens arrays comprising;

a wide view wall mount lens array providing both a wide field of view and both a long and short range optical detection pattern;

a hallway wall mount lens array providing a narrow field of view and a long range optical detection pattern; and

a cubicle wall mount lens array providing a wide field of view and a very short range optical detection optical pattern.

8. A method of providing a universal multifunction sensor as claimed in claim 7, wherein the selection group of segmented lens arrays further includes a ceiling mount lens array providing a 360°

wide field of view and both a long and short range detection optical pattern.

9. A method of providing a universal sensor as claimed in claim 7, further including providing a temperature sensor.

10. A method of providing a universal multifunction sensor as claimed in claim 7, further including mounting the universal multifunction sensor in one of a group of fixtures selected from the group comprising a wallmount fixture mounted flush upon a wall or in a corner, a ceiling mount fixture mounted flush upon a ceiling, or a wall switch fixture mounted recessed in a wall switch receptacle box mounted recessed in a wall.

11. A method of providing a universal multifunction sensor as claimed in claim 7, further including connecting the universal multifunction sensor in a multifunction network sensor system which further comprises energy management and security controller systems, and a common data communication network which connects to the multifunction sensor and the controller systems to form a local operating network in a building.

12. A method of providing a universal multifunction sensor as claimed in claim 11, further including placing a plurality of said multifunction sensors at different locations throughout the building.