System for physically mounting a multifunction user interface to a basic multifunction sensor to access and control various parameters of a control network environment

• US 6,285,912 B1
• Filed: 06/29/1998
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Batko, Thomas J., Ellison, David, Yu, David D., Baldwin, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai, Rijue
• Application Number:
  US09/107,085
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 700/11, 700/9, 700/10, 700/12, 700/17-20, 700/182, 700/15, 700/26, 700/23, 700/27
• US Class Current: 700/11
• 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 user interface provided as an add-on option to a more basic multifunction sensor which does not provide a display or keypad, to provide a local user interface to access and control parameters of a control network. The basic multifunction sensor provides a plurality of parameter sensors in one sensor housing, and can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems connected by a network bus in an occupied space networked environment. The basic sensor comprises at least an occupancy sensor, a temperature sensor, and a common network communications and control processor coupled to a common communication transceiver. This allows the basic multifunction sensor to interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment. The add-on multifunction user interface comprises a display controlled by a display controller and a keypad input controlled by a keypad controller, which are electrically coupled to the communications and- control processor to provide the local user interface.

Claims

1. A multifunction user interface provided as an add-on option to a more basic multifunction sensor which does not provide a display or keypad to provide a local user interface to access and control parameters of a control network, wherein:

the basic multifunction sensor provides a plurality of parameter sensors in one sensor housing which can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems connected by a network bus in an occupied space networked environment, and comprises an occupancy sensor and a temperature 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 temperature sensor, such that the basic multifunction sensor can interface with and control operation of one or more distributed processor control systems for control of an occupied space networked environment; and

the multifunction user interface comprises a display and a keypad input, which are physically mounted to and on the basic multifunction sensor, controlled by a controller, and which are electrically coupled to the communications and control processor to provide a local user interface to access and control parameters of the control network.

2. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multifunction user interface is provided on a plug-in printed circuit board which plugs into and interfaces with a main printed circuit board of the basic multifunction sensor.

3. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plug-in printed circuit board comprises a keypad/controller printed circuit board, on which is mounted a display/controller printed circuit board.

4. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plug-in printed circuit board is mounted by supports and an electrical connector to the main printed circuit.

5. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basic multifunction sensor and the multifunction user interface allow a range of products to be built, from a lower end product to minimize cost and provide basic functionality, to a high end product with a rich feature set including user interfaces and additional parameter sensor inputs.

6. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the keypad includes generic keys to allow the display to allocate different functional assignments, in a menu driven mode, to the generic keys which in turn select and control an appropriate function.

7. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein scheduler/real time clock data is imported from other nodes on the network bus to select time of day or seven day timing functions.

8. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein additional parameter sensors are connectable to the multifunction user interface or the basic multifunction sensor.

9. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display comprises a graphical touch panel which utilizes and displays a graphical icon based touch and enter input, and a control function is selected by touching the display, and then controlled by sliding a graphical icon thereon.

10. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein a multifunction user interface enclosure housing includes a window placed in front of a passive infrared occupancy sensor which provides an aesthetically smooth continuation of the enclosure housing.

11. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the keypad is located behind a door to permit access to individual controls of the keypad.

12. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 10, wherein a digital display is centrally located above the door.

13. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 2, wherein a tamper switch is mounted to the back of the main printed circuit board, to contact a mounting surface, such that if the multifunction user interface unit is removed from its mounted position, the tamper switch signals an input to the control processor.

14. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 13, wherein the tamper switch comprises a spring-loaded push button switch.

15. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 13, wherein the tamper switch comprises a remote actuator hinged leaf spring to ensure that a remote contact point is available by placing the hinged leaf spring at a mounting boss.

16. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 13, wherein the main printed circuit board is mounted in a sensor front housing cover such that the tamper switch reports an alarm signal if the unit is removed from its mounting or the sensor front housing cover is removed.

17. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main printed circuit board includes a controller, an ac/dc power supply, a memory containing programs for the controller, a clock, inputs from parameter sensors, and the controller is connected by a transceiver to interface with other nodes of the control network.

18. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 17, wherein the transceiver interfaces through a plug-in terminal block with other nodes of the control network, and the transceiver is interchangeable to allow the utilization of different transceiver types, depending upon the particular type of network.

19. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the keypad microcontroller converts a serial input/output from the common network processor to a parallel input/output for the display.

20. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basic multifunction sensor module includes a smart power supply circuit which provides auto compensation for an internal heating error due to a range of power supply operating voltages, to allow the sensor circuit to be connected to an input range of 12-24Vac or dc without the need for a user to manually select a specific setting, to selectively minimize internal thermal dissipation.

21. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 20, wherein the smart power supply circuit utilizes the network processor to monitor the power supply filtered but unregulated voltage, and dynamically regulates the input power by current limit resistor switching to selectively distribute power dissipation.

22. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 21, wherein the smart power supply circuit selects power levels or varying input voltages in by selecting combinations of input current limit resistors to selectively minimize internal thermal dissipation.

23. A multifunction user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the common network processor is connected to a service switch which is shared by an application input/output port and also by service operations.