Multipoint sensing system

• US 8,022,367 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2009
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EnOcean GmbH
• Original Assignee: Liberty Hardware Manufacturing Co (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Finch, John Gerard, Xu, Jian
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta; David P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANINGCO, MARCUS H
• Application Number:
  US12/469,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20100294937A1
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 250/338.1, 250/339.01, 250/339.14, 250/340
• US Class Current: 250/340
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/04 by breaking of glass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/10 by pressure on floors, floor coverings, stair treads, counters, or tills
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1472 with force or weight detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1654 using passive vibration detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/169 using cable transducer means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/191 using pyroelectric sensor means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/193 using focusing means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 26/005 with substations connected in series, e.g. cascade
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 26/006 with substations connected to an individual line, e.g. star configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 26/008 central annunciator means of the sensed conditions, e.g. displaying or registering

Abstract

A self-powered energy harvesting unit/controller receives motion data from one or more self-powered sensors via low power wire. The energy harvesting unit sends signals wirelessly to a system to perform certain functions as a result of received motion signals or the absence of such motion signals.

Claims

1. A method of sensing motion in an area comprising;

connecting at least one sensor to an energy harvester including a controller,

placing said at least one sensor in an area to be monitored for a parameter,

receiving data from said at least one sensor as to a sensing of an occurrence of said parameter,

placing said energy harvester close to an energy source to enable usage of said energy source and

harvesting energy to power said sensor.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

wirelessly sending a signal relevant to data received from said sensor to a remote location.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said energy source is a light source.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said energy source is a thermal source.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein energy is not sent to said sensor upon an occurrence of said parameter.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said energy is not sent to said sensor for a given period of time.

7. A method of sensing motion in an area comprising;

connecting at least one sensor to a controller disposed in a housing,

placing said at least one sensor in an area to be monitored for a parameter,

providing an energy harvester on said housing,

said controller receiving data from said at least one sensor as to a sensing of an occurrence of said parameter and

placing said housing in a room near an energy source to enable said energy harvester to harvest energy to power said sensor, said energy being supplied by said energy harvester.

14. The method of claim 7 wherein said controller shuts off power to said sensor after sending said second signal for a given period of time.

8. A multipoint sensing system disposed near a light source for sensing a parameter, said system comprising:

a single cable,

a sensor connected to said cable, said sensor sensing the parameter,

an energy harvester for harvesting energy from said light source,

a housing for being disposed near said light source, said energy harvester being disposed on said housing,

a controller disposed in said housing and connected to said cable, said controller utilizing energy from said energy harvester to power said sensor, to receive a first signal from said sensor as to an occurrence of the parameter, and to send a second signal to a location remote from said housing as a function of sensing the occurrence of the parameter.

9. The multipoint sensing system of claim 8, wherein said sensor comprises a plurality of PIR sensors each connected by said cable in series.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said sensor is not addressable.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said sensor only sends a first signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said controller.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said controller is configured to shut off power to said sensor after sending said second signal.